Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has heralded the impact playing at Donington Park had on the band’s career.

The group performed at the outdoor venue in 1988 when it staged the Monsters of Rock festival.

Slash, who will return to the site to play Download next weekend, said the performance was a “big gig” for the band.

“When we came down to Donington we were all tired and stuff, we went on stage and 80,000 people seriously reacted,” he told XFM.

“It was the moment or feeling that you’d really arrived. It was an important cornerstone in Guns’ explosion.”

Slash, who is performing solo at Download, also hinted that he maybe joined by special guests during his set.

Download will be headlined by Aerosmith, Rage Against The Machine and AC/DC.

(by Jason Gregory)