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An open Letter from Axl Rose


dobadog

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Guns N’ Roses regrets to announce that the following concert tour dates have been canceled:

January 10: Sacramento

January 11: Bakersfield

January 13: Reno

January 16: San Diego

Because of the scheduling of these particular shows, valuable time needed by the band and record company for the proper setup and release of the album “Chinese Democracy” would have been lost. Rather than delay the album yet again, all involved have decided to remove these shows from GN’R’s schedule. We hope our fans understand and we apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused. Tickets may be refunded at point of purchase.

To say the making of this album has been an unbearably long and incomprehensible journey would be an understatement. Overcoming the endless and seemingly insane amount of obstacles faced by all involved, notwithstanding the emotional challenges endured by everyone -- the fans, the band, our road crew and business team -- has at many times seemed like a bad dream in which one wakes up only to find that they are still in the nightmare. Unfortunately, this time it has been played out for over a decade in real life.

The true, ongoing, behind-the-scenes triumphs and casualties are much more complicated than any negative speculation that the media or otherwise has managed to hit upon. For much of the time, various legal issues have arisen, demanding that the best way to deal with these things publicly, quite frankly, was to keep our mouths shut in an attempt to ensure the best outcome-- especially one that wouldn’t jeopardize the band or the album. It’s easy for people to point out how others have handled similar situations or how they would have dealt with these issues themselves if they encountered them in their own lives. But again, without full knowledge of the various dynamics and circumstances involved, these types of comments or commentary are just uninformed, disassociated, generally useless -- and often hindering --speculation.

When I agreed to do our recent North American tour, I did it with the understanding that my manager, Merck Mercuriadis, and I were in full agreement regarding our strategy and touring plans and, most important, that any and all things needed to release the album by Dec. 26 at the latest were in place. Unfortunately, it turned out that this was not the case, and I regret to say that the album will not be released by the end of the year. Although many things went extremely well and were very exciting, there were, in our opinion, unnecessary and avoidable complications on our tour having to do with the tour routing, scheduling and album and video plans that wreaked havoc on all involved. This was compounded by an overall sense of a lack of respect by management for the band and crew and each individual's particular expertise that has resulted, unfortunately, in the end of both Guns’ and my managerial involvement with Merck Mercuriadis.

In regard to a release date for the album itself, certain minor - aand I do mean minor -- additions, as well as contract negotiations, need to be completed. Barring any unforeseen complications, these things have now been adequately scheduled. The band and I, along with our record company, feel that this record deserves the proper setup and promotion, not the “13 Tuesdays left” and “It may just appear in your record store” approach offered by management. We believe this strategy may have been used as a tool by management to sell this latest tour to the various promoters, and if this was the case, this was obviously unfair to them. The stress of dealing with this situation has been considerable for everyone, including the band, but more important, in our opinion, it was something utterly insane to do to our fans. You have our apologies, and please know we have been laboring over this with management for the entire North American tour.

It takes approximately eight weeks for an album to hit the shelves once it has been turned in to the record company. For whatever reasons, it appears that it may have been mistakenly inferred by management that this time period could be condensed to three weeks. With that being said, this is not a promise, a lie or a guarantee, but we do wish to announce a tentative release date of March 6. This is the first time we have done this publicly for this album. Others have made up all the other dates for their own reasons. We would like to assure the fans that everything in our power will be done to meet this date. Once it is finalized and official, you will be notified. If we are delayed for unseen reasons, you also will be notified as soon as possible in regard to a new date, and the album will be released as shortly thereafter as is possible. We thank you for your patience.

In the end, it’s just an album, but it’s one that I, the band, our record company and all involved believe and feel is a true Guns N’ Roses album. Ultimately the public will decide, and regardless of the outcome, our hearts, lives and our passion has been put into this project every step of the way. If for no other reason, we feel those elements alone merit your consideration. We do hope you can hold on just a bit longer, and if not, please take a break and we’ll be more than glad -- if you so choose -- to see you again later.

Once again, we offer our sincere apologies and our deepest thanks. Guns N’ Roses also would like to thank all the fans who attended the 70 concerts in 21 countries for their support in 2006. All the best to each and every one of you over this holiday season, thank you and God bless.

