gnrfan2007

What legacy,artistic integrity and respect? The only people who feel that way about the new band are people like you and me. Lets be honest here, if Axl reunited, put out an original album and toured with the old band? THEN he'd get those things you say he has now. Most of the world's giving him the finger over keeping the name and replacing the members and the ONLY way they'll forgive the guy is if he reunites.

Sad but true.

1. Axl did not REPLACE - ie. FIRE - any of the old guys.

Slash and Duff both left on their own accord.

Go re-read the LA times interview. Slash from Day 1 wanted Axl to join his band, when it was in fact Axl who invited and hired Slash to join his band. Slash wanted his Snakepit songs - as-is, unmodified - to be the next GnR album, and Axl refused. So Slash left.

Steven was a heroine addict, and his substance abuse was affecting the sound and recording on the UYI records. And don't forget, it was Slash and Duff who replaced Steven with Matt Sorum. Now that Steven is sober, he understands why he was fired. Steven has said, that at the time, the person who hurt him the most, the one who he blamed the most for his firing, was Slash. In regards to Axl, Steven says: he’s been so generous and loving to me.

See http://love-it-loud.com/news/steven-adler-discusses-being-fired-from-guns-n-roses/

Izzy left on his accord for various reasons. The three biggest reasons we know are: 1) he doesn't like touring and the big spotlight, and 2) he didn't like the change in sound due to Matt's drumming, and 3) Slash and him, never really got along from a creative music point of view from the start. Slash was like Joe Perry with heavy distortion, and Izzy was more like Bob Dylan and Keith Richards. Izzy never wanted Slash to join the band. He stormed out during Slash's audition and was pissed at Axl for inviting Slash to join the band.

As Axl stated, it was a battle to get Slash and Izzy to work together on the UYI records. And here's a quote from Slash himself:

During Appetite..., Lies and Use Your... I had to put up with Izzy the whole time. I never liked playing with him. It was wonderful to escape him on this record. It sounds tighter and so much cooler than anything we've done before. I always got irritated over Izzy's way of playing. It didn't sound right. Before "Spaghetti", we erased his guitar and Gilby put on a new one. It sounded perfect!"

See http://heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=13

One of the reasons why Axl can not forgive Slash and calls him a CANCER is because Slash has spread lies to make people like you believe it was Axl who fired everybody! When it fact, it has always been Axl who tried to get everyone to work as a band.

Now go listen to "Sorry" from CD.

2. OLD-GnR was never respected as ARTISTS or MUSICIANS.

Nobody with any musical talent or understanding of pop culture history gives a crap about the OLD band!

They may have sold a lot of records with AFD and UYI, but selling records and artistic respect are two different things.

Justin Bieber, Britany Spears, and Lady Gaga sell a lot of records. But do people respect them artistically?

That is why when the alternative era hit, OLD-GnR got thrown out to the trash gutter, and a lot people bashed GnR, from the media, to musicians, and to the general public.

Kurt Cobain pukes when hears GnR music. Eddie Vedder can't relate to GnR's music. RHCP couldn't figure out how GnR became successful. Trent Reznor pokes fun at GnR fans. Even Moby was reluctant to give CD a listen!

And if you knew people who grew up in the 1990's, you will know that being a GnR fan post-1992 was so UN-COOL!

It took a lot of convincing on Axl's part to even get the CD lineup assembled, because nobody with any artistic integrity wanted to be associated with the GnR brand in the late-1990s.

When you study pop culture and music, nobody even mentions OLD-GnR. They may say something about heavy metal and hair bands from the '80s, but then they jump right into the subject of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and the alternative era of NEW ROCK and NEW MUSIC that began in 1991.

No music historian or critics ever lists OLD-GnR in their top 100 most influential musicians of all time!

On NEW ROCK radio stations, OLD-GnR songs never make any top 100 countdowns. But songs by the RHCP and Beastie Boys do, and they are even older than OLD-GnR!

At best, some people refer to OLD-GnR as a "transitional band" from the old classical rock sound to the hard rock sound of the alternative/grunge era. Being known as a transitional band, is not something to be proud of.

So where you get this idea that OLD-GnR is actually respected artistically is beyond me.

People who don't like GnR today, don't like them because they still associate the GnR *brand* with the 1987-1992 brand.

That is the challenge that the NEW-GnR faces. They have to overcome that bias and negative-stereotype people associate with the old BRAND of GnR. And it will only change once GnR releases music videos and does more mainstream live shows and interview in the USA market.

So to claim that if Axl suddenly has a change of heart and invites Slash and Duff back into the band, GnR would magically have more success than what they are having now, is not only FACT-less but absurd!

Having Slash and Duff back in the band would be the quickest path to IRRELEVANCY and DEATH for GnR.

With the masterpiece that is CD, not only is GnR close to being the biggest band in the world again, they are doing it so with more ARTISTIC INTEGRITY and RESPECT from other musicians from all genres of NEW MUSIC.

The quotes in Madagascar are an essential part of the song.

