ARX77

Guns N' Roses - 2002 VMA REHEARSALS - SHORT CLIP OF JUNGLE

Holy shit. I'm a huge Florida state fan. Never seen Axl wear that Nole jersey. Cool

Video. Would def like to see more of that

Guns N' Roses - 10 years

VMA 2002 Rehearals

short and sweet clip

*Please respect my anonymity.*

This is a bit off topic but I didnt want to make a thread about it. Do Robin/Paul/Bucket get royalties for CD? Even though Bucket wasn't under contract when it was released does he get royalties for helping write the songs? Same with Paul?

The only people that receive royalties are people with song writing credits. So yes they receive royalties from album sales, radio play, commercial usage of songs etc. as long as the song being used they have a writing credit for. for an album sale they will receive a percentage based on their writing credit im sure. For example Axl would receive royalties for everything since he has writing credits for all songs.

what is auswitz?

A Nazi concentration camp from the second world war

I went to Dachau concentration camp when I was a kid visiting Germany. Very somber experience... those people went through hell

Misfiring Guns n' Wilted Roses:

By Ben Shalev

After the Guns N' Roses concert on Tuesday, one woman told her boyfriend: "I'll tell you exactly when it picked up - when you went to get beer." I'm guessing the guy went to fetch drinks between 10:15 P.M. and 10:20 P.M. because until then the show was really terrible, absolutely awful. Around that time it started getting better and was spared at the last minute from becoming a fiasco.

For the first hour of the concert, front man Axl Rose looked like a zombie from a third-rate horror movie. He hid behind sunglasses, moved with a combination of heaviness and hysteria, sang terribly and seemed tired and disconnected. His backup musicians, mainly the three guitarists, invested so much effort in trying to look like rockers that they had no strength left to play like rockers. Where was Slash when you needed him?

The songs that Guns N' Roses played sounded dull, even for a band well past its prime, and Rose went off stage every 15 minutes to rest his overstrained voice, leaving a musician onstage to muddle through some unimaginative solo performance. The concert was hollow, dull and unnecessary. The only bright spot was the audience, which applauded Rose and his accompanists as if they gave a good performance. Perhaps hardcore Guns N' Rose fans deluded themselves into believing they were at a less disappointing concert.

But then, 90 minutes into the show (presumably when the guy went to get beer ), something good happened. First of all, the zombie woke up. He started moving and looking human. It would be hard to argue that his singing became clearer and steadier but, beyond the strained voice, it was apparent that he was at least trying. The band also improved: The accompanists turned out to be capable of playing when they wanted to. There was nothing original or interesting, naturally, but you had to admit the guitars didn't sound bad.

When the VIP section is half empty, as was the case at this show, it is also ridiculous.

Full aritlce: http://www.haaretz.com/culture/misfiring-guns-n-wilted-roses-rock-icons-save-tel-aviv-show-at-11th-hour.premium-1.448906

dj ashba and ron thal tried to look like rockers. where's slash when you need slash? lol

This review reminds me of the UCAP show i attended with my friend in orlando. my friend is not familiar with the new band but enjoys GnR music from their heyday. I have to agree at my show Axl did seem tired and disconnected for the first half of the show. Dont get me wrong he sounded good for the most part. IMO after NR Axl really seemed to hit his stride and the show picked up major steam, only problem was it was 2 AM by that point and the crowd was getting tired. Show ended around 3:30 and Axl looked like he could have played for another 2 hours. My friend commented to me the next day that he didnt understand why Axl hid behind the hat glasses for so long during the show. He said he thought Axl was going to look quite aged but when he finally shed the hat and glasses he was surprised and said Axl actually looked quite young. I wonder if Axl needs to warm up a bit prior to hitting the stage, its almost like sometimes he's waking up and hitting the stage.

One issue I have with the general account of Axl taking the name is:

1) Slash, Duff, Axl, and Alan Niven, the principal parties involved, cannot seem to agree on when or how it happened. You'd think given how important Axl "taking" the name was to the band's history, and the fact that it was done via legal documents, there would be a clear cut document which said the date when it happened; or, at the very least, Slash/Duff would remember when and how exactly it happened and their accounts would have little difference in regard to the details and date.

