Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke has shot down reports that he has left ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, the band he formed with Tommy Lee (MÖTLEY CRÜE), Jason Newsted (VOIVOD, ex-METALLICA) and Canadian vocalist Lukas Rossi.

ET Canada reported earlier in the week that ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA was "over" following Clarke's decision to leave the band. [To watch the ET Canada report, go to this location and click on "Supernova to Change Name" from a list of videos at the bottom of the page.] However, in a statement issued earlier today (Saturday, April 14), Clarke said, "I have not left ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA. We just finished the tour. I don't know where they got that from. I did an interview with ET Canada, and we talked about the future of the band, but I never said I've left the band."

ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA's self-titled debut album has shifted less than 56,000 copies in the United States since its November 2006 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Although Rossi didn't comment on the rumors that Clarke had exited the band, he told ET Canada that "there will be a name change… the best is yet to come!" He also said that he is working on lyrics for a new album.

There is no word yet if Newsted will continue to be involved with the group, which completed a U.S. tour in February with THE PANIC CHANNEL as support.

The band lost Newsted in October 2006 after an accident that resulted in a torn anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a rotator cuff and bicep tear in the right (bassist Johnny Colt of BLACK CROWES/TRAIN filled in during the aforementioned trek). Newsted suffered the injuries while trying to catch a 90-pound bass head that had fallen from atop his amp. The combination of surgery and a lengthy rehab assignment left him sidelined for up to nine months.

"Rock Star Supernova" was certified gold in January for Canadian sales in excess of 50,000 copies.