Sincerely,

Axl Rose

This was compounded by an overall sense of a lack of respect by management for the band and crew and each individual's particular expertise that has resulted, unfortunately, in the end of both Guns’ and my managerial involvement with Merck Mercuriadis.

so Merck is out, and after quiting Sanctuary. Oh, too bad for him, not i car too much :D

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So the album isn't completed, right ?

But hey think positive.. It's only minor additions. :P

Oh and to the topic starter: The March 6th they hope to announce a date, not release the album like the topic might suggest.

edit: oh it's me who misread it :P Well.. Better this way ^^

Edited by Gunner
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Okay.

From Axl's open letter, what do we have?

First of all we have:

Guns N’ Roses regrets to announce that the following concert tour dates have been cancelled:

January 10th Sacramento

January 11th Bakersfield

January 13th Reno

January 16th San Diego

Due to the schedule of these particular shows valuable time needed by the band and record company for the proper setup and release of the album Chinese Democracy would be lost. Rather than delay the album yet again all involved have decided to remove these shows from GNR’s schedule. We sincerely hope our fans understand and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. Tickets may be refunded at local point of purchase.

Fair enough. I feel for those who have lost out on these occasions to see Guns N' Roses. But would you want to hinder the release of Chinese Democracy?

Refunds all around :) You'll get your chance another time, and at least you will be treated with Chinese Democracy material...

Of course you could always travel to other shows.

I think that is the only negative thing to come from his letter. Honestly.

...not only do I regret to say that again the album will not be released by the end of the year.

And that. But did that come as a surprise to anyone? Really?

Did any of you notice:

...there were in our opinion unnecessary and avoidable complications on our tour having to do with the tour routing, scheduling and album and video plans that played hell on all involved especially our crew.

At least we know now, there is a proper single/video release, despite many speculations granted on this forum...in fact, Axl mentioned some video plans in the Eddie Trunk interview, quite a while ago. Maybe this was cut short by the touring plans.

This was compounded by an overall sense of a lack of respect by management for the band and crew and each individual’s particular expertise that has resulted unfortunately in the end of both Guns and my relationship in having a management or sense of band involvement with Merck Mercuriadis.

Goodbye Merck '2005 is the year of Guns N' Roses' Mercuriadis. What's a Merck???

Both the band and I along with our record company feel that this record deserves the proper setup and promotion not the “13 Tuesdays left” and “it may just appear in your record store” approach offered by management.

At least we are reasurred that some promotion will take place some time soon. Harley Davidson, anyone?

The stress of dealing with this situation has been considerable for everyone as well as to the band themselves as a whole but that this was more importantly in our opinion something utterly insane to do to our fans.

Does everyone remember those rumours of Axl having arguements or fights backstage with Tommy? And on-stage, told by our wonderful friends, Pigeons of Shit Metal.

This whole thing has not only been hard on us fans, but the band too. Take that into consideration. Blame who you want but why would the band want to do something so ridiculous when their already tarnished reputation is at risk?

It takes approximately 8 weeks for an album to hit the shelves once it has been turned in to the record company. For whatever reasons it appears it may have been mistakenly inferred by management that this could be condensed to three. That being said this is not a promise, a lie or a guarantee but we do wish to announce a tentative release date of March 6th.

Merck is one hell of a manager.

But maybe Merck got a little over-excited and forgot to take his pills, who knows.

The tentative release date of March 6th...

In my personal belief, this date is only tentative because of the fact that they have no manager now; the reason he chose to mention it in the same paragraph discrediting management.

This is the first time we have done this publicly for this album. Any and all other dates have been made up by others for their own reasons. We would like to assure the fans that though tentative everything in our power will be done to meet this date. Once it is finalized and official you will be notified. If we are delayed for unseen reasons you will also be notified as soon as possible in regard to a new date and the album will be released as shortly thereafter as is possible. We thank you for your patience.

We are offered a promise of more future communciation from the Guns camp :) More hope for the future.