Maybe @axlslashduffizzysteven: doesn't like black people ... ??? :chef:

as skid row has always been my 2nd favorite band to guns, i've been trying to hear sebastian on sorry every time i listen, and i cant hear it.

Your name and love for Skid Row says it all ... keep rockin' like its 1987 dude! rock1

Because, really, you can get guys from the "Illusion" thing, but the only thing that would make it would be Duff and Slash, really. It's nothing against Izzy and it's nothing against Steven, or anything like that. Steven may want it, but these guys I'm working with right now, they work really hard and it's hard work. I've toured with the other guys and I've also seen what they've done since, and I just know the difficulties.

I don't have an excitement to work with people that joined in the "Illusion" time. There's behind the scenes that was really, really difficult there with different ones.

This part intrigued me...

hey axl, you fired steven before the illusions.

Isn't he saying that if he were going to do a reunion (which he is not), that it would be the Illusion band, not the Appetite band? I am pretty sure that is what he meant, ie. you can't count on Izzy full-time and he wouldn't want Steven in the band over Matt.

i think he's saying slash and duff are more important to guns n roses than even he is.

No. Axl is just saying the only people who would do a reunion is Slash and Duff.

If people wanted the CLASSIC LINEUP from AFD to do a reunion tour, it would never work.

Izzy doesn't do touring. Steven is unreliable and has too many issues.

Even if you could get Izzy and Steven on board, then what material will you tour on? You really only have AFD material and a few songs from Lies.

So basically, the only possible REUNION TOUR would be one that amounted to just another 1992-1993 UYI tour.

So really, the REUNION TOUR is pointless and would fail miserably.

Which is what Axl was saying about these ex-managers. Once they get their commission cut, they will just cut and run and will not give a damn when the tour falls flat on its face.

No. He's saying that a "reunion" would be a "REUNION" only if Slash and Duff are there, those two members --according to him-- are the only ones people who want a reunion care about.

So Izzy doesn't matter?

The point Axl is making is this: is it really going to be a reunion a tour with just Axl, Slash, and Duff?

Izzy will not tour. Steven would want to tour, but realistically, Steven is not talented and sane enough to play at their level. Even on the AFD songs, Axl will not want to sing with him as the drummer.

And with Steven, you only can have AFD songs.

So then, do you bring back Matt and Gilby?

So what you basically end up with is just another 1992-1993 UYI tour. And what would be the point of that?

Then add the fact that Axl doesn't like Slash and Matt ... now what?

So not only is a reunion tour pointless, it can never work!

I'm not sure I'd want that either, and I'm a pretty hardcore reunionist (who somehow still appreciates the new band by buying their music and going to see them live, 5x now). But I'd take it, because it's old GN'R and they were the best.

But it doesn't have to be a UYI tour rehash, and I don't think these guys would settle for that. I think they would mine the vaults and bring us some unreleased material. And going by the past collaborations, there's no reason to think the music would suck.

People act like they know how a reunion would go down, but they don't. None of us do. The band might discover after all this time that they actually understand each other; they are far removed now from the shit that went down and now they've got something to work towards (making GN'R the biggest band in the world again). It could galvanize them. Point is, we don't know. I doubt most of us thought we'd see Duff playing with Axl in 2011, and I doubt most of us thought Axl would actually contemplate how a reunion would go down.

As for Izzy - he's in if he wants it. If not then what can you do? Gilby or Ashba would be alright to me. I'm not a huge Fortus fan. But I think Izzy would sign on.

As for Steve - to me it should be Matt, but Steve should get to play on a couple of songs each show. Don't know how you could turn the guy away 100%. That would be fucking cold and a real asshole move at this stage and it might just destroy him once and for all.

I think it is silly to discuss daily about reunion plans for a band that stopped playing together over 15 years ago, when all key members are in other bands. Axl, Slash and Duff would be dicks if they dropped their current band members to go play with somebody else. How rude that would be.

Don't kid yourself, Kushner (VR) and the guys in GN'R have always known in the back of their minds that a reunion was possible. They have to know this. Much smaller scale here, but I just found out today that Big Wreck has reunited. Does that make Ian Thornley a dick because he left his old band? Not at all, it's business and it's creative and when a guy decides he wants to work with a certain group he is free to do so. Just like anyone else in America is free to leave what they are doing to do something else.

Dude, you're the one speculating on how a reunion tour is possible and how it would go down.

I am merely pointing out to you what Axl said in the interview:

1. What's the point of a reunion tour if it is just going to be basically the UYI lineup and they just re-hash the 1992-1993 UYI tour?

2. Not only that, putting on reunion tour is not going to be a simple walk in the park. Axl knows how difficult it will be. And just like the 1992-1993 UYI tour, it will all fall back on Axl's shoulder to manage the tour again.

So is it really a REUNION tour if its the UYI lineup?

Or are you really going to bring Steven along to play just the AFD songs?

What about Izzy? Izzy hates touring. And how much of the materials form the UYI records can Izzy actually play to a high level? Remember, Slash re-recorded all of Izzy's parts for the UYI records. So, is Izzy really going to sit down and re-learn all the UYI songs like how they sound on the UYI records?

