Slash hands back stolen guitar

Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash showed his gratitude at a recent Hard Rock dedication ceremony honouring his music - by returning a guitar he stole from the organisation.

The ex-Guns n' Roses rocker's career was celebrated at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas recently, and Slash surprised officials by handing back a long-lost instrument he took without asking years before.

"The guitar has the best story," he said. "I stole that from the Hard Rock in Orlando (in Florida).

"It was in the dressing room. I didn't know what it was doing there, so I took it. I mean, it was in the dressing room and no one claimed it. So I've had it all these years and been playing it.

"But then I thought what better way to honour the Hard Rock for honouring me than to give it back, sort of."