The rumored 2006 Reunion (Vintage)

[RONIN]

Edited September 22, 2018 by RONIN

[RONIN]

In case people don't remember the rumors flying around back in 2006:

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They would all be willing to do a reunion if Axl gave the go-ahead.

A number of years ago - a few weeks before the Hammerstein shows in NYC - there were reunion talks underway. In fact, I was told they had even sent someone to check out Stevie's condition to see if he'd be 'healthy' enough to take part. I made a post about this way back then - I was given this information by extremely plugged-in industry heavyweights. But something happened to derail the discussions, and I've never been able to find out what that was.  ... If you recall, about a year ago, Scott made a statement about this, where he mentioned the original lineup was close to a reunion a few years back.

So, if - or when - Axl ever gives the green light, the other members would definitely be onboard.

Edited June 4, 2010 by madison

In 2006, Axl Rose reconnected with Izzy, Matt Sorum, and Steven Adler. Beta had already met Slash in October 2005. Reunion rumors reached a fever pitch in early-mid 2006 as did the rumors of Velvet Revolver breaking up. It's entirely possible that Axl's 2006 press release revealing Slash's meeting w/ Beta very nearly broke up VR.

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January 2006:

Slash radio interview: (THE QUOTE THAT KICKSTARTS THE 2006 REUNION RUMORS)

"Axl has a record coming out, I think in March, which is cool, because it will be interesting to hear, after all this time."

Host: "So wait, Chinese Democracy is coming out?"

Slash: "Yeah, it’s coming out in March!"

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DATE: January 17th 2006

TITLE: Axl Rose Breaks His Silence

TEXT: Gn'R mastermind talks "Democracy" at L.A. party: "People will hear music this year," says Axl Rose, puffing on a cigar in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

The notoriously reclusive rocker is of course referring to Guns n' Roses' decade-in-the-making Chinese Democracy, arguably the most anticipated album in rock & roll history. "It's a very complex record," says Rose, a surprise guest at Korn's tour announcement bash. (Others in the house: Jessica Alba, cast members of The OC, and members of Linkin Park, Good Charlotte and the Used.) "I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns n' Roses.'" He then smiles and adds, "But you'll like at least a few songs on there."

Dressed in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, cross hanging around his neck, cornrows still intact and sporting a blonde goatee, Rose strolled into the party around 1 a.m., just as the DJ was coincidentally rocking some vintage Gn'R. Approached by a steady stream of women and hard-rock disciples -- including Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin and Papa Roach's Dave Buckner -- Rose is cordial and chatty as he poses for photo after photo. He seems more like an average guy out for a night with friends than the most mythical rock star on the planet in 2006.

And he maintains that that's exactly what he is. "The only time people ever write about me is when I go out to a strip club, because I don't chase the paparazzi down," he says. And, when he's out of the spotlight, Rose says you'll find him doing average-guy stuff: reading books and watching movies. His favorite book is Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly. "I was a little scared when I saw they were making it into a movie starring Keanu [Reeves]," he says. "But I guess if he can handle The Matrix, he can do this."

While Rose and his revolving cast of Gn'R bandmates have been working on Chinese Democracy, Papa Roach have achieved platinum status in their own right. But tonight, their drummer reverts to his teenage fan days, asking Rose for a picture and to guest on Papa Roach's next album. Rose strikes a pose and then graciously refers the fellow rocker to his management.

After all, before he lends his talents to others' projects, Rose has one of his own to finish, and he says it's getting there. "We're working on thirty-two songs, and twenty-six are nearly done," he says. Of those, thirteen are slated for the final album. Among Rose's favorites are "Better," "There Was a Time" and "The Blues."

As for a reunion with his former Gn'R mates, that seems unlikely. "I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was, but.... I was just talking to Izzy the other day though."

However, he hints that you could see the current incarnation of Gn'R back out on the road soon. "Every time there's a big festival announced, we get rumored to be on there," he says. "But we'll see what happens."

One thing's for sure: Everyone will be watching.

Written by: STEVE BALTIN

SOURCE:

Rollingstone.com

URL:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/i...ion=6.0.12.1465

 

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"[Slash and I] discuss the two versions of Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits Vol II. One is done by Axel's management. Slash says the track listing is good but the politics from Axel's management leave a lot to be desired. The other is done by Universal. Slash tells me he hasn't approved either, so who knows what'll come out." (Ross Halfin, 11/19/05)

then:

"I have to write some copy this weekend on Guns 'N Roses for a feature to go with my photos. [...] If you tell the truth it sets off too many wars, or egos way out of control. The original line-up is supposed to play Download in June with their metal chums, Metallica, if Lars can be bothered to turn up." (Ross Halfin, 02/04/06)

 

 

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GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has issued the following press release via his attorney, Howard Weitzman, Esq.:

March 07, 2006

For over 10 years Slash, a consummate press, photo and media opportunist and manipulator, has attacked Axl Rose on a number of levels. Slash's actions whether in or out of Gun's N' Roses have been a complete betrayal across the board of his alleged friendship and business relationship with Axl and the so called brotherhood and band loyalties that are supposed to have existed. Instead Slash has publicly attempted, by soliciting public and media support, to take credit for something that was not his or anyone else's to take, notwithstanding that Slash played a major part in the success of the band as Axl has continually acknowledged.

In October of 2005 Slash made an unannounced 5:30 AM visit to Axl Rose's house. Not appearing to be under the influence, Slash came to inform Axl that: "Duff was spineless," "Scott was a fraud," that he "hates Matt Sorum" and that in this ongoing war, contest or whatever anyone wants to call it that Slash has waged against Axl for the better part of 20 years, that Axl has proven himself "the stronger." Based on his conduct in showing up at Rose's home, Axl was hopeful that Slash would live up to his pronouncements that he wanted to end the war and move on with life. Unfortunately that did not prove to be the case.

Mr. Rose's attorney Howard Weitzman commented, "Axl regrets having to spend time and energy on these distractions but he has a responsibility to protect the Guns N' Roses legacy and expose the truth. Axl believes he has been left with no alternative but to respond to these lawsuits. It would have been Axl's preference to resolve disputes with Slash and Duff in private. The courthouse is not his choice of forum. However, Axl could no longer sit quietly and allow the continuing dissemination of falsehoods and half-truths by his former band-mates."

