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I don't think it would have been the end of the world. Axl has a unique voice but back then a lot of people had identifiable voices. Tom Kiefer, Dave Pirner for example. It really was a waste of time waiting for Axl after the Illusions. If Slash and Duff snatched up Layne Staley or another singer of tremendous caliber then I think there could have been something even better than Guns N' Roses created. Look at what Layne Staley did with Mad Season, great songwriter. Imagine Slash and Duff with Scott Weiland in all in their prime. That could have been something.

Facts are facts.

Memories can be colored by bias.

Well I remember. Nirvana was huge. Their popularity went down but so did everything. 1994 was not a big year in music. Nirvana's moment in the spotlight was very brief. From the point Heart Shaped box was released at the end of 1993, Nirvana filmed live and in NY 2 months later, Kurt died 6 months after that. Eight months ago was April remember that? Time flies. You can't judge people by a quote they make and you can judge a band based on on 2.5 years of popularity.

Nirvana was one guy doing the songwriting and it was honest. Pearl Jam had a whole team, and their theme kind of was an affectation.

Because he didn't like Pearl Jam? Slash wore an STP hat in 1995 so he must have liked them. He also thought Nirvana were 'brilliant'. He has his own style and that'd be kind of insulting, like telling someone they are pretty but that they should get a breast augmentation.

This is kind old news by the way. I'm not certain what else can be learned from a few quotes here and there. Ultimately Slash and Axl didn't get along and that was it. There were a lot of barriers and inequities and the relationship ended.