Once again, our sincere apologies and our deepest thanks, Guns N’ Roses would also like to thank all the fans who attended the 70 concerts in 21 different countries for their support in 2006. All the best to each and every one of you over this holiday season, thank-you and God bless.

Thanks Axl :)

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So the album isn't completed, right ?

But hey think positive.. It's only minor additions. :P

Oh and to the topic starter: The March 6th they hope to announce a date, not release the album like the topic might suggest.

edit: oh it's me who misread it :P Well.. Better this way ^^

Uh, no the march 6 date is a tentative release date, not a release announcing date

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truth and honestly at lasst. For the first time i feel there really is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is March 6 or there abouts. Thank you Axl for this letter which i truely respect you for writing. And now mercks gone maybe they can get some proffesional management, proper advertising and sort out those minor things that need to be sorted, and then roll on Chinese Democracy. Yeeeeeah!!!!! My god i actually feel really excited about this like we have got something real to focus on for the first time!!!!!!!!!

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At last, news worth reading and it comes for the man himself. Great letter Axl, in future you should do your own communicating with your fans.

To Axl and the band, thanks for a wonderful tour this summer, we hope you can come back soon. Have a wonderful Christmas and next year will be even 'Better' for Guns and their fans.

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Actually I don't feel so bad that the album is delayed. Merck is gone, time to celebrate! Maybe the new management can pull this off and finally get the album out with Guns.

Edited by Epic
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Well guys we all wanted news and that statement from Axl said a lot to me.

1) Guns N' Roses have publicly announced a tentative release date for March 6th 2007.

2) Guns N' Roses have ended their professional relationship with Merck Mercuriadas (feeling he did not respect them?)

3) It wasn't Axl who was bullshitting us. We were right - It was management.

Thoughts on the statement guys?

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That is ALL I wanted.

Okay, the record never came out, but we got an explanation from the man himself.

We all knew Merck was not capible of delivering the record, without having the backstage veiw.

Yes, I forgive Axl and the rest of Guns N' Roses, solely because they had to deal with Merck.

Axl stuck it to the man with that comment!!! :)

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Wow! We have some news this morning.. :)

I'm glad that Merck is gone, he wasn't doing a good job with the band. :no:

They a need a new management,to help us to release the album.

Axl words were amazing,he should do that more often!! :heart:

We don't have CD but hey they gave us a great year.. rock1

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I said it before and I say it again, I'm so fucking happy today.....this could be one of my happiest days in the last month (except for last week sunday, when I took a Viagra and f*cked like only Road Runner could do!)

So my dear friends.....I'm so fucking happy, I can't believe it. For the first time GNR camp opens up!!!!

I love GNR, I love music, I love bands, I love Axl (damn, that must have been the gayest thing I ever said), and I deffinately love my fellow board members and GNR fans.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I shitted my pants!!! I'm happy!!!!!!

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Now that Merck is gone Axl can do whatever the fuck he wants meaning..........at those 3 LA shows we'll probably hear some new songs like Sorry or Prostitute. He has no one to tell him what to do so he'll be doing what he feels like doing and obviously he wants to play those songs since they were on that setlist picture.

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The good thing about this letter, that people have failed to mention is Axl's sympathy for the fans. This is better than any other info he has stated, we can see he is very apolagetic to the fans, and offering a release date for the first time. It reassures us that we are not getting treated like shit. It's alot better than tommys "people don't know whats going on... Get on board or fuck off".

Now, that "honesty and respect for the fans" thread can be closed now.

Still no explanation for the cancellation of that last show though - However, I wasn't going to it, so I'm not that fussed. Although I'm thinking legal reason it cant be mentioned.

Edited by Axl_morris
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Well said Nathalie, it's been a great year for a Guns N' Roses fan and hey at least we know what is going on now. There are plans for a music video etc. This just shows people like Kaneda that Axl is not the liar and asshole he is made out to be, when you having someone speaking for you it rarely comes off as it should.

This statement was honest and professional. It showed that Axl & the band have a lot of love for their fans and they are pushing hard now to have the album released.

The wait is a little longer but hey I'm on board. :)

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