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/axl_rose_response_to_lawsuits_filed_by_slash_and_mckagan.html

 

 

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March 13, 2006

Responding to a press release recently issued by Axl Rose's attorney in which Axl made several accusations and characterizations of ex-Guns N' Roses members, Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland has apparently decided to get into the public brawl that extends from the court where Axl and Slash are fighting over the Guns N' Roses legacy, and it seems, has issued this open letter at velvet-revolver.com, according to KNAC.com:

"Get in the rinGo to the gym motherf--ker, or if you prefer, get a new wig motherf--ker. I think I'll resist the urge to stoop to your level.

Oh shit, here it comes, you fat, botox faced, wig wearin' f--k! O.K. I feel better now. Don't think for a second we don't know where those words came from. Your unoriginal, uncreative little mind, the same mind that had to rely on its bandmates to write melodies and lyrics. Who's the fraud now bitch?

Damn, I couldn't imagine people writing for me. How many albums have you put out man and how long did it take the current configuration of this so-called band to make this album? How long? And without the only guys that validated the name. How dare you! Shame on you! How dare you call our bass player spineless.

We toured our album over a year and a half. How many shows have you played over the last ten years? Oh, that's right - you bailed out on your long awaited comeback tour, leaving your remaining fans feeling shall we say a trifle miffed?! I won't even list what I've accomplished because I don't need to.

What we're talking about here is a frightened little man who once thought he was king, but unfortunately this king without his court is nothing but a memory of the asshole he once was.

Yours truly,

Scott Weiland"

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/scott_weiland_vs_axl_rose.html?no_takeover

 

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Duff was notably unbiased throughout the aftermath.

"McKagan told Launch that he would rather not get involved in the situation at all. 'I think, you know, a lot of it's really unfortunate, very difficult,' he said in an interview conducted last Friday (March 10). 'I've always just wanted to make great music and that's what I plan on doing. As far as a rebuttal to what he said, or what Slash has said, I won't get involved in a war of words, you know. People say all kinds of stuff and I'm not going to be one of them.'" (Blabbermouth, 03/14/06)

Matt, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind at all.

"Last night I went to a club called 6 and 8s. [...] Inside there was Axl Rose. Oh my God. I hadn't seen him in at least 6 years. [...] Later that evening I ended up in a loft somewhere in the East Village, where Axl was again.

We spoke for quite sometime. And it was nice to clear somethings up. I told him how great of a frontman he was while I was in the band and no hard feelings from me at all. [...] After the party ended, Axl gave me a ride back to my hotel in his suburban." (Matt, official site, 04/13/06)

 

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April 1st, 2006

A representative for GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose has shot down persistent rumors that former GNR members Slash, Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan are in talks with Rose about taking part in a "reunion" tour this summer. The rumors gained strength a couple of days ago when unconfirmed reports surfaced that Slash had picked up his gear from VELVET REVOLVER's rehearsal studios after allegedly announcing that he was leaving the band.

Rumors of trouble in the VELVET REVOLVER camp have been swirling around the group for the past few months, with several reports suggesting that much of the strife between Slash and the rest of the camp stems from Slash's wife Perla's alleged involvement in the band's business affairs. The situation allegedly came to a head last week after an attempt was made by attorneys to mediate in matters related to the lawsuits filed by Slash, Duff and Axl over the the rights to the old GNR songs.

Slash and Duff, who left GNR in the 1990s and are joined in VELVET REVOLVER by ex-GNR drummer Matt Sorum and former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland, had filed suits in 2004 and 2005 seeking the rights to the early GNR material, accusing Rose of killing deals that would have put their songs in a half-dozen movies, including "Old School" and "Black Hawk Down". Rose filed a counterclaim last month asking a Federal Court to confirm his ownership of his "creative works" and defending his decision to choose when to license the music and to whom.

At press time, there has been no official comment from the VELVET REVOLVER camp regarding any of the rumors currently making the rounds. It is also not presently clear if VELVET REVOLVER will go ahead with their previously announced plans to enter the studio on April 10 to begin recording the follow-up to their double-platinum 2004 debut, "Contraband".

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-no-reunion-with-slash-duff/

 

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Updated again: April 2nd 2006

SLASH Says That He Has Hasn’t Quit VELVET REVOLVER – Apr. 2, 2006

VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash spent time at a Los Angeles recording studio on Friday (March 31) laying down a guest guitar solo on an album from an up-and-coming female singer that is being produced by one-time GUNS N’ ROSES producer Mike Clink, informed sources have told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. When asked about his current status in VELVET REVOLVER, Slash reportedly responded that as far as he knew he was "still in the band," despite rumors to the contrary.

The rumors continued to gain strength a few of days ago when unconfirmed reports surfaced that Slash had picked up his gear from VELVET REVOLVER‘s rehearsal studios after allegedly announcing that he was leaving the band.

http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=31229

 

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Matt Sorum mentioned on his blog that he ran into Axl for the first time in six years. Sounds like they had a cool talk.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Hello my friends,

In NYC right now.

Played here with Camp Freddy on Tuesday in Times Square. It was unbelievable. We were hanging off the side of a building. Scott Weiland sang two and Donovan sang one song. Then after we finished that we went inside and played a set at The Hard Rock Cafe. Great night with a lot of cool guest. The rest of the band and party went back to LA yesterday but I decided to hang a bit. Have been to some great clubs and parties. Went to a Chrome Hearts party the other night. They make jewelry And leather. I met Cher and Usher. That was a trip to meet Cher. She was cool. Also saw old friend Lenny Kravitz there. Then last night I went to a club called 6 and 8s.

While getting out of the cab I run into Sean Lennon who was leaving and when inside there was AXL ROSE. Oh my God. I hadn't seen him in at least 6 years. I walked over and said Hello. We shoke hands. And it was pleasant. Later that evening I ended up in a loft somewhere in the East Village. Where Axl was again. We spoke for quite sometime. And it was nice to clear somethings up. I told him how great of a frontman he was while I was in the band and no hard feelings from me at all. It was an all around Good vibe I think. After the party ended. Axl gave me a Ride back to my hotel In his suburban. 