Unless GnR wants to be the next Motley Crue, not only is the tour next to impossible to pull off, it's fawking pointless!

Especially, when the only person from the UYI lineup that Axl cares to work with is just Dizzy! And he hates two guys from the UYI lineup with a passion, and thinks another guy is "spineless" and questions his motives for the hotel incident.

And if you want new music, Axl already has a band that can create the kind of music he wants to sing to.

That is why Slash and Duff QUIT GnR in the first place! CREATIVE DIFFERENCES! Slash wanted Axl to sing exactly to his Snakepit crap, and Axl wanted Slash and Duff to be more progressive and innovative.

So to think that suddenly NOW, Axl would want to sing to the crap that Slash and Duff comes up with, is just crazy!

So in nutshell, all this talk about a reunion tour, just doesn't make much sense when you really delve into the specifics of pulling off such a tour SUCCESSFULLY!

If the best you can do for a so-called REUNION tour is the UYI lineup, then Axl is better off to just stick with what is working awesome for him right now!

All a reunion tour would do is degrade GnR's legacy and destroy all of the artistic integrity and respect GnR has gotten with the success of the CD album and recent tours post-2006.

Not only that, you will not get any new music.

So here's my prediction for the 2012 touring lineup after the HOF, from reading that interview...

Axl

Slash

Duff

Richard

Frank

Dizzy

Pitman

Where da heck did you get that prediction from? Your prediction didn't even make it to 2012! LMAO

Its like, Axl has been a LOT more diplomatic in 2011.

I like this "new" axl.

Time heals everything.

I don't want a reunion per se, I want them to be in good terms.

You mean, in 2011, Axl has been giving us more detailed explanations as to why Slash is a CANCER.

Just from this LA Times interview, it is still evident Axl has not forgiven Slash, and thinks very lowly of Slash's creative contribution to the band.

Here's the quote again:

The enthusiasm he feels for this band is evident on his face, which lights up when talking about working with former Replacements bassist Stinson, guitarists Fortus, DJ Ashba, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and the rest of the '11 Roses.

It's a far contrast to his demeanor when Slash's name comes up. Despite requests from Rose's publicist that he not be asked questions about the former GNR guitarist, Rose himself mentions his ex-bandmate's name minutes into the conversation and locks onto the subject.

Slash was a late arrival into the Guns N' Roses fold, Rose loves reminding people, and apart from a few key riffs, says Rose, the guitarist was much less involved in the songs than Rose and Stradlin.

"It was really a fight with me and Slash," says Rose of the forces that took down the band. "Izzy was doing the same thing, but the fight with me and Slash started the day I met him. He came in, popped my tape out and put his in and wanted me in his band. And I didn't want to join his band. We've had that war since Day 1."

So, I'm not sure DIPLOMATIC is the right word here.

Axl is so fucking confusing lol.... When you try to decipher what he says it makes no sense.. So his new drummers work hard but Stinson doesn't? Who knows... Personally I would love to see Axl, Slash and Duff.. That would be pretty bad ass. It is as close to seeing the classic lineup as I have ever seen anyway because I never saw them until the UYI's tour.. It just fucking blows my mind that now Izzy is the one that he wouldn't want onboard. That makes NO sense to me at all. I have had dreams of seeing Axl, Slash, Duff and IZZY play together someday. I would rather see Axl, Slash and Izzy than Axl, Slash and Duff... Axl is so perplexing lol... I never really expected Steven to be part of it. I wish he was but it ain't happening.

I am really getting the feeling that Axl and Slash are quietly mending their friendship behind closed doors.

Axl

Slash

Duff

Ashba

Frank

Dizzy

That would work for me...

Where are you getting this feeling from?

Nothing Axl has ever said or done has suggested that he is even close to forgiving Slash for the crap that he has done to him.

And from this article, we read:

The enthusiasm he feels for this [current] band is evident on his face, which lights up when talking about working with former Replacements bassist Stinson, guitarists Fortus, DJ Ashba, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and the rest of the '11 Roses.

It's a far contrast to his demeanor when Slash's name comes up.

Then go re-read the next part where Axl calls Slash a late addition hired gun to the band. From Day 1, Slash was always trying to steal GnR from Axl and get Axl to join his band. See below.

Because, really, you can get guys from the "Illusion" thing, but the only thing that would make it would be Duff and Slash, really. It’s nothing against Izzy and it’s nothing against Steven, or anything like that. Steven may want it, but these guys I’m working with right now, they work really hard and it’s hard work. I’ve toured with the other guys and I’ve also seen what they’ve done since, and I just know the difficulties.

I don’t have an excitement to work with people that joined in the "Illusion" time. There’s behind the scenes that was really, really difficult there with different ones.

This part intrigued me...

hey axl, you fired steven before the illusions.

Isn't he saying that if he were going to do a reunion (which he is not), that it would be the Illusion band, not the Appetite band? I am pretty sure that is what he meant, ie. you can't count on Izzy full-time and he wouldn't want Steven in the band over Matt.

i think he's saying slash and duff are more important to guns n roses than even he is.

