Velvet Revolver auditioned some heavy hitters in their quest for that “big name” lead singer who will carry them to glory and further pad Matt Sorum’s bloated checking account. The likes of Lenny Kravitz, Royston Langdon, Axl Rose’s kid brother and that castrato monk have all been passed over to make room for the big dog.

They needed a man with the pipes of Rob Halford, the swagger of Sebastian Bach and the raw machismo of ‘68 Comeback Special Elvis. Placido Domingo was at the top of that short list. Go hard or go home, Sorum.

The renowned tenor will join the band for rehearsals in Hollywood after his tour de force performance at the Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Domingo will be crashing at Matt Sorum’s snake house and starting an intensive exercise regimen in order to fit into Scott Weiland’s old pants.

Expect their new album, tentatively titled “La Fanciulla del Sucker Train Blues,” to be released in the summer of 2009.