I'm head out now to meet friend Gina Gershon. She knows NY so she can show me around. Anyway that's all for Now.

Have Fun and Keep Rockin'

Love,

Matt

http://www.mattsorum.com/blog/blogframeset.html

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MAY 15, 2006

On the rumors that Slash was rejoining GUNS N' ROSES:

Slash: "I saw a thing that was put out that said something to the effect that I won't be doing any gigs until after a certain point [referring to a May 8, 2006 Associated Press article which stated that 'Slash may end up back in the band as well, but probably not before the Hammerstein shows.' — Ed.] He put out some sort of… He [GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose] did a radio interview, I guess, in New York, and it said whatever city he was gonna be playing, it said it won't be until after that… And I was like, 'Where does this stuff come from?' But before that, the whole thing was, like, everybody just assumed that I'd quit VELVET REVOLVER and I was joining… Even you guys [speaking to Matt — Ed.] thought that."

Matt: "Well, hey… You can't believe everything you read. [Laughs]"

Slash: "It was like all these rumors going around. So I just wanted to dispel that one. That one and the fact that I ever had a conversation with him [Axl] at all.'

Matt: "I told the story last week that I ran into him [Rose] in New York and actually talked to him, and it was fairly pleasant. It was very pleasant, actually, but we were both drunk, so that helped. [Laughs]"

Slash: "When we were on the red carpet last night [at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert in Hollywood], that was the first thing that I went and talked about to what's-her-face from CNN, and [I was] just so inundated with questions about what's going on with VELVET REVOLVER, supposedly all this in-band fighting going on, and then all these rumors about GUNS N' ROSES, and this and that and the other, and I was just like… I've been minding my own business, sitting at home, working on the songs [for the new VELVET REVOLVER album]. I mean, the fact that people even care enough to start rumors or keep regurgitating them… it's amazing."

Slash: "I guess that's one thing that's always gone along with that name, GUNS N' ROSES — there's always been this controversial… just talk. [Laughs]"

On VELVET REVOLVER's current status:

Slash: "We're still a band and none of that stuff [the rumors] is…"

On Axl Rose's claim that Slash made an unannounced 5:30 a.m. visit to Rose's house in October 2005 during which he stated, among other things, that "Duff was spineless," "Scott[Weiland] was a fraud," and that he "hates Matt Sorum":

Slash: "I'm not gonna go into the whole long thing. It was just something that he [Axl] decided he was going to… It was a lot of this stuff was built to promote the next GUNS record and the tour and all that kind of stuff, 'cause there was this blatantly fabricated thing in there that I'd gone to his house and that he and I had a conversation in which I said all this stuff about my bandmates. And it's just blatantly untrue. For one, I have not talked to the guy in any way, shape or form since 1996, so it's going on 11 years. [Laughs] So that's basically it. There's just no truth to it. And all things considered, it put lot of whatever in people's minds that I was that kind of a guy, so it's… there you have it. So it's not true."

On Slash's claim in a February 2006 interview that GUNS N' ROSES' "Chinese Democracy"would finally surface in March:

Slash: "I got a lot of flak for having said that, 'cause everybody through I was on glue. I'm the first guy to go… I would never have put out a date. But somebody who would know is who told me that, and that's somebody close to that side of the fence that told me, 'Oh, we got a March release date.' So I just repeated it, basically. It was somebody in the business. They made it sound like it is coming out on such and such a date. Really, I didn't realize that it was such a big deal. And I think some people were like, 'You've gotta be out of your mind.' But it was very sort of casual, in conversation."

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slash-addresses-guns-n-roses-rumors-talks-about-upcoming-velvet-revolver-album/

 

 

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June 23, 2006

Slash Rubbishes Guns 'N Roses Reunion Rumours

Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash has rubbished rumours that he was about to reunite with Axl Rose and his former band Guns 'N Roses.

The legendary rocker though refused to rule out any future association with GnR, despite working on his current bands second album. 

He told MTV News, "I don't know where [the rumours come] from, but I haven't dealt with Guns N' Roses any more than I have in the last 10 years. It’s not really a thing with me. I have, in the foreseeable future, no re-involvement with that band whatsoever."

Slash also revealed he is currently recording a second album with his current band Velvet Revolver, the follow up to 2004’s 'Contraband', and expects a release by the end of the year.

He said: "We're in preproduction and it sounds amazing. I'm just really excited 'cause hopefully we'll get this thing out before the year's over. The material is amazing and ... we've grown so much as a band. It's not phony in any way, shape or form, and the band's whole-heartedly into it." 

https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/300/9

 

 

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June 29, 2006:

Despite Slash recently claiming that he is at a loss as to where the Guns N' Roses reunion rumors are coming from, it seems that they continue to slowly gain momentum.

As was reported a little while back there was considerable talk suggesting that the so called 'classic' GNR lineup was to play last months' Download Festival in the UK, which of course, didn't happen. 

The current incarnation of the band, however, did play, and after battling through some sound issues were joined onstage by original Gun Izzy Stradlin for ripping renditions of "Think About You, Smoke on the Water/Patience, Nightrain, Used to Love Her, and, of course, Paradise City. Izzy's appearance wasn't a great surprise as the guitarist did join the band on stage for their comeback shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York in May, but he has continued to consistently appear throughout this leg of the European tour, a site that must surely warm the hearts of the still considerable GNR faithful.

However, according to Classic Rock magazine, via a GNR insider, recent attempts were indeed made by Axl Rose to reform the original band for shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, and then again for the Download Festival at Donnington Park. The magazine also reported that both were allegedly to be filmed and released on DVD with an accompanying live album to mark the 20th anniversary of the band forming. As the story goes, all parties were interested until the fine print of the contracts were examined. 