No. Axl is just saying the only people who would do a reunion is Slash and Duff.

If people wanted the CLASSIC LINEUP from AFD to do a reunion tour, it would never work.

Izzy doesn't do touring. Steven is unreliable and has too many issues.

Even if you could get Izzy and Steven on board, then what material will you tour on? You really only have AFD material and a few songs from Lies.

So basically, the only possible REUNION TOUR would be one that amounted to just another 1992-1993 UYI tour.

So really, the REUNION TOUR is pointless and would fail miserably.

Which is what Axl was saying about these ex-managers. Once they get their commission cut, they will just cut and run and will not give a damn when the tour falls flat on its face.

No. He's saying that a "reunion" would be a "REUNION" only if Slash and Duff are there, those two members --according to him-- are the only ones people who want a reunion care about.

So Izzy doesn't matter?

The point Axl is making is this: is it really going to be a reunion a tour with just Axl, Slash, and Duff?

Izzy will not tour. Steven would want to tour, but realistically, Steven is not talented and sane enough to play at their level. Even on the AFD songs, Axl will not want to sing with him as the drummer.

And with Steven, you only can have AFD songs.

So then, do you bring back Matt and Gilby?

So what you basically end up with is just another 1992-1993 UYI tour. And what would be the point of that?

Then add the fact that Axl doesn't like Slash and Matt ... now what?

So not only is a reunion tour pointless, it can never work!

People who dislike GnR today, dislike them because of the old lineup and old music.

Even if Slash and Duff were still in GnR today, it would not make a difference to their USA tour attendance.

This is what Axl is referring to about a reunion tour falling flat on its face if he would ever agree to doing one. It may sound like a cool idea, but ultimately, it would fail miserably.

Are you kidding me? lol They would be able to sell out two shows a night with Slash and Duff in the mix.. This was one of the biggest bands of all time at one point. They were fucking huge. People liked the linup and music then. Besides some die Axl fanboys on these boards, those millions of fans didn't just turn on the members and the music.

If GnR reunited they would sell out arenas in minutes.. That is a fact.. To think they would be playing to half full arenas is obsurd.

EDIT: I do not know one person that went to the Worcester show. Guaranteed if it the old band reunited I would know plenty of people that went or tried to get a ticket.

No, it's not a FACT as you claim.

Which is the point Axl was making.

Everybody thinks a reunion tour would be so great and that everyone would make lots of money, but the fact is nobody knows for sure what will happen.

Once everybody gets their commission, they will cut and run!

So Axl knows better that a reunion tour will not be an instant success.

Axl is crazy if he thinks this current lineup is going to do anything

I am sure attendance has been rapidly decreasing since he took out the "New" Guns N Roses since 2002

Most people want to see the old GNR

Not really dude.

GnR died in 1992 because of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

People who dislike GnR today, dislike them because of the old lineup and old music.

Even if Slash and Duff were still in GnR today, it would not make a difference to their USA tour attendance.

This is what Axl is referring to about a reunion tour falling flat on its face if he would ever agree to doing one. It may sound like a cool idea, but ultimately, it would fail miserably.

this is extremely wrong. take the people i asked to go to gnr with me last month. i could only find 3 people to go. about 10 others that i asked to go asked me if slash was in the band yet and said they'd go if slash was in it. so, taking my experience and extrapolating it out to all the shows across the US, you'd have many more going if it were the originals.

So your sample size of friends dictate what the rest of the world will do right? LOL

Y'know, you people are all fuckin hung up on the dissolution of the UYI lineup and the feuding with Slash, but there's a helluva lotta other interesting questions in the GnR timeline. For example-

is it true Steven Adler gave Erin Everly a speedball or something to that effect?

yes!

Why wasn't Shadow of Your Love ever officially released under the GnR banner?

because it did not fit the sound and theme of AFD or UYI ... ie. it was a cheezy song

Why did Axl choose to incorporate the zodiac code in my signature (fuck em all) on the spaghetti incident cover?

to be cool

What exactly happened with Buckethead- why did he split?

Axl couldn't secure the rights to use the KFC bucket

Would Buckethead authorize songs he created during Chinese Democracy sessions to be released?

in business terms:

any songs or materials Buckethead created as an *employee* of the corporation known as *Guns n Roses* legally belongs to *Guns n Roses*

this was why Axl almost sued Slash for his Snakepit#1 songs ... because legally, the songs belonged to the corporation "Guns n Roses" because Slash created those songs while an *employee* of Guns n Roses ...

but like your zodiac sign, Axl just said: fuck 'em all!

Does Axl even want to release any of that stuff?

If any songs from the CD sessions were to be used in a new album, they would no doubt be re-worked and re-recorded. But Buckethead will still receive credits for any of his contributions, even if somebody re-worked and re-recorded them.

What exactly is the deal with the fuckin record label?

You can't live with them and you can without them.

How does Axl feel about the Hollywood Rose stuff which was released on "The Roots of Guns n Roses"?

Axl was secretly behind it all!

