FreshFromDetox

Sure.

This is Brooke, btw, Steven's real ghost writer.

Steven didn't write his book and half of the things there were invented by someone who used to support him.

That's partially true. It was written by my ex-boyfriend Brooke Ellis. I was with him when we met Steven in 1999. The "made-up" stuff was Brooke recounting Steven's experiences that Brooke was actually witness to in the years that they were friends. It was hardly "half". What happened was Brooke wasn't finished interviewing Steven for the book but he was pressured to just wrap it up and was even told to make it up if he had to. But he wouldn't do that, and he knew everything about GNR anyway.

BTW - I played kinda clueless about the book before, but I was interested in the unbiased opinion of someone in regards to what happened, 'cause Steven and his people really screwed Brooke over.

This is a great thread, and i'm glad that this site promotes free thinking. I remember years ago on HTGTH considering that I didn't want to hurt Axl's feelings by criticizing him - just in case he read my posts! But I think his behavior has since established that he really doesn't give a fuck about the fans, and he should be exposed to opinions of the people who care. Especially after the trainwreck of Chinese Democracy his mission should immediately have been to bury that piece of shit with songs that could make us forget and forgive. He's gotta have them. Instead, as stated here, all he does is play exclusive parties and Vegas Residencies when he needs to pay a few bills (presumably). And while I'm rambling, I hate the new band(s). The infusion of dorkiness (no offense to dorks, i like 'em and when I want to listen to them I'll put on Weezer) that started with Dizzy has not ended since. These guys are just not cool. DJ Ashba's wardrobe alone is a red flag that this guy is trying too hard. I don't care if Bumblefuck is a world-class shredder - I'll listen to Steve Vai for that. I'd rather hear a punk kid who stole his guitar and learned to get real good on his own any day.

The sad thing is outside of the experience of seeing a reunion, Axl's voice sounds so bad now that it would pretty much ruin it if it ever were to happen anyway.

Huh, that project seemed like a real love of Sorum's... guess he's got too much goin' on now.

I loved that JuJu Hounds album and the Shuffle it All video, but I guess I really wasn't interested enough to keep up after that

Marc back when MTV was actually good (videos, Headbangers Ball. MTV News etc...) it seemed that Loder always had some excellent interviews with Axl. Couple questions- did Axl have certain "journalists" that he trusted? What ever happened to Loder.?...I'd love a 2014 Axl/Loder sit down interview

Well, of course it's known that Axl has trusted Del James.

Huh, interesting, thanks!

It's been the books, including yours, that have got me back into GNR. They were my favorite growing up. I've been out of the loop, but I remember that old Steven Adler website Brooke did, and actually kind of felt bad reading about all that he said happened.

Thanks for your time Marc, your section here really puts this site way above the rest IMO!

Plus, ever notice that they didn't seem to be rehearsed or even in harmony? When they sang it seemed kind of random, except maybe on Heaven's Door. Maybe it was just an 'eye candy' thing?

I believe that time heals all wounds. It's true, imo. But Axl is not your normal guy - he is stubborn. I don't think it's about money at all, maybe pride? I can't recall any really serious badmouthing against Axl from the guys, it must've been behind the scenes? Either way, no one is hurting exactly (except maybe fans) without a reunion.

Thanks! I think you're right! But what about the controversy, was it really this guy Brooke that put it all together?

Poor Axl. If he does have to depend on the cane I hope it's not for long!

Do you think Axl read Steven's book, or is it true that he actually didn't write most of it?

All of them had a ghost writer. They are musicians not writers. However Duff went to college so he took writing classes. That´s an advantage over Slash and Steven. So Duff was capable to add more writing to his book. So how it works? The ghost writer inteviewed and recorded on tape the stories they were telling. And he edited whatever draft they had written.

Thanks for that. I know what a ghost writer is but there was this whole thing that raised questions about how real the book was: http://www.thegnrsyndicate.com/interviews.php

Oh that! I remember reading something similar on the matter. I don´t know what went on. Nor I know if some stories on Steven´s book are made up by him or other people

It seems like it might be true, but who knows? Do you have any insight, Marc? I know it talks about how used to give the band free food - I'm sure that's true!

I remember reading he was friends with Slash and he wanted him with the band. They went on to do a lot of stuff together since.

I wonder why he uses a cane? A fashion accessory, or does he really need it? Those leaps and jumps he used to do could have messed him up!

Do you think Axl read Steven's book, or is it true that he actually didn't write most of it?

All of them had a ghost writer. They are musicians not writers. However Duff went to college so he took writing classes. That´s an advantage over Slash and Steven. So Duff was capable to add more writing to his book. So how it works? The ghost writer inteviewed and recorded on tape the stories they were telling. And he edited whatever draft they had written.

Thanks for that. I know what a ghost writer is but there was this whole thing that raised questions about how real the book was: http://www.thegnrsyndicate.com/interviews.php

I have a bootleg of Cornshucker but I always thought it was a terrible song! LOVE "Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory"!

Do you think Axl read Steven's book, or is it true that he actually didn't write most of it?

I saw them for the first time when the Concert for Life aired. Tracy, Roberta, and all of a sudden ANOTHER keyboard player (Teddy) were very much in the foreground. I hated it. I didn't even like Axl's beard If the term was popular then, I would have said that they "jumped the shark" but I was only 13 and I've grown to love that performance and not mind the additional players.

I used to have this, it's from a Hard and Heavy home video. I dubbed it onto a GNR VHS compilation I made and must've watched it a 100 times. Damn, I can still practically recite it, LOL!

Do you still have that VHS tape?

I'm pretty sure they're somewhere in my parent's house. I hope!

I used to have this, it's from a Hard and Heavy home video. I dubbed it onto a GNR VHS compilation I made and must've watched it a 100 times. Damn, I can still practically recite it, LOL!

The very first New Years show in Vegas. I was there, it was great to see Axl again. But since then it's been a slow painful decline, I lost interest for years until recently.

I think his band "Adler" is over. The other guys from the group seem to have quietly moved on without him and have been doing their own thing for a while now:

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lynam-cold-video-released/