Apparently, despite the shows and the potential earning power of the subsequent CD/DVD sales, in agreeing to the terms and conditions, each member then agrees that all rights to the entire Guns N' Roses back catalogue would henceforth transfer to Axl. []

Needless to stay, negotiations stalled, but rumors persist that the lads will play the Hammersmith in the English summer and that there will be a live album preceding the eventual release of Chinese Democracy.

https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/303/9/

 

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AXL AND STEVEN MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS

(SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2006 @ HARD ROCK HOTEL)

The former bandmates were last in touch nearly a decade ago — 2006, according to Adler, when he and Rose connected in Las Vegas. He said: "It was in Las Vegas, I think, [in] 2006. [GUNS N' ROSES] was playing at the Hard Rock, and I went down. And then his partner, Del James, saw me in the audience, in the back, and said, 'You'd better leave. I don't want Axl getting pissed.' I left, I went home, I was walking in the front door and my phone's ringing. I pick it up, and it's Del. And he says, 'I'm so sorry. Axl wanted to talk with you.' So I went back. And we drank a three-thousand bottle of tequila, and we hugged, and we made our amends to each other, and it was wonderful… It was just me and him sitting at the bar with a bottle of tequila, doing shots and just talking. It was really nice. So I love him."

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/steven-adler-matt-sorum-wouldnt-take-part-in-guns-n-roses-reunion-unless-i-was-involved/

On seeing the "new" version of GUNS N' ROSES in Las Vegas in 2006: 

"First off, I walked into the venue and I saw three guys playing guitar that all looked like Izzy. It's funny that [Axl] needs three guitar players to take the place of one. He's got three guitar players to take care of [Slash's guitar duties]. That just shows how great Slash is. . . At first, his manager told me to leave. I walked in and he said, 'Dude, you better leave. I don't want Axl to get pissed off.' So I left, and I'm opening the front door to my house and my phone is ringing and I answer it and it's his manager, Del. He goes, 'Dude, I'm sorry. He wants to see you.' So I got in the car and went right back."

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/steven-adler-axl-rose-is-one-of-the-greatest-assholes-of-all-time-and-i-say-that-with-love/

 

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"Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned."

- AXL ROSE (ROCK HOF LETTER 2012)

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Mark Canter ON AXL/STEVEN MEETING:

I helped make that happen. I bumped into Steven roaming around in the crowd and got his phone number. Soon after that del had him removed because he was afraid Axl would get upset that Steven was there. Then they told Axl that Steven was there but that they asked him to leave. Axl was no you didn't have to do that, so then del asked me if I had his contact which I did so they were able to call him and get him back to the gig.

After the gig axl and Steven talked for hours and it seamed that they were cool now. The problem is at some point Steven started talking shit about the fact that Axl didn't want to do a reunion. 

although I didn't hear what they were saying to each other, I could see that Axl did most of the talking and Steven was just nodding his head in agreement. Sort of like yea I know I fucked up. Also Im sure Axl did plenty of venting about the things that he is upset with regarding Slash.

http://www.mygnrforum.com/topic/208485-axl-and-steven-las-vegas-2006/?page=2

 

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MAY 9TH, 2007

Metromix Chicago recently interviewed VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland. When asked about his relationship (or lack thereof) with GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose, Weiland replied, "Oh, man. I have never spoken to him, but I've gotten messages from him through [VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer] Matt Sorum. They speak every once in awhile. I know that [Axl] was a fan of STP back in the early days of GUNS. Well, I guess it wasn't the early days; it was just sort of mid-days, early-mid days ... I think that — depending on his mood — he vacillates between being into the idea [of Weiland playing with former GUNS members] and kinda diggin' it and then hating my guts."

After reading the interview, the webmaser of the GUNS N' ROSES fan site Here Today… Gone To Hell! contacted Beta Lebeis (Axl's assistant and close friend) to check the validity of Scott's quote. Here is her response:

"Though Axl spoke with Matt roughly a year ago, Scott doesn't interest Axl, there are no messages, no vacillating, no messages were given to Matt by Axl for Scott. In fact earlier on the same night that Axl ended up speaking with Matt when Scott saw Axl enter the same club that he and Matt were in, Scott immediately RAN out of the club which Axl's guests found mildly amusing, beyond that nothing. I was the one whom Slash spoke with when he came to Axl's house in 2005 and expressed his negative comments regarding the others in his new band. Behind the scenes it is a very different story than what the public is sold."

On May 13, 2006, Slash appeared on Camp Freddy Radio on Indie 103.1 FM and denied having visited Rose's house or saying anything that Rose claimed Slash said regarding his VELVET REVOLVER bandmates.

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scott-weiland-vs-axl-rose-part-ii/

 

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"That's been 13 years since I've played in that band, and I've done five, six albums since I played in that band and 10 tours, and Axl hasn't done shit, so I don't know what to tell you." 

 

— Matt Sorum, when asked about GN'R reunion rumors in 2007

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/12-nastiest-things-former-gnr-bandmates-have-said-about-each-other-20151112

 

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APRIL 27, 2008

"I think they should get GUNS N' ROSES back together, to tell you the truth. I think that would be the greatest thing that they could do. I think the world would be very happy. If they could stop talking trash about Axl [Rose, GN'R singer] in the press. It almost happened. The pens were ready to sign. With the 'Greatest Hits', there was a possibility [of a reunion], but there was too much stuff being said. But it was a close call. I would love to see that happen, as a GUNS N' ROSES fan. I'd pay to see it." - Scott Weiland

"I know he [Weiland] was really paranoid about that and we had to allay his fears at one point, when we were writing for [VELVET REVOLVER's second album] 'Libertad'," McKagan responded. "He got wind that our manager at that point had been talking to Axl about bringing Axl over to what was our management company back then. And Scott freaked out that we were getting GN'R back together and we weren't going to make the second record. I don't know where it came from there was no contract on the table or pens ready to sign. Maybe now he's convinced himself that's what happened." - Duff McKagan

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/scott-weiland-would-pay-to-see-guns-n-roses-reunion/

 

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MAY 10, 2010

“STP wasn’t meant to get in the way of another Velvet Revolver record. Slash and I were always straight with each other, and if it looked like there was going to be a reunion with Guns N’ Roses to do festivals that summer, it wouldn’t have bothered me. I always thought that would have been a good idea.” - Scott Weiland

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/scott-weiland-interviewed

 

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Mark Canter:

Slash and Duff did some things on there own and felt it was time to start working together again. This had nothing to do with what Axl was doing. Slash went to Axl's house to try to work out a lawsuit. The note said lets work this out or something like that. Perla was the one who pushed Slash to try to get back with Axl. She wanted a reunion more then anyone. As far as Slash talking shit about the VR guys, I'm sure it was true. Why did he lie about it at first, because he would have broke his bridge in VR if he didn't. In this case I would have also lied. Who wouldn't have? He tried to patch things up with Axl and if Scott knew about it, VR would have been over. This was the reason Slash didn't get up on stage with Steven in 2007 20th year gig. Scott was putting too much presser not to do some kind of reunion.

http://www.mygnrforum.com/topic/189917-marc-thoughts-on-vrscott-weiland-and-slashs-supposed-visit-to-axls-home/

 

Edited September 22, 2018 by RONIN

[appetite4illusions]

Lets look at things in retrospect:

Who was managing Axl in 2006? Merck.