Which leads to: If they can't remember details which are THIS important to the history of GN'R, can their detailed accounts of other events be relied upon when it comes to other things which happened around the same time or even earlier, especially given how messed up they were with drugs and alcohol throughout the band's history?

There are three different accounts of how and when it happened.

According to Alan Niven, it happened around Early 1991, not long before the UYI tour began, that it was part of a very routine contract renegotiation.

According to Axl, it happened during a routine contract negotiation and was added in with the consent of all the then legal members of GN'R (himself, Duff and Slash), and that all were surrounded by lawyers as it was around the time of the Adler depositions. Adler sued the band in 1991 but his lawsuit did not go to court until around August 1993.

According to Slash, it happened on September 1st 1992. Slash is very specific with regard to this date.

According to Duff, it happened on July 5th 1993. Slash is very specific to this date especially in the context of it happening as the tour ended and his feeling of that there were only a few shows left to be pushed through.

Tom Zutuat claimed Axl threatened to cancel the entire UYI tour if it was not signed; A DIRECT threat from Axl himself to the band.

Slash at various points claimed it happened just before a show began and Axl demanded it or he wouldn't go on stage that night, thus holding the crowd hostage. Again, a direct threat from Axl's own lips.

Duff claims he and Slash were approached by Doug Goldstein on July 5th 1993 and Dougie heavily implied that Axl might not show up for the remaining concerts if they didn't sign.

The descrepency comes from both the timing and the nature of it. The fact that none of the principal players involved in the event can remember when it happened is significant.

Also, Duff's account rather contradicts the more sinister account told by others:

In Duff's account, Dougie implied to Duff and Slash that Axl would not take the stage. However, Axl was not present when this meeting occurred. As we later see, Dougie was acting in Axl's interests (in that he continued to be Axl's manager until 2002). Is it possible that in order to get Slash and Duff to sign the name over, he sleazily made this implied threat up, figuring in their generally messed up state, Duff and Slash would believe it? Perhaps there never was any threat made by Axl, but Doug thought saying such would get the others to sign.

In doing this, Doug might have been considering his own professional and financial future. Slash and Duff seemed likely to die in 1992/1993 given how fucked up they were (Izzy said that in 1993 that Slash and Duff were like zombies and it bothered him to see his friends killing themselves). Slash had already had a cardiac arrest after an O'D in 1992; Duff was obviously gravely ill just by his appearance alone. Slash was not the superstar he'd later become, and Duff was simply the band's bassist. Axl on the other hand was healthy and was considered one of the most talented, in demand, charismatic and popular rockstars on the planetBusiness wise, to a guy like Doug, getting the guy he managed the ownership of a powerhouse brand name like Guns N' Ross would solidify his own future. It would risk the "end of Guns N' Roses" if Slash and Duff died or tried at some point to fire Axl.

Perhaps also Doug neglected to tell Axl that he basically threatened Slash and Duff into signing. He might have lied to Axl and told them they said OK and that they didn't care and forgot to mention that they balked at the idea and he had to threaten them to get them to sign. Years later, after they quit, Slash and others come out with the story of Axl holding the crowd/tour hostage, which then would seem to Axl like character defamation and causes Axl to grow hateful and bitter toward Slash for maligning his name.

Not only that, but you have Slash in interviews from before and shortly after he left the band downplaying the importance of who owned the name. In a 1995 interview, he stated he didn't care who owned the name. In a 1997 interview, he called it simply a "legal faux pass." In the same interview from 1997, he claimed he hadn't truly quit GN'R but that he and Axl weren't seeing things the same way, that this had happened many times before and he'd come back eventually. Years later, in his autobiography, he said he was shocked that Axl believed for several years that he'd come back; He said he made it clear that when he quit, he was quitting for good. Yet as late as 1999 he was saying he was only a phone call away from coming back. Only several years later, around 2000 or so, did the spin of the name issue being forced on the band by the threat of a riot or the tour being cancelled come into play.

