Jump to content

The night Axl had to be ‘arrested’ to get him to the gig on time


Recommended Posts

http://metalhammer.teamrock.com/features/2014-05-30/the-night-axl-had-to-be-arrested-to-get-him-to-the-gig-on-time

What do you do when you're supporting the Rolling Stones and your singer doesn't show? Call the police.

1989 hadn't been good to Guns N' Roses.

Axl Rose had sent much of the year publicly defending the band's song One In A Million against accusations of homophobia and racism, while behind the scenes things were falling apart. Axl was missing rehearsals, Izzy Stradlin had been arrested for urinating in the aisle during a flight to LA before being punched by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil at the MTV awards, and heroin was a growing problem.

Then the Rolling Stones came calling, offering the band the main support slot on their US dates. Feeling that Guns N' Roses wouldn't be able to complete an entire tour, the band's then-manager Alan Niven negotiated a million dollar fee for a four night stint at the LA Coliseum.

280,000 tickets were snapped up, and by the day of the show ticket brokers were selling single seats for up to $700. As showtime approached, the tension grew: not only was there the usual air of danger around Guns N' Roses, but the press had been amplifying the Stones/Roses rivalry, suggesting it was time for the old guard to pass the torch onto the new. Only problem? Axl Rose, disenchanted by his bandmates' behaviour, was nowhere to be found.

Alan Niven takes up the story:

"The day of the first show [October 18], Brian Ahern [the Stones’ production manager] comes to me and he goes: “Your guy’s not here. Tell me what I’m supposed to do.” I said: “Do you have a contact in the LAPD who is an absolutely no-questions-asked guy?” And he said: “I do.” So the guy came in and I told him: “I’m going to give you an address.” And it was Axl’s apartment. I said: “I want you to immediately send two no-questions-asked uniforms to this address, get the occupants out of that condominium in any which way they can, and bring them right here – in handcuffs if necessary.”

"They went and got him, and the band arrived on stage a mere twenty minutes late. I’m standing in the backstage feeling pretty damn clever. And that’s right at the moment that Axl announces this is going to be the last show and he’s going to retire."

Edited by Huge fan
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What gets me about this is that it was the STONES. One of the bands Axl really looked up to. One of the bands they covered (Jumpin' Jack Flash). He said later that it had been a lifelong dream to open for them. And with all of that, he couldn't show those gigs and the band he idolized enough respect to show up on time? They had to forcibly bring him to the show?! I really don't get that at all. It's one of those things that makes one realize that he just doesn't, shall we say, perceive the world and interact with it the way other people do...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Who were the other people in the appartment?

Now this is what we have to do to make him deliver CD2. Great idea. Someone call the cops and have TB kicked out of the house. Put Axl in handcuffs behind a microphone and don't release him until he's recorded 21 songs.

Where is Alan Niven when you need him!!??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know we rly have no clue what goes on in axls life and why he's always late even to huge stuff like opening for the stones! I honestly don't understand how yiu can miss/forget to be on time to these things I can't even sleep when. I have something due the next day... You know axl has been known to be a bit of a pot head right? Maybe this guy just gets so blown (he has access to some great shit I'm sure) that he's couch ridden. Combine weed with prescription drugs (or whatever else) and he probably had no Fukin clue what time and maybe sometimes what day it was. Cellular devices weren't what they are now people didn't look at phones 24/7 like today.. Maybe he just got constantly caught up in his own life/ brain stuck on the couch.. I know I've been at a point where I could give 2 shits about any contact with the world no clue what time it is or day and just stuck on the couch for who knows how long.. And I'm not a rockstar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is not an uncommon problem. Many people suffer this condition and I don't think it is related to drug abuse, it's just a personality trait.

For example, Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo is more famous for her "arriving late" scandals than her work at the search engine: http://www.businessinsider.com/marissa-mayer-has-a-bad-habit-of-being-late-all-the-time-2013-1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Axl announces this is going to be the last show and he’s going to retire."

?

He said something along the lines of "If certain people in this band can't stop dancing with Mr Brownstone, these will be the last Guns N' Roses shows you'll ever see".

edit:

10.18.89 - Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

opening for: The Rolling Stones

set: It's So Easy, Mr. Brownstone, Out Ta Get Me, Move To The City, Patience, My Michelle, Rocket Queen, Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome To The Jungle, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Paradise City

audio/video recording?: audio, video [incomplete]

notes: Before the 1st song, Axl gives his famous 'One In A Million' speech. Before 'Mr. Brownstone,' Axl says that unless some people stop dancing with 'Mr. Brownstone,' these will be the last GN'R shows (referring to the opening dates for the Stones). Axl falls off the stage during 'Out Ta Get Me!,' later he says it was due to bad footwork. The 'Suicide Horns Section,' featuring Duff's brother Matt, play horns on 'Move To The City.'

Edited by RickRoses
Link to comment
Share on other sites

And it's happenings like these why Axl felt he had to get the GN'R name in his own hands to protect himself.

If you ask me, it's things like Axl not showing up and pouting at home that should have forced the OTHER members to secure the name to protect THEMSELVES.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If this was about any other person i wouldn't believe it but because it's Axl im not even the slighest bit surprised. What a fascinating human he was/is.

So true....ya wonder what is going on inside his head....'small town white boy (hick)' , multiple issues growing up, has been raped/molested, makes it to LA/Hollywoood and becomes the greatest (top 5) singer/frontman of all time....and mix in more drugs/alcohol/users than one can imagine....its a wonder he can still function....seriously.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...