The album needed to be completed and they were short on funds, so, maybe the business people got their foot in the door to suggest that a few reunion shows would shower them with income and provide a ton of publicity so that when Chinese was to come out, it would have both a high profile and some of the sting removed from it.

Having given the masses the reunion they wanted, nu-GN'R would have a less hostile critical reaction to Chinese Democracy.

 

Obviously, Axl never went for it and I doubt that it was something he wanted. Both of those goals ran contrary to each other, but in the run up to the album release, I'm sure there were people saying "look at it from this perspective...you're helping Chinese Democracy by doing this..."

[Blackstar]

I think there might have been some truth to those rumours, but not necessarily that the "sensational" information in the Classic Rock article was correct.

Sensational articles like this are probably part of the reason Slash now has them sign a contract.

[RONIN]

32 minutes ago, Blackstar said:

I think there might have been some truth to those rumours, but not necessarily that the "sensational" information in the Classic Rock article was correct.

Sensational articles like this are probably part of the reason Slash now has them sign a contract.

Agreed - it's framed in a tabloid-ish way. There are also a few inaccuracies in that article. Any thoughts on their claim that Axl allegedly wanted Slash and Duff to sign over their rights to the back catalogue in exchange for a multiple 7 figure reunion payout?

Edited September 22, 2018 by RONIN

[Towlie]

I'm curious to know how beta and Slash sorted their shit out from the run in at Axl's house.

[Amir]

I still find it a bit hard to believe. With the 2016 reunion, which seems to have started in 2015, Bumblefoot had left, Tommy was busy with The Replacements before they broke up again, and Ashba was either gonna be a part of it or not before he quit depending on who you believe. In 2006, Axl still had everyone from the 2002 line-up minus Buckethead. What would he have told Finck, Fortus, Stinson, Brain, and Pitman? Pretty awkward conversation  Plus, he seemed really dedicated to Chinese Democracy coming out that year.

[killuridols]

All of that sounds pretty real, knowing the kind of people Guns are..... it makes sense because at some point Axl stopped being mad at most of the original lineup, sans Slash....

Like he said at China Exchange, it was a power struggle all the way, I believe even up til 2015.

[TeeJay410]

On Axl Rose's claim that Slash made an unannounced 5:30 a.m. visit to Rose's house in October 2005 during which he stated, among other things, that "Duff was spineless," "Scott[Weiland] was a fraud," and that he "hates Matt Sorum":

Slash: "I'm not gonna go into the whole long thing. It was just something that he [Axl] decided he was going to… It was a lot of this stuff was built to promote the next GUNS record and the tour and all that kind of stuff, 'cause there was this blatantly fabricated thing in there that I'd gone to his house and that he and I had a conversation in which I said all this stuff about my bandmates. And it's just blatantly untrue. For one, I have not talked to the guy in any way, shape or form since 1996, so it's going on 11 years. [Laughs] So that's basically it. There's just no truth to it. And all things considered, it put lot of whatever in people's minds that I was that kind of a guy, so it's… there you have it. So it's not true."

 

Isn't this something of a thunderous lie? I could be mistaken but didn't he at some point confirm he did go to Axl's house? Also during the time he was fucked up again, he may not have gotten to Axl but the story certainly seems far more plausible now than it did then.

[Blackstar]

13 minutes ago, RONIN said:

Agreed - there are some inaccuracies in that article. When you say sensational, are you referring to their claim that Axl allegedly wanted Slash and Duff to sign over their rights to the back catalogue in exchange for a 7 figure reunion payout?

Yes. I doubt it happened like the article says.

If there was any truth to it, I think it was that Axl bargained an one-off reunion for a buyout of Slash's and Duff's shares in the partnership (with the reunion money being the buyout money).

39 minutes ago, RONIN said:

In 2006, Axl Rose reconnected with Izzy, Matt Sorum, and Steven Adler. Beta had already met Slash in October 2005. Reunion rumors reached a fever pitch in early-mid 2006 as did the rumors of Velvet Revolver breaking up. It's entirely possible that Axl's 2006 press release revealing Slash's meeting w/ Beta very nearly broke up VR.

Alan Niven had also commented on the "Slash night visit scandal" in 2006 with an e-mail to Metal Sludge:

http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=31199

Quote

I MANAGED GUNS N’ ROSES FROM 1986 TO 1991, AND IN SO DOING, OVERSAW THE PRE-PRODUCTION OF ‘APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION’, ‘LIES’ AND ‘USE YOUR ILLUSIONS’.

I WAS ALSO PRESENT AT SEVERAL REHEARSALS DURING THE FORMATION OF VELVET REVOLVER AND I HAVE SEEN THEM PERFORM ‘LIVE’. [I PASSED ON AN INVITATION TO MANAGE THE BAND, PRIOR TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF SCOTT WEILLAND, FOR PERSONAL REASONS].

CATEGORICALLY, SLASH IS UTTERLY ACCURATE – MR WEILLAND IS, IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, A CLUELESS POSTURING FRAUD, OF NO PARTICULAR OR OBVIOUS ABILITIES, INCLUDING, AND MOST APPARENTLY, COMPOSITION. THE BAND IS A THOROUGH WASTE OF A TRULY GREAT GUITAR PLAYER AND TERRIFIC RHYTHM SECTION. [THEIR OUTPUT HAS BEEN ENTIRELY FORGETTABLE AND ONE DIMENSIONAL].