Consider this: If events went down as have been claimed--The idea of it being a threat, holding the tour/crowd hostage, etc--Why hasn't Axl been taken to the cleaners in court with regard to getting the band name from Slash & Duff under duress? Why have Slash & Duff never sued Axl in an attempt to retain their share in the band name? Why did Slash say in 1995 that he didn't care who owned the band name Guns N' Roses?

I believe Slash and Duff have "tried" to sue Axl to regain some power of the name.

In the end I believe management put the idea of Axl owning the GnR name in Axl's head. The implied story of not taking the stage and with GnR's history of riots that is absolutely under duress. If it were true Axl wouldnt have a legal leg to stand on to continue. Slash and Duff were near death, Slash had already OD'd on tour and Duff was damn-near death as well. Management wanted this cash-cow to continue and didnt want wives to prevent things moving forward due to naming rights. Problem is everything imploded after UYI and they could never move forward. Im sure all parties played a role, but in the end Axl erratic behavior and Slash not being able to stay sober probably were the main reasons. Slash like most addicts has is view and Axl has his view probably somewhere in the middle is the truth. But As Duff has said a lot lately management and lawyers were the main downfall of the band. To me that makes the most sense when you think about it.

The level of hate and resentment against the old lineup that permeates this forum is immature and ridiculous. Even worse than at the Megadeth forums. There's a difference between making an occasional joke about a former gunner and actually hating the guy, as if you had actually met him and he had done something to you. You know, loving the new band and idolizing CD and hating the old lineup does not make you a better fan. Grow up, all of you.

And guess what? Disliking songs does not mean you're not a fan. It means you have an opinion and are mature enough to say I don't like this song or that album. Nothing wrong with that? What are you 12?

This song, along with SCOM, helped GnR become what they were in the early 90's, the biggest band in the world. Literally everybody knew who they were.

This thread is as valid as any other thread discussing classic songs.

I couldnt agree more... I am a fan of GnR no matter what the incarnation is, although I would prefer the classic/ original line up as they created my favorite music that has stood the test of time. My main issue is the disrespect for what the old line up created. I can understand someone prefers a certain line up over another but i dont understand that hate and disrespect for what made GnR what it is today.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/all-apologies-15-creators-who-apologized-for-their,81603/

If this was posted already, ... I have no excuse!

One in a Million is a great song and Axl's vocals on it are very strong IMO. Lyrically I can see how some would be offended but I look at it like a movie. Movies scripts use offensive language and acting to tell a true story and make it real and representative of that time in history. IMO that is what Axl was doing with this song, he was telling a story from the perspective of a "small town white boy" from Indiana. Problem is just like Gwyneth Paltrow being on stage in france with Kanye and Jay-Z and tweet black personz in France, which was the name of their song and she catches hell for her tweet being offensive. If people took the time to understand stuff instead of lashing out because of certain words, the world would be a better and more honest place. JMHO

http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?/forum/8-pre-1994-gnr/

Im not trying to be offensive or anything but honestly the whole "this is in the wrong section" whenever someone talks about the classic line up or in this case a song is ridiculous. They're constant threads about Fink and Bucket or people that are no longer in the band and that seems to be OK. But talking about the songs or the members that made GnR what it is today is like blasphemy and should only be talked about in a section that no one looks at. Obviously this person wanted to talk about Estranged and it being GnR's best work, what's wrong with putting that in a section where people are more likely to see it?

Slash gets the guitar right

and Axl gets the lyrics right

song flows

best thing the band ever did..

Estranged is my favorite GnR tune, especially the 2nd part of the song. Funny thing is I didnt really get into the song until I was much older, I guess having been through a few relationships the song meant more to me. but i would agree with another poster that SCOM is probably their best work especially radio-friendly-wise

What 2 Hits did GnR have in late 2008?

