Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has recorded a version of Elton John's 1972 classic, "Rocket Man", in support of Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun's upcoming attempt at Evel Knievel's jump across Idaho's Snake River Canyon.
Braun will use a steam-powered rocket to launch over the Snake River a few miles down from Twin Falls, Idaho on September 17.
The event will see Braun attempt to complete the September 8, 1974 jump failed by Knievel when his X2 Skycycle saw its parachute deployed prematurely, halting the rocket’s momentum and the daredevil crashed within the canyon’s walls.
That jump was a bigger event than Super Bowl VIII that year, putting Knievel on the cover of Sports Illustrated while his jump was the most-watched television event of 1974, with 49% of US households tuning in to watch.
Braun created a Kickstarter campaign to help pay for the 2016 stunt in an effort "to bring this to the masses."
Slash received Elton John's permission to record the new "Rocket Man" version for use as the theme music for the Kickstarter campaign.
Each person who donates to the campaign will receive a download of "Rocket Man" performed by Slash with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators at Sunset Sound Studio in Hollywood.
"I approached the rock icon Slash, who I knew to be an Evel Knievel fan, and asked if he would be interested in being involved with my rocket project," explains Braun. "He gave us the most awesome gift we could ever dream: a theme song!
"Slash got permission from Sir Elton John to re-record his 1972 hit song 'Rocket Man' specifically for our project. Slash suggested we include the song with every reward so every single backer of our Kickstarter campaign gets it. So that's what we're doing!
"I'm so honored to have been given the most epic theme song, by the most epic guitarist of all time!"
“This is going to be epic in every sense of the word,” tweeted Slash. “Check it out!
Viewers can watch Braun’s September 17 Snake River Canyon for a Kickstarter donation of just $5; for $10 and more, supporters will received the Slash recording alongside other goodies.
Slash is currently playing dates across North America with Guns N’ Roses on their Not In This Lifetime reunion tour.
The summer shows wrap up at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on August 22.
This is going to be epic in every sense of the word; check it out! https://t.co/URhBDn6IU0 support my pal @Crsh4csh #EvelSpirit iiii]; )'— Slash (@Slash) July 29, 2016
See also:
VIDEO: Guns N’ Roses reunion tour hits New Orleans
VIDEO: Guns N’ Roses rock Orlando with The Cult
VIDEO: Guns N’ Roses bring Not In This Lifetime reunion tour to Atlanta
Guns N’ Roses reunion tour has no end date
Search Guns N Roses at hennemusic