Ya see? There's so much more than the 1995-2000 era which could use an official opinion from the ginger one. So while I'm glad this thread has garnered some attention, please don't narrow your field of vision to such a narrow focus. There are lots of things which Axl could set the record straight on- not just the Slash bullshit. As a fan, I'm just curious if he ever plans to let us give him another homework assignment. ; )

Axl once said: he doesn't work for you or nobody!

Fuck 'em all!

See there, all your answers have been answered!

Axl is crazy if he thinks this current lineup is going to do anything

I am sure attendance has been rapidly decreasing since he took out the "New" Guns N Roses since 2002

Most people want to see the old GNR

Not really dude.

GnR died in 1992 because of bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

People who dislike GnR today, dislike them because of the old lineup and old music.

Even if Slash and Duff were still in GnR today, it would not make a difference to their USA tour attendance.

This is what Axl is referring to about a reunion tour falling flat on its face if he would ever agree to doing one. It may sound like a cool idea, but ultimately, it would fail miserably.

Because, really, you can get guys from the "Illusion" thing, but the only thing that would make it would be Duff and Slash, really. It’s nothing against Izzy and it’s nothing against Steven, or anything like that. Steven may want it, but these guys I’m working with right now, they work really hard and it’s hard work. I’ve toured with the other guys and I’ve also seen what they’ve done since, and I just know the difficulties.

I don’t have an excitement to work with people that joined in the "Illusion" time. There’s behind the scenes that was really, really difficult there with different ones.

This part intrigued me...

hey axl, you fired steven before the illusions.

Isn't he saying that if he were going to do a reunion (which he is not), that it would be the Illusion band, not the Appetite band? I am pretty sure that is what he meant, ie. you can't count on Izzy full-time and he wouldn't want Steven in the band over Matt.

i think he's saying slash and duff are more important to guns n roses than even he is.

No. Axl is just saying the only people who would do a reunion is Slash and Duff.

If people wanted the CLASSIC LINEUP from AFD to do a reunion tour, it would never work.

Izzy doesn't do touring. Steven is unreliable and has too many issues.

Even if you could get Izzy and Steven on board, then what material will you tour on? You really only have AFD material and a few songs from Lies.

So basically, the only possible REUNION TOUR would be one that amounted to just another 1992-1993 UYI tour.

So really, the REUNION TOUR is pointless and would fail miserably.

Which is what Axl was saying about these ex-managers. Once they get their commission cut, they will just cut and run and will not give a damn when the tour falls flat on its face.

Axl is not *reticent* to set the record straight.

He has when appropriate given his side of the story.

But like Axl said once, the media tends to be PRO-Slash - because Slash loves the media - so they are more negative towards anything Axl has to say.

Whenever Axl speaks, you will find a lot of folks in the media hate on him. But if Slash speaks, nobody in the media cares to call him out on it.

Hence, why Axl chooses carefully who he talks to in the media.

Now just because Axl has not written a tell-all book like Slash and Duff - and PROFITED from it - it doesn't mean he is afraid to tell his side of the story. If we piece together all the pieces of facts that Axl has given us through the years, we can piece them together to figure out what really was happening with GnR.

Axl is a DICK because he is too honest and blunt. Axl grew-up with too many people in his life lying, betraying him, and letting him down. Because of this, Axl is big on honesty and loyalty.

Axl simply has more integrity than Slash and Duff.

So if you wanted to know the real truth, Axl's side of the story would be your best bet.

And here's the latest piece of fact Axl has shared with us:

Slash was a late arrival into the Guns N' Roses fold, Rose loves reminding people, and apart from a few key riffs, says Rose, the guitarist was much less involved in the songs than Rose and Stradlin.

"It was really a fight with me and Slash," says Rose of the forces that took down the band. "Izzy was doing the same thing, but the fight with me and Slash started the day I met him. He came in, popped my tape out and put his in and wanted me in his band. And I didn't want to join his band. We've had that war since Day 1."

Source: Truth about Slash

Slash was a late arrival into the Guns N' Roses fold, Rose loves reminding people, and apart from a few key riffs, says Rose, the guitarist was much less involved in the songs than Rose and Stradlin.

"It was really a fight with me and Slash," says Rose of the forces that took down the band. "Izzy was doing the same thing, but the fight with me and Slash started the day I met him. He came in, popped my tape out and put his in and wanted me in his band. And I didn't want to join his band. We've had that war since Day 1."

Source: Truth about Slash

I have heard a ton of different answers such as...

He was depressed as his mother died? (I heard his mother died, so this could be true)

He cut his hair and didn't want to be seen with short hair? (doubt he would do that)

He had throat surgery? (he sounded fine at RIR 2001)

He had a drug issues? (Possible)

He was upset over Kurt Cobains death? (doesn't make sence really)

So what was the real reason or your thoughts on why he made no public apearances from 1995-2000?

Getting a new band together, writing songs, etc. He mentioned that he had material where he could have just written a "new Appetite" but chose to completely reinvent the wheel so to speak.

If you don't know, Axl's not a very *public* person in that he avoids the media at all costs. So it's not that he was in hiding, but that he was hiding from the media. Or as Axl puts it, there are very few people in the media that want to hear what he wants to say. They only care to spin *rumors* to say what they want to say.