Looks like Axl is really giving it all. Fucking energy

Its a good performance and he really is putting a ton of effort into the song. I think in general 2009/ 2010 vocally is the best Axl has sounged in a very long time. His voice had a very clean raspy sound to it. I wish it would come back because some of the songs i've heard lately are really lacking

Axl singing with his clean, weak and strongly nasal voice

This is something I usually seem to be alone of hearing in this song. People on this forum is saying it's his strongest vocal performance ever. I thought people were trolling at first, but I've come to the conclusion that they're just deaf or something. What I'm quoting here is so true. His vocals really are terrible on this song.

Axl said in the online chats... he was most proud of his singing at the end of TWAT.

First, I'm not bashing anyone's opinions. For what I've read, it's easy to conclude that TWAT is considered, by the majority of this forum, the best CD song. But why? Seriously, what's so amazing in this music? I've heard it so many times, and I feel very uncomfortable with a few things in the song when I listen to it. The biggest problem, for me, starts when Axl sings It was a long time with you / It was a long time with me / It'd be a long time for anyone / But looks like it's meant to be. It's a problem that I detected in many CD songs, but this part of this song is the best example: Axl just hasn't the heaviness naturally required to accompany the heavy instrumental sessions. He also lost that wildness he used to carry in his voice in the old days. So when I hear Axl singing with his clean, weak and strongly nasal voice in that part, the contrast that rises is too big to be ignored, imo. And in the end, when he repeatedly sings There was a time, I can't help to notice that he's struggling hard to reach a heaviness he doesn't have. I won't comment Buckethead's solo, that has those shreddings I don't like (for me, this whole guitar masturbation is more suited for heavy metal or something like that).

PS - I'm not saying that who likes or consider TWAT the best CD song is an ignorant bastard. Feel free to disagree with me. I'm really curious.

I think TWAT is a good song and i like Axl's voice on it. Is it the best CD song? I dont know, i would says it one of the better ones along with Better and Prostitute but overall I would say Prostitute is better IMO.

2006 jacksonville, FL; 2010 toronto Canada (best show ive seen), 2011 orlando, FL; 2011 greenville, sc; 2012 UCAP orlando, FL

Not the first time he's yelled at Frank for something that wasn't Franks fault. Probably won't be the last.

nope he yelled at him in a joking way in Orlando at the start of Estranged... Link below... pretty funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx4f-2QxsfY

all metallica songs sound the same.

You are without doubt the worst poster of all time.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

I am much more a fan of GN'R than Metallica. Metallica is my 2nd favourite band behind GN'R but I have to admit that Metallica are far more active and fan friendly (on a different level to GN'R. Guns is fan friendly but in a different way. Hard to explain).

If we were to compare CD to DM, CD has my vote by a mile. I like DM but it is in my opinion the worst Metallica record.

CD is my favouite record of all time so it is unfair for me to compare it to anything else.

All of you who think we are "anti-GN'R" due to us feeling that Metallica does have the edge on Guns N' Roses need to have a rethink.

By the way, Metallica sued their fans for stealing from them. I think that is pretty fair.

U couldn't b more right. Metallica did what others were afraid to do. It was stealing and who feels bad for the nabster guy anyway? He's a freakin rich motherfucker

I was thinking about it... ChinDem has not its "anything goes", "used to love her" or "get in the ring", the closest to "fun" Axl sounds is on Scraped, but the majority of the songs is about broken hearts, bitterness and sadness.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not much of a fan of 3:00 sing-along rock n' roll tunes but I was wondering if Axl had any fun working on Chinese. I can't see Axl and the crew drinking beers after a completed track, you know?

I believe your job is only good when you like what you do and the recording proccess of CD looked painful and tense and I believe Axl didn't really have fun working on it.

What do you think?

Axl has referred to the process of creating Chin dem as a nightmare. I think it was not fun for him in all aspects, creating songs that reminded him of painful experiences, dealing with recording issues, band members coming and going - Honestly i think now Axl is having the most fun he's had since the early 90's. Thats why i say let him and these guys tour and get CD out of their system... Enjoy the shows! Remember it wasnt that long ago we were all dyeing for GnR to tour and once they stop we will all be yearning for them to your again.