AS FOR MR ROSE, I HAVE NO DOUBT HE IS STILL GENUINELY AND PROFOUNDLY GIFTED, AND IT IS SELF EVIDENT THAT HE HAS PROVIDED MORE INSIGHT AND MEMORABILITY IN A SINGLE LINE OF COMPOSITION THAN MR WEILLAND HAS MANAGED IN AN ENTIRE CAREER.

FOR THE RECORD, MR ROSE WROTE THE MAJORITY OF THE MELODIES AND LYRICS ON THE GUNS RECORDS, WHICH INCLUDE THE BEST SELLING ROCK DEBUT OF OUR TIMES, WITH 16,000,000 SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

HE SHARED THE SPOTLIGHT WITH INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EXCELLENCE IS REFLECTED IN SUCH SALES FIGURES.

WHAT MIGHT NOT BE UNDERSTOOD IS THAT HE, AND THE OTHER BAND COMPOSERS, EMPLOYED A COURTESY SHARING OF SO CALLED MECHANICAL INCOME – GRACE AND JUDGEMENT IN ACTION.

MR WEILLAND, OF COURSE, EXHIBITS NEITHER GRACE NOR JUDGEMENT IN HIS DELUSIONAL UTTERANCES, AND IN MY VIEW, NO DISCERNABLE TALENT EITHER.

I HAVE HELD THIS OPINION FROM THOSE VERY FIRST REHEARSALS, AND CONSIDER HIM BETTER EMPLOYED BY HIS FORMER BAND, WHERE HE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR COMPOSING ABILITIES ONCE MORE.

PERHAPS THEN WE COULD ALL GET DOWN TO THE VERY SERIOUS, AND BIG, BUSINESS OF REFORMING THE GREATEST, AND MOST RELEVANT, ROCK BAND, [DISPENSING WITH THE COURT SPATS THAT SUCK THE JUICE OUT OF LIFE ITSELF],  FOR THE DELIGHT OF MILLIONS OF FANS, A MULTITUDE OF WHICH, THE SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION OF ADMIRERS, HAVE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE FLORAL ARTILLERY IN LIVING MAGNIFICENCE.
 
THE INDUSTRY COULD CERTAINLY USE A SHOT OF GENUINELY TALENTED FIREPOWER.

SINCERELY

ALAN NIVEN

It seems that some people then thought it was fake (I guess because he defended Axl and trashed Scott), and Niven sent another e-mail saying it was really him:

Quote

 

In response to doubters, cynics and jaundiced web white noise, yes, I did indeed author the statement concerning Scott Whyslam and his remarks about Mr Axl Rose.

The primary motive was to counter an ignorant and rude diatribe; no one ought belittle Guns n’ Roses achievements or disparage their place in rock n’roll -number one is number one and 16,000,000 debut sales remain unmatched.

A secondary motive was to point out the obvious – time is now – and who wouldn’t get off the Internet to see a reunion? 

Concerning room chattering;

1. I am a vegetarian and consequently I am unqualified to be placed at McDonalds.

2. I write in caps because my eyes are full. I have seen nothing much more than a thieving world consuming its own children. Have we done nothing more than teach cannibals the use of cutlery? Is that all thats been learnt? 

There is a higher ground, y’know, where the journey is the destination. And no one gets a free ride.

So my darling little webrats, try to think before you blab or blog. 

Try to Imagine – love love and only love.

Alan Niven

 

Interesting that he took it as given that Slash really said those things.

[IncitingChaos]

9 minutes ago, Towlie said:

I'm curious to know how beta and Slash sorted their shit out from the run in at Axl's house.

Fun read, some timeline holes here and there but I imagine the label and management had the most to gain from a reunion so there could have been stuff on their end going on. 

I think Slash is pretty embarrassed by the house visit thing and likely apologized for it. It’s not something he’d want to admit to obviously. I don’t see Axl’s team making it up either. 

[RONIN]

11 minutes ago, killuridols said:

All of that sounds pretty real, knowing the kind of people Guns are..... it makes sense because at some point Axl stopped being mad at most of the original lineup, sans Slash....

Like he said at China Exchange, it was a power struggle all the way, I believe even up til 2015.

"I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was.." - January 17th, 2006

"For over 10 years Slash, a consummate press, photo and media opportunist and manipulator, has attacked Axl Rose on a number of levels." - Axl's lawyer, March 07 2006

[ZoSoRose]

I dont think Axl and Slash got so far as talking then but I definitely some funny stuff was going on behind the scenes

[Blackstar]

18 minutes ago, RONIN said:

"I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was.." - January 17th, 2006

For the record, Axl said later that he had used past tense:

Didn't you say you loved him in what -- '06?
No. I said "loved," as in past tense. It was a misquote by a writer I mistook as a fan. [Spinner, February 2009]

I think it's possible that he had used past tense, considering the context of the 2006 quote:

As for a reunion with his former G n' R mates, that seems unlikely. "I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was, but.... I was just talking to Izzy the other day though."

http://www.a-4-d.com/t2882-2006-01-16-quotes-from-axl-rolling-stone

[GnR Chris]

Crazy looking back on this. It was so long ago and doesn't even feel like it. Back i 2006, I thought it was FOREVER since Slash and Duff were in GNR, but it was only about a decade. It would be nearly another decade till Coachella. Wild ride for sure.

The salacious stories above feature a lot of half-truths though.

[GnR Chris]

The label I'm sure wanted the reunion to bolster a new GNR record. But if they got the reunion gigs, then they would have delayed the record even longer pushing for Slash and Duff to be on it. Slash couldn't have just returned for a spot show or two and then gone on his way. Who would then take GNR with Ashba seriously, you know?

If the label wasn't pushing so hard for a reunion, I think we would have gotten Chinese long before 2008.

[RONIN]

17 minutes ago, Blackstar said:

For the record, Axl said later that he had used past tense:

Didn't you say you loved him in what -- '06?
No. I said "loved," as in past tense. It was a misquote by a writer I mistook as a fan. [Spinner, February 2009]

I think it's possible that he had used past tense, considering the context of the 2006 quote:

As for a reunion with his former G n' R mates, that seems unlikely. "I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was, but.... I was just talking to Izzy the other day though."

http://www.a-4-d.com/t2882-2006-01-16-quotes-from-axl-rolling-stone

Yeah, seems plausible enough. It cracks me up how he said something positive about Slash [for the first time in years] and then 6 weeks later completely trashed him via his lawyer in that press release. 

