Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash is among the artists added to a bill already featuring Will Smith, Bono, and more at the giant America's Millennium celebration in Washington, D.C. on December 31.

A White House spokesperson told MTV News that the New Year's Eve gala at the Lincoln Memorial (hosted by rapper Smith) will now include Slash along with John Fogerty, Edgar Winter, Foreigner's Lou Gramm and Mick Jones, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, and session drummer Kenny Aronoff. Most of these artists will perform as a band organized by Quincy Jones and co-producer George Stevens Jr.

The (almost) all-American festivities will also see R&B offerings from Usher, Brian McKnight, Luther Vandross, and others, as well as Irishman Bono and Canadian Daniel Lanois in an as-yet-undisclosed performance. The gala also includes country artists, marching bands, Broadway troupes, athletes, actors, poets, politicians, and appearances from other famous faces, most notably those of the President and First Lady.

Slash told MTV News that he pulled out of a surprise solo appearance sponsored by the city of Los Angeles that would have seen the rocker rise from the famed "Hollywood" sign in a flash of smoke and lights while playing "Auld Lang Syne." He decided instead to accept a late invitation to kibitz with Clinton in the nation's capital. He confirmed his participation with the organizers Wednesday morning and was booked on the first Washington-bound plane that afternoon.

We reached the former Guns N' Roses guitarist at a Washington hotel bar, where he was lifting a few with Welsh swivel-hipped crooner Tom Jones. Slash told us that he and Jones had just met, and he added (with tongue in cheek, we believe) that they were getting along so well, they might just form a band.

For those keeping track at home, Jones is also performing at the Millennium Gala event.

-- Sorelle Saidman