IMO its unfair to compare GnR w/ Metallica. Metallica has had a steady line up for the most part and has stayed busy with either touring or new music. All in all Metallica plays the same base set of songs EX: master of puppets, one, seek and destroy etc. each night. What Metallica does that GnR should do is change up the newer or uncommon songs. For example GnR could play catcher instead of SOD every night or add dead horse or yesterday's. GnR is suppose to be a band that is unpredictable but has become very predictable. A band w/ no set list supposedly. All in all I hope Guns keeps touring and stays active but I agree they could get a little creative with the set.

But for anyone to think no matter how many albums Nuguns released that we would be at a place were only "new" songs are being played is delusional. Every band has a heyday or prime where they create the songs that define them and for GnR that's AFD, Lies and UYI that will never change

i feel sorry for India, culturally speaking.

What do you mean exactly? Like deprivation ?

Well i mean like, they have such a wonderful and rich culture, aincent, y'know, a really old culture, with so much to offer, so much indigenous art, music, all sorts. It literally is one of the most culturally rich places in the world and yet, they seemed obssessed with making themselves or their culture into a third rate photocopy of western/American culture, it's REALLY sad to see and it permeates their cinema, their popular music, everything.

I mean just the range of wonderful instruments that are like, indigenous or ultilised by that country, the sitar, the tabla, the harmonium, their own musical theory, totally different to the western one, a really complex one and they just behave as if they're slightly embarassed by it, it's such a shame. Jesus, just the poets and the natural poetry of that language and the sort of verse it is capable of producing, deep, intricate, and like...y'know, they might sum up in one perfect rhyming couplet what would take like, an entire verse of english verse to convey...and still not quite make it.

Even their music and their singing, i mean singers like Muhammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and all of them. And you just end up with these really puerile takes on Americanisms. You'd think such a rich and aincent culture would have more of a sense of self worth than that.

All that you mentioned is very true and important part of culture. But India's people are starving and most are extremely poor... India is not compromising their cultural beliefs they are trying to modernize their country and create jobs for their people. This is a necessity for the country to maintain its self. I've done a lot of business with India over the years and they have a long way to go, but they are very proud of their culture (at least all the people i have had dealings with)

That would be interesting. Large bands generally avoid India because of it's corrupt tendencies in extorting more money from bands. I remember Brian Adams was suppose to play Delhi a year or two ago and backed out because organizers were shaking him down for more money (something to do with not giving the venue a passing grade on fire regulations until everyone got their beaks wet). Hope Axl knows what he's getting himself into.

Cheers,

Andrew

This is very true in that part of the world. Gov't regulations are in place not to protect the people but to allow the Gov't officials to have their palms greased. I will say in India it has gotten better over the last couple of years because they want to continue to grow as a country. For example India's shrimp export will be the highest its ever been this year. They still have a ways to go, but they are starting to right the ship.

Got to be honest, I have no interest in an album by Bumblefoot, Dj Ash, Frank. Sure I'll download just to see. Sure if it sounds great i'd do the right thing and part with cash for an original copy. I can't see anything that interests me from these 3 musicians. Not once have I felt the need to buy or even download anything my Dj Ash or Bumblefoot.

Hearing the unreleased work by Buckethead and Robin Finck interests me so much more. Will they use this material on future releases, given that both of them and Brain quit ? - i doubt so.

Im sure it will pretty much be what Fink and Bucket recorded with BBF and DJ playing it. Or with DJ and BBF adding some unneeded layer to a song. I just hope no matter what the release is that its not some over-produced crap. I like CD a lot but if it were stripped down a bit it would have been so much better

If Tommy were to change his solo-spot song, what song would you like to see him sing? We've seen him sing My Generation, Sonic Reducer, and Motivation. Maybe you'd like to see him do another cover? Something by Nirvana? Or maybe you have a favorite from his solo collection?