It really begs the question - what happened between January to March 2006 to set all this drama off? 

Edited September 22, 2018 by RONIN

[RONIN]

1 hour ago, Blackstar said:

If there was any truth to it, I think it was that Axl bargained an one-off reunion for a buyout of Slash's and Duff's shares in the partnership (with the reunion money being the buyout money).

Yep - I think you nailed it. Much likelier possibility than simply asking for their stake in the back catalogue. I wouldn't put it past Rose to have presented a proposal like that - it's a slick business move that would have given a massive amount of PR for the release of CD later that year and severed all business ties with the old lineup. Win/win for Axl really.

Quote

 

Alan Niven had also commented on the "Slash night visit scandal" in 2006 with an e-mail to Metal Sludge:

http://metalsludge.tv/classic/?p=31199

It seems that some people then thought it was fake (I guess because he defended Axl and trashed Scott), and Niven sent another e-mail saying it was really him:

Interesting that he took it as given that Slash really said those things.

 

I'm a Niven apologist as you know, but reading that article - dear god, the man is a kook. 

Not sure if Niven mistook Axl's press-release for established fact but I find it rather telling that afaik Slash never released an official press release rebutting Axl's claims. And then you have all the internal turmoil in VR and Duff sidestepping the issue entirely without defending Slash in his press release. That alone speaks volumes. Wasn't there major turmoil in VR over the making of Libertad? The band vibes for VR around that time seem toxic. I can't imagine Slash was happy with how things were heading - maybe he thought VR's break-up was imminent and that's what prompted the visit to Axl's house. 

One point of interest for me is how in January 2006, you have Slash mentioning Chinese Democracy - and then weeks later, Axl says something nice about Slash for the first time since that Rolling Stone article in '99/00. Coincidence or was there a brief detente between the Axl/Slash camp in late 2005/early 2006....

Then you have this from Marc Canter:

Slash and Duff did some things on there own and felt it was time to start working together again. This had nothing to do with what Axl was doing. Slash went to Axl's house to try to work out a lawsuit. The note said lets work this out or something like that. Perla was the one who pushed Slash to try to get back with Axl. She wanted a reunion more then anyone. As far as Slash talking shit about the VR guys, I'm sure it was true. Why did he lie about it at first, because he would have broke his bridge in VR if he didn't. In this case I would have also lied. Who wouldn't have? He tried to patch things up with Axl and if Scott knew about it, VR would have been over. This was the reason Slash didn't get up on stage with Steven in 2007 20th year gig. Scott was putting too much presser not to do some kind of reunion.

http://www.mygnrforum.com/topic/189917-marc-thoughts-on-vrscott-weiland-and-slashs-supposed-visit-to-axls-home/

Edited September 22, 2018 by RONIN

[killuridols]

1 hour ago, RONIN said:

"I haven't spoken to Slash in ten years," Rose says. "I love the guy, I always wanted everyone to know how great he was.." - January 17th, 2006

"For over 10 years Slash, a consummate press, photo and media opportunist and manipulator, has attacked Axl Rose on a number of levels." - Axl's lawyer, March 07 2006

I dont know..... Im sure Axl has always loved Slash but he remained upset with Slash for a long time despite his inner feelings. Even during China Exchange, he took the chance to throw a little dagger ...... but it is normal, I guess, because unconditional love is only reserved for the offspring.

What I get from all the quotes you posted is that it is very plausible that all of that happened and still, they couldn't get to an arrangement at the time, because there were lots of people involved (something they've mentioned recently) and each of them were probably pushing their own agendas: the managers who wanted a reunion, Axl who wanted to prove nuGuns was worth it and TB supporting anything Axl wanted at the time, VR trying to survive, Slash wanting back in GN'R, Adler screaming for reunion and I don't know where Izzy was standing but he probably was up for a reunion as well.

It's funny that Axl put all the blame and fury on Slash calling him all those names in the letter...... but looking back in retrospective, those words sound like coming from someone who was terribly wounded about something and was stuck in a place of darkness, anger and frustration, not knowing how to channel it or transform it into something not so negative for his own mental health and life in general.

 

[-W.A.R-]

2 hours ago, TeeJay410 said:

On Axl Rose's claim that Slash made an unannounced 5:30 a.m. visit to Rose's house in October 2005 during which he stated, among other things, that "Duff was spineless," "Scott[Weiland] was a fraud," and that he "hates Matt Sorum":

Slash: "I'm not gonna go into the whole long thing. It was just something that he [Axl] decided he was going to… It was a lot of this stuff was built to promote the next GUNS record and the tour and all that kind of stuff, 'cause there was this blatantly fabricated thing in there that I'd gone to his house and that he and I had a conversation in which I said all this stuff about my bandmates. And it's just blatantly untrue. For one, I have not talked to the guy in any way, shape or form since 1996, so it's going on 11 years. [Laughs] So that's basically it. There's just no truth to it. And all things considered, it put lot of whatever in people's minds that I was that kind of a guy, so it's… there you have it. So it's not true."

 

Isn't this something of a thunderous lie? I could be mistaken but didn't he at some point confirm he did go to Axl's house? Also during the time he was fucked up again, he may not have gotten to Axl but the story certainly seems far more plausible now than it did then.

Slash is slyly not lying.

Its true that he and Axl did not have that conversation. Slash said what he said through the intercom to the nanny

[Amir]

1 hour ago, GnR Chris said:

The label I'm sure wanted the reunion to bolster a new GNR record. But if they got the reunion gigs, then they would have delayed the record even longer pushing for Slash and Duff to be on it. Slash couldn't have just returned for a spot show or two and then gone on his way. Who would then take GNR with Ashba seriously, you know?

If the label wasn't pushing so hard for a reunion, I think we would have gotten Chinese long before 2008.