So for us the fans, if Axl avoids the media, then obviously, we will not know what is happening with him. So, it will seem like he is off doing nothing but hiding in his mansion.

Here's a little brief history of the '90s:

End of 1992-1993

Axl said on the Eddie Trunk radio show that the plan was to do another AFD-like album after the UYI tour ended.

By this, he meant stripped-down and simple songs like those on AFD - not that, there were any intentions to try to duplicate the success of AFD. Just simple rock songs that wouldn't take too long to do and get out to the fans.

This would have been just like the Lies album that GnR put out for the fans - to past time - as GnR worked on their next major studio album: the UYI albums.

But the plans went to the gutter because Slash refused. Why did Slash refused?

As Axl then also stated: Slash does not like the songs on AFD. He only cared for his parts.

In other words, the style of the songs on AFD is not the style of rock music that Slash likes to create - as evident by the kind of music Slash put out post-GnR. None of Slash's post-GnR work sound anything like GnR!

Slash's Snakepit

At the time, Slash had begun building up his stash of Snakepit songs that he wanted to push as the next GnR album.

But Slash would not allow Axl's or anybody else's creative input in improving the songs he came up with. Axl had to sing to Slash's songs as-is without any tinkering or modifications.

Sound familiar? This is exactly the same reason why Slash hated Libertad, which consequently help lead to the breakup of VR, ie. firing of Scott Weiland. Slash gave into Scott Weiland on Libertad and allowed Scott to have a lot of creative input on Libertad. As Slash stated publicly after Scott Weiland's firing: the next VR singer must sing exactly to the songs he creates - no changes at all!

Mid-Late 1993

So because Slash and Axl could not reach a comprise on this AFD-like album, GnR thus decided to just put out their cover album, "The Spaghetti Incident". TSI was release November 23, 1993.

TSI was a close as you could get to getting a stripped-down rock album from GnR. Of course, not exactly the same sound and vibe as AFD, but you get the picture.

Late 1994:

They then followed TSI up by covering the Rolling Stones song, "Sympathy for Devil", as a soundtrack song to the movie, "Interview with a Vampire". This song was released in December of 1994.

One of the reasons why they did this cover song was to try get every one in the band working together again. By this time, GnR did not have a rhythm guitarist, so Axl got his good friend Paul Huge to do rhythm guitar parts. But Slash hated Paul Huge! And of course, Slash could have recorded the rhythm parts himself as well. So instead of bringing the band back together, the tensions between Axl and Slash grew even bigger!

1995-1997

By this time, the plan for an AFD-like album was long ditched as now the focus was on the next BIG album for GnR.

Slash still insisted on his Snakepit songs being the next GnR album, and still would not allow Axl any creative input. And of course by this time, Axl had already begun putting the early ideas together on what we all now refer to as "Chinese Democracy".

During this time, Axl attempted to pair Slash up with a few other guitarists as well. But nothing worked out. By October of 1996, Slash officially QUIT GnR.

Duff then officially resigned from GnR in August of 1997.

1998-2000

New band members assembled and began implementing Chinese Democracy.

For more details, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns_N'_Roses

So as you can see, much of 1993-1997 was spent trying to keep the old band together. Then much of 1997-2000 was spent getting new band members and getting work done on what we now call "Chinese Democracy".

Of course, during this time Axl had many legal problems to deal with. And these legal problems did occupy a lot of Axl's time and energy. But hopefully you can see that Axl was very much focused on GnR.

From the TMS interview, Axl basically said that how the US tour goes will dictate what GnR's next plans are.

If the US tour is viewed as a *success* - assuming by the record company - then you can probably expect a re-release of CD with a more traditional record promotion: music videos, live TV performances, etc ...

Axl hinted that GnR does want to do a music video, but making a great music video requires a lot of money. So either money comes out of his pocket, or the record company's pocket. And if they make music videos for CD, then obviously, they will re-release CD.

Then of course, there would be another CD world tour to follow this re-release.

In terms of markets, this all makes sense because CD really has not maximized the entire potential market in the US. With the right kind of promotion - backed by their record company - GnR should be able to easily sell another 3+ million records in the US alone, given that their traditional core fanbase is around 5+ million in the US. And who knows how many more millions they can sell worldwide with a proper traditional record promotion!

If the US tour is indeed viewed as a "success" - assuming by the record company - then you can expect that there will be indeed another new album, but that new album will be atleast another 2 years away as they will be on another world tour during this time.

But it is not clear what will happen if the US tour is NOT viewed as a "success" - assuming by the record company.

Will the record company support another GnR record? Will GnR have to go grassroots to self-produce a new record?

Obviously, if the US tour is not viewed as a "success", how much more touring can GnR do on Chinese Democracy? Can we expect a new album SOONER if the US tour is not viewed as a "success"?

So the next direction of GnR is now in the hands of the people of the USA. Will the USA fawk things up for the rest of the world?!

That is almost as bad as saying everything was Axl's fault.