I really like One Man Mutiny. I know its a slow song and all but its a good song

Do you think that a few songs would be bigger especially Chinese if Axl gives them rights to put them on. Not sounding weird or anything but there was a video for Twilight with This I Love and it kind of fit. So what do you think?

If the World was used for some movie with Leonardo Dicappio - it was played at the ending credits. I would say it was a bad choice just like making Chin Dem the first single. Not that those are bad songs but IMO using songs that dont really remind people of GnR was counterproductive

I actually have a real behind the scenes story. It is when I went to go see Guns in Monterrey Mexico in 2007. My friend Gloria is a promoter for a local arena. Her friend used to work at the same arena, but moved and had the same duties in the arena of Monterrey. Anyways, she is the one who booked GNR. She invited my friend and of course she invited me. Free concert, with great side stage seats! I remember the day of the show she was sweating bullets cause the band had been there a couple of days and Axl still was still in LA. (stuff we know) After the concert, the promoter gave me some 411 on the show. I think Axl's plane landed around 10:00 p.m. and she said that Robin was livid. When Axl was finally there, and refused to come out Robin was knocking telling Axl to come out. She saw Robin in the hall yelling that , "he always does this shit, I wanna quit...etc. Other info. The promoter had a time watch, to see if Axl plays the time that was on the contract. And I also asked. how much was their fee? She said a cool million.

I remember reading something about this previously... Did you write about this after the show? If I am remembering correctly GnR didnt come on until pretty late that night almost 1:00 AM. Axl was on the tarmac for a while sitting in his jet refusing to come out??? Crazy stuff, makes the allegations of stage fright seem quite real

there's some great conversation going on in the buckethead thread. lots of people offering their perspectives, which sound slightly more informed than the usual forum banter. i'd like to get a serious thread going on del james and his role in guns n' roses. it seems like it's changed over the years, and as countless others have been excommunicated from the inner circle, del remains. will del be around forever? is he particularly tight with current management? i'd assume he'd have to be.

i'd like to invite people to share their stories about working with del james, partying with del james, or just meeting him.

i met del once, on the same night i met axl. beverly hills walk of style awards, after playing a small acoustic set. i talked to axl for twenty minutes or so. he was surprisingly candid, talking about frustrations he felt from the record label and resentment he felt towards fans and how they're unfairly critical of him. he talked about being crushingly depressed to the point where he didn't want to leave his house, but he seemed in high spirits that night. he was laughing and seemed to enjoy sharing his thoughts. but del kept interrupting axl, trying to stop him from talking to me. he kept inviting axl to join him in another conversation, and axl would tell him he'd be there in a minute. the third or fourth time del interrupted, axl snapped at him. just told him to buzz off and that he'd find him when he was done. del was absolutely not friendly to me. he would only look angrily in my direction.

that was my one encounter with del. but it was interesting that it happened in axl's presence. i think i'd have had a very different impression of del had i just met him alone somewhere. in my eyes, that seemed to lend credibility to stories others have told about del being one of the 'hangers on' who tries to insulate axl from the world. but i'd like to hear more stories about del's role in the band. maybe if snooze or madcap or jordanrose have some free time, they could volunteer some stories they've heard.

Wow, that's really crazy that Axl just opened up to you like that. On the heels of your thread where you put forward your cupcake thread that playing CD is a"fuck you" to the fans you follow it up with a personal story about how Axl opened up to you that he resented his fans.

Hmm

I also enjoyed the part about how strong your instant connection with Axl was that He was telling Del James to fuck off because he was more interested in you, and how Del's only recourse was to skulk away and stare daggers at you.

by no means do i think axl was interested in me. he was interested in talking about himself, which he did. i was just someone who listened. i also told him fans resentment made total sense to me, but that it was a product of their love for him, not hate. i explained how as fans, right or wrong, we bond with the art that speaks to us and for us, and the artist who creates it plays a role in our imaginations. especially when we're young. that emotional investment is a double-edged sword though. and i told him how when he vanished and seemingly showed contempt for everyone who loved his stuff, people can't help but feel disappointed or spurned or even insulted. their "hate" was just the obvious and realistic flip side of their love. he heard that and nodded and said he'd never really considered that. i don't think he loved me, or any other hyperbolic exaggeration you'd like to fling my way in an attempt to make me seem crazy. i talked to him at a party. lots of people who talk to axl in similar situations remark about how open he gets. i never bought up slash, and neither did he.