I dunno, I feel like knowing what we do about how late in the process the songs on the album were being worked on (Shackler's being partly about the 2007 VTech shooter, Bumblefoot saying he added parts almost last minute), I tend to believe Merck's comments about "the muse" in 2006:

Quote

The reality is all of this year's touring was planned and agreed between Axl and myself, with a view to the album being in the stores before the 31st of December '06. This was confirmed by Axl in numerous interviews - most famously at the MTV Video Music Awards. We planned the tour in February, just after Axl's birthday and we were supposed to finish the album in May, before it started. We sent our engineers to New York, where we all waited, for over a month, for the muse to come but she never arrived. We then scheduled sessions in London in August and had our engineers meet us there at the end of the English tour. August came and went and once again the muse did not show. We postponed our proposed radio date of Labour Day for the first single and we came back to LA and tried to finish before the San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles shows but yet again she eluded us. Axl then asked me to postpone the North American tour which was due to start on 24th of September by a month and finally, early in that period after the euphoria of Inland Invasion, Axl made a break through and got two or three very productive days under his belt.

At this point we were very excited as Axl's feeling was that we had two or three days of work left to tidy things up and we still had three weeks before the tour started, so we were in good shape. Unfortunately the muse disappeared just as fast as she came and the tour started with no single at radio to support it and the album still needing two or three days of work. Despite this, it was a break through period as Robin, Bumblefoot and Frank had all made important contributions to the album that made it even stronger. By the way none of the above is meant as a criticism of Axl. It is the reality of trying to create something special under incredible pressure from the public - that wants and DEMANDS the record - and the record industry - that NEEDS it. The creative process is not something you can dictate and Axl is a true artist.

At this time I seriously considered postponing the start of the tour, again, as the album was of paramount importance but the reality was that our historic track record left us with very little good will with you, the fans, and we needed the money to be able to complete the album and keep the band alive. We scheduled sessions in New York and once again sent the engineers there for the first two weeks of November while the tour was based there - but the hectic touring schedule meant nothing got done. The record company refused to conclude the renegotiation until we were ready to hand over the finished album and refused to prepare a marketing campaign or commission video treatments until they had it in their hands. This is still their position as of this week.

At this point despite the success of many of the dates on the tour the pressure on all of us became unbearable. While some of Axl's letter is disappointing - As John Lennon once asked Paul McCartney "How Do You Sleep?" - until you have walked a mile in his shoes you cannot begin to comprehend the pressure he is under. I know I sleep well at night in the knowledge that when Chinese Democracy hits the streets in March that it is in large part down to my efforts over the last almost 5 years. I found the money and the motivation to keep Axl and the band alive and get the record made when everyone else had given up and walked away. We worked as a team united to make Chinese Democracy a reality. In the end the album will speak for itself but our relationship could not survive the pressure.

I have no regrets. I believe Chinese Democracy is one of the best albums ever made, Axl Rose is one of the greatest vocalists and front men and the new Guns N' Roses (which kicks the shit out of the old) is one of the greatest bands. What we accomplished in 2006 only hints at what is to come.

I believe in Axl Rose. I am the artist's manager and it is my responsibility and job to take the heat. I promise you Chinese Democracy is worth it and you should keep the faith. I will walk away knowing I have done my best and that next year will see Axl recognized not only as a great singer and rock icon but as one of the greatest artists of all time.

 

[CAFC Nick]

11 hours ago, TeeJay410 said:

On Axl Rose's claim that Slash made an unannounced 5:30 a.m. visit to Rose's house in October 2005 during which he stated, among other things, that "Duff was spineless," "Scott[Weiland] was a fraud," and that he "hates Matt Sorum":

Slash: "I'm not gonna go into the whole long thing. It was just something that he [Axl] decided he was going to… It was a lot of this stuff was built to promote the next GUNS record and the tour and all that kind of stuff, 'cause there was this blatantly fabricated thing in there that I'd gone to his house and that he and I had a conversation in which I said all this stuff about my bandmates. And it's just blatantly untrue. For one, I have not talked to the guy in any way, shape or form since 1996, so it's going on 11 years. [Laughs] So that's basically it. There's just no truth to it. And all things considered, it put lot of whatever in people's minds that I was that kind of a guy, so it's… there you have it. So it's not true."

 

Isn't this something of a thunderous lie? I could be mistaken but didn't he at some point confirm he did go to Axl's house? Also during the time he was fucked up again, he may not have gotten to Axl but the story certainly seems far more plausible now than it did then.

Correct.

”Slash acknowledges that he turned up at the gates of Axl Rose's Malibu house one day in October 2005, but he says it was to try to quash a messy lawsuit over Guns publishing royalties. “

Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/velvet-revolver-appetite-for-destruction-76608/

[Sydney Fan]

Where merck talks about the "muse" and mentions "she" who is that person?. I bet perla and slash rocked up at 5.30am because they were probably back into drugs. I mean who rocks up to soneones place at 5.30am for really no reason?.

I believe axls events as i beleive hes more honest than slash (flash) when it comes to stuff in general.

[Gunner927]

4 hours ago, Sydney Fan said:

Where merck talks about the "muse" and mentions "she" who is that person?. I bet perla and slash rocked up at 5.30am because they were probably back into drugs. I mean who rocks up to soneones place at 5.30am for really no reason?.

I believe axls events as i beleive hes more honest than slash (flash) when it comes to stuff in general.

Fairly certain it's not an actual person, it's just the spark that Axl needs to get anything accomplished musically. Axl couldn't find his inspiration, so nothing got done.

Also, I'm pretty certain it was said that Slash was sloshed when he showed up at Axl's gate, and Perla pushed him to do it anyway.

[chevelle]

18 hours ago, appetite4illusions said:

Lets look at things in retrospect:

Who was managing Axl in 2006? Merck.

The album needed to be completed and they were short on funds, so, maybe the business people got their foot in the door to suggest that a few reunion shows would shower them with income and provide a ton of publicity so that when Chinese was to come out, it would have both a high profile and some of the sting removed from it.

Having given the masses the reunion they wanted, nu-GN'R would have a less hostile critical reaction to Chinese Democracy.

 

Obviously, Axl never went for it and I doubt that it was something he wanted. Both of those goals ran contrary to each other, but in the run up to the album release, I'm sure there were people saying "look at it from this perspective...you're helping Chinese Democracy by doing this..."

Honestly, I think the reaction to CD would've been worse had they done that. It probably would've been a "oh look, they can play some shows together but can't make music together?" kind of thing. Giving people a taste of the thing they truly wanted and then going back to the nu-Guns line up would've been very weird, imo.