At least the Axl haters have a few facts on their side. This guy has said that Slash talked smack on Axl specifically so that CD would undersell and Slash would look like a hero.

But everybody in the band was at fault. I don't get why that's so difficult to see. Communication breakdown was the root of it all.

Sorry dude. We ain't talking about the break up. We're talking about the POST-BREAKUP. Or atleast, I am. And you Slasholes+Duuffuses have nothing to support Slash's behavior POST-BREAKUP.

Slash is like the ex who left you but then doesn't let you move on and be happy. The crazy psycho ex!

Then on top of that, he does exactly the same thing and much worst then what he criticized you for!

So you can argue all you want about "who's fault it was for the breakup of old-GnR". Ultimately, it was due to CREATIVE DIFFERENCES and LACK-of-CHEMISTRY. You can't blame anybody for this. Slash wanted complete creative control and Axl wanted more from Slash and Duff that they were not capable of offering.

But what you can't argue about is Slash's words, actions, and behavior POST-BREAKUP! You can't blame Axl for that! That was all Slash!

And it's not like it was one incident either. There were many incidents!

Everything then cultivated to the incident that then ultimately lead to the breakup of VR, and even perhaps his marriage with Perla: Slash's drunken late night visit to Axl's house.

Slash even admitted to allowing his bitterness, resentment, and anger get the best of him! Which is the biggest reason why he wanted to do his bio book, so that he could finally put it all behind him and move on.

So whenever a loser like Barry Fey comes along bashing Axl, GnR, or CD, it is always because they are just your typical Slashole who thinks Axl is the bad guy and Slash is the good guy!

If it had been Slash and not Robin Finck on CD, these Slasholes would be going ape-crazy for the album! They are all just closet-CD fans! LOL

So it's my job as a *current* up-to-date GnR fan, to help Slasholes (and Duuffuses) see the light about their prostituting and double talking muthacanucking rock heroes.

There are reasons why Axl called Slash a CANCER. There are obviously good reasons why Axl would rather die than work or perform with Slash ever again. It is not a coincidence that Slash is the only ex-member, other than Matt Sorum, that Axl has not reached out to or reconciled with.

Some of those reasons can be revealed to by listening to the CD song : Sorry

You chose to hurt those that love you

And won't set them free

So you think slash was lying?

No; but a stretch of the truth perhaps?

Had Slash been the main guitarist on CD - in Robin Finck's shoes - it still wouldn't have made a difference in terms of record sales and concert ticket sales, in particular, in the USA.

If Slash was touring with GnR right now, it still wouldn't make a difference.

The fact is: old-GnR became irrelevant to mainstream pop culture in post-1992. Like Metallica, all 80s rock bands needed to *re-invent* themselves musically and image-wise (like cutting their hair and changing their warddrobe).

The public like GN’R with Slash. Believe it or not GN’R without Slash was a reason for a lot of people to refuse Chinese Democracy a listen.

Slash’s presence on Chinese would have unquestionably enhanced its reception. Furthermore, the music would be radically different. & a lot more compatible with the expectations of most people whose perception of GN’R is Appetite.

I don’t know how many times I’ve read comments under the report of a GN’R show with the statement “if no Slash, I’m not going”. I think you’re an imbecile if you believe Slash on tour with GN’R wouldn’t affect ticket sales positively.

The masses were enthusiastic (& that’s an understatement) for a post-Illusions album up until the departure of people like Slash and Duff. & even after there was an intrigue regarding Axl’s lone GN’R effort.

Go listen to any of Slash solo and VR records. None of them sound like GnR!

That proves the point Axl was making about Slash: that Slash only cared for his parts and songs. Slash doesn't even like AFD, except for his parts!

Musically, Slash is not needed at all on CD! Nobody wants to hear his cheezy 80s bluesy riffs or his over-wah-wah pentatonic soloing! That's old and boring! And it doesn't fit with the innovating and fresh sounds of CD.

The solos, riffs, beats, grooves, and rhythms on CD is some of the best and most original stuff ever put out.

And no, post-1992, GnR became irrelevant! In business terms, their market share of the rock music industry dropped significantly. They got replaced by alternative rock bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

The same folks who would have cared for a post-UYI record are the same people how clamored for CD!

So once again, any claims that Slash and Duff would have made a difference to GnR success *today* does not fit with the facts!

The new blood in GnR is what has given GnR a chance to survive in today's music industry, and to continue to make more music!

Ok i'll bite...who is this ass clown and why does it matter what he says or thinks?

He’s widely regarded as one of the best promoters in the US.

& we should care because Fey has inadvertently encapsulated the mentality of a sizeable population who simply refuse Chinese Democracy a chance because it doesn’t feature Slash.

Which is utterly retarded. Bands replaced lead singers, why can't lead singers replace musicians?

Because in this particular case, Guns N Roses doesn't sound anything like it did when Slash was in the band. Back In Black sounds just like High Voltage, which is why AC/DC never skipped a beat when Scott died. Axl chose to go into a completely different direction when Slash left and so, people rejected it.