as for snapping at del... i think you're intentionally misunderstanding me if you conclude that i think axl was so into me that he got mad at del. quite the opposite. he was talking about himself and shit that was important to him. he didn't like being interrupted. had i interrupted him in that way, i'm sure he'd have told me to shut up tol.

and as for your concerns about my trolling, axl's got a better sense of humor than you nerds on the cult forum do. he knew about eat my silkworms and laughed about it. that's why he agreed to get the picture taken holding the e . m. s. sign because he thought it was funny.

I have to say reading your post I did not get the impression that you were implying Axl was more interested in you than his friends or Del. I'm sure Axl was in a good mood and you benefitted from it. Del probably naturally feels a need to protect Axl from himself or the stories he likes to tell. I assume Del didnt know who you were and was afraid of your conversation getting out all over the internet and being twisted by the media. Im sure 2007 was a rough year for Axl, since Axl himself said Chin Dem was coming out in 2006. Their USA tour ended terribly and things just seemed to fall apart. Del and Axl's inner-circle probably didnt want Axl to fall into another depression, which seems to happen and Axl cuts himself off to the world.

there's some great conversation going on in the buckethead thread. lots of people offering their perspectives, which sound slightly more informed than the usual forum banter. i'd like to get a serious thread going on del james and his role in guns n' roses. it seems like it's changed over the years, and as countless others have been excommunicated from the inner circle, del remains. will del be around forever? is he particularly tight with current management? i'd assume he'd have to be.

i'd like to invite people to share their stories about working with del james, partying with del james, or just meeting him.

i met del once, on the same night i met axl. beverly hills walk of style awards, after playing a small acoustic set. i talked to axl for twenty minutes or so. he was surprisingly candid, talking about frustrations he felt from the record label and resentment he felt towards fans and how they're unfairly critical of him. he talked about being crushingly depressed to the point where he didn't want to leave his house, but he seemed in high spirits that night. he was laughing and seemed to enjoy sharing his thoughts. but del kept interrupting axl, trying to stop him from talking to me. he kept inviting axl to join him in another conversation, and axl would tell him he'd be there in a minute. the third or fourth time del interrupted, axl snapped at him. just told him to buzz off and that he'd find him when he was done. del was absolutely not friendly to me. he would only look angrily in my direction.

that was my one encounter with del. but it was interesting that it happened in axl's presence. i think i'd have had a very different impression of del had i just met him alone somewhere. in my eyes, that seemed to lend credibility to stories others have told about del being one of the 'hangers on' who tries to insulate axl from the world. but i'd like to hear more stories about del's role in the band. maybe if snooze or madcap or jordanrose have some free time, they could volunteer some stories they've heard.

Thats a pretty interesting story regarding Dell, but your convo with Axl sounds quite memorable... Also damn cool you attended the fashion show with that acoustic set.

I've met Del once when I attended the show in Toronto in 2010. My seats were front row right off the floor and he walked by. I said "Dell James" and he stopped shook my hand and we talked briefly, guy could not have been nicer and more appreciative that we flew from FL to catch the show. A little while later I asked him for a pic (his seats and the rest of the band's family seats were right by us) and again couldnt have been cooler. I regret to this day not giving Del my ticket stub to take backstage to have Axl sign it. From our seats you could see straight back and Del was walking back and forth constantly. I'll never forget the crowd starting to boo (it had been 2 hours since Baz finished) seeing Axl walk up through the backstage area, kind of surreal to see him in that atmosphere.

Of course there is a bias against Axl. He has no one to blame for that but himself for most of it.

I get what you're saying and believe me i am no Axl apologist... And most are right his voice on this performance was bad... I know Axl deserves a lot of what he gets but you would think from time to time some news outlet would throw the guy a bone