JoJo Bonetto

This was the Rio 91 soundcheck. He also sung part of Crash Diet and was wearing very revealing shorts (and nothing else).

I find this case interesting, although depressing. I knew about it due to the Look Away documentary and it has already been proven that Axl knew about it at that point too, as he denied the allegations made via a lawyer at the time. I always interpreted the Look Away documentary retelling of events as rape because consent is murky when the sex follows violence. That said, I don't find Sheila’s story persuasive and there is something "off" about it that I have never been able to identify. I support the idea that historic allegations should be able to be made but I do side eye the timing on this one, too. I think saying Sheila is only doing it because she wants a payday is over simplifying something complicated. I wonder why anyone would actually choose to raise a lawsuit against Axl Rose. It was never really going to go another way. He has too much money and influence to not retaliate and in my view, that makes it not worth it. That's the only thing that makes me wonder if something did happen between them. In terms of risk vs reward, the risks would have been too high for me and would have outweighed any reward, no matter how desperate for a payout I was (for whatever reason). The only other reason I can think of for bringing this lawsuit is that she may want to rebrand herself as an "activist" and the reward may actually be what comes later, even if the lawsuit fails. I am interested to see what comes next.

I thought his reply was interesting, particularly about the primary residence. I have heard of him having other properties but was never sure how accurate it was, so that makes sense from a legal standpoint. I did still think Malibu was his primary residence though. That said, it doesn't sound like he has been there much recently so maybe he has been laying low long term elsewhere. Everyone knows the Malibu address, I could understand him wanting a different address that is less well known. I think him wanting to get damages was to be expected. He was unlikely to just accept it. The entire lawsuit seemed to be framed in such a way that it would piss him off more than get a settlement. It sounds like it did just that.

Love it. I second the request for Bring it Back Home.

It sounds great and I am looking forward to hearing it when I see them in London in April.

It is not beyond the realm of possibility that he has put his love life on hold while touring but on the other hand he has quite a few more resources at his disposal than the average person to make a relationship work over distances and busy schedules. Slash and Duff appear to make their relationships work. It goes back to my original point really, if he is single it is because he wants to be, for whatever reason. Work could be a factor but most of the time it is multiple reasons and not just one.

Axl is a grown man. I think Team Brazil, as his chosen family, can persuade him to do some things, but every decision he makes about how he lives his life is his own. He probably makes compromises like all adults do with people they share their life with. I have no real opinion on Team Brazil beyond that because I don't feel I am qualified to make that judgement. Whatever gets him through the day (and night) is fine with me, within reason. I do think that if Axl didn't want to be single he wouldn't be, and he probably does have romantic relationships no one knows about. I think his fame and wealth is probably more of a hindrance to finding someone who is not thirsty for what he can give them