When Slash turned 49 years old back in July, there were rumors that one of his birthday gifts would be a medical procedure to remove his top hat.

As you can see by the photo at left, the operation was a tremendous success - except that the surgeon replaced the stovepiper with a newsboy hat!

Does this betoken a new era in Slashian headwear? Will he next sport a flat-brimmed hip-hop cap? A jester's cap 'n' bells? A Marine Corps utility hat?

That's just part of the anticipation when Slash - featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators - appears Friday in the Foxwoods Resort Casino's Fox Theater. Though currently out in support of Aerosmith, Slash/Kennedy/Conspirators are doing select headline shows - and the Foxwoods appearance is one of them.

Anticipate a generous mix of tunes from Slash's career, and that of course means material from Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit and the upcoming Slash/Kennedy album called "World on Fire."

- RICK KOSTER

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, 8 p.m. Friday, Fox Theater, Foxwoods Resort Casino; the Charm City Devils open; $70; 1-800-200-2882.