On the whole, the average human being hates change. This is just another fine example.

True. Maybe I wouldn't mind the lack of Slash / Izzy / Duff in the band if Chinese Democracy would have been more 'old Guns N' Roses'. CD is 100% different music, 100%.

It's not 1987 or 1991 anymore! Notice how nobody relevant today is making music that sounds like it is from the 80s?!

Had Slash still been in GnR and forced Axl to sing exactly to what he creates - like how he does it on his VR and solo records - GnR would have become a joke!

Axl did not choose to go in a whole different direction. GnR is always progressing and evolving; never being stuck in the same state.

People have not rejected CD. How many musicians can sell 2 or 3 or 4 or 5+ million records? Not that many! CD has outsold all both VR's records!

It only feels like CD doesn't make any headways because GnR has not promoted the album to the general public.

CD sounds more GnR than anything any ex-members have ever put out!

So your claim that people reject CD because Slash is not on it ... is simply poop!

Ok i'll bite...who is this ass clown and why does it matter what he says or thinks?

He’s widely regarded as one of the best promoters in the US.

& we should care because Fey has inadvertently encapsulated the mentality of a sizeable population who simply refuse Chinese Democracy a chance because it doesn’t feature Slash.

Which is utterly retarded. Bands replaced lead singers, why can't lead singers replace musicians?

Because in this particular case, Guns N Roses doesn't sound anything like it did when Slash was in the band. Back In Black sounds just like High Voltage, which is why AC/DC never skipped a beat when Scott died. Axl chose to go into a completely different direction when Slash left and so, people rejected it.

On the whole, the average human being hates change. This is just another fine example.

None of Slash's work post-GnR sounds anything like GnR.

CD sounds more GnR than anything any of the ex-members ever put out.

Ok i'll bite...who is this ass clown and why does it matter what he says or thinks?

He’s widely regarded as one of the best promoters in the US.

& we should care because Fey has inadvertently encapsulated the mentality of a sizeable population who simply refuse Chinese Democracy a chance because it doesn’t feature Slash.

I'm not sure what facts you are basing your sizable population claim from.

Had Slash been the main guitarist on CD - in Robin Finck's shoes - it still wouldn't have made a difference in terms of record sales and concert ticket sales, in particular, in the USA.

If Slash was touring with GnR right now, it still wouldn't make a difference.

The fact is: old-GnR became irrelevant to mainstream pop culture in post-1992. Like Metallica, all 80s rock bands needed to *re-invent* themselves musically and image-wise (like cutting their hair and changing their warddrobe).

Until new-GnR releases music videos and does more mainstream publicity (like award shows and talk shows), the sizable population in the USA will continue to think that GnR is still that cheezy 80s rock band.

As Axl wisely knows: the USA market is whole different beast to conquer. But slowly, GnR will conquer the USA again.

Has anybody here noticed that with Chinese Democracy,people either love it or hate it? Out of all the reviews I have read on the album, there was not one critic's main feelings on the album that were anywhere between the two. If you agree with that statement, do you think it speaks to the fact that many people, either love or hate Axl? Some see him as a savior of GNR and others see him as the one who fucked it all up. Please don't think turn this into a debate of that, but the questions I have asked...

It really depends on the people you are referring to.

Are you referring to hardcore and casual GnR fans that don't like CD or are you referring to the general public?

Because [old] GnR had always been a band that you either loved or hated, there was no in-between. A lot of people just don't like the sleazy sound and image of old GnR and the drug drama associated with past members.

And when the alternative rock era hit in 1992, [old] GnR became even more disliked.

Even today, it is hard pressed to find anybody who likes NEW ROCK or alternative rock that also likes the hard-rock sound of [old] GnR.

And even the old geezers who are into more classical rock, like the Rolling Stones, don't like old or new GnR.

So the non-GnR fans will hate CD without even giving it a chance based on their impressions of old-GnR. These folks can never be converted unless you trick them into listening to CD. Tell them Robin Finck from NiN and Buckethead are the main guitarists on CD, and watch how their opinions will change.

Now, if you are referring to hardcore and casual GnR fans who reject CD, well then it's pretty obvious why they reject CD. They are angry at Axl for not bringing 1987-1991 back into *cool* again! These folks don't like that Slash and Duff on not on CD doing their cheezy, out-of-date, and simplistic rock sounds.

They hate that new GnR has been *modernized*. But what they don't understand is that GnR is not following the trend but setting new trends for everybody else to copy and follow!

These haters (ie. Slasholes+Duffus) will never be happy. If you could trick them into believing that Slash and Duff were on CD, they would change their tune and love CD!

In other words, must CD-haters or new-GnR-haters already have some kind of pre-existing prejudice towards GnR. They will never be open minded enough to judge CD based on its musical artistic merits.

"The old band never had chemstry."

And you never had sex.

Yes, keep telling yourself: "The old band had chemistry, that is why they are still together."

Seriously do you ever fucking stop?, god you're an annoying cupcake

Huh? WTF?!

It's relevant and current news! It came straight out of Axl's mouth!

You don't want to deal with the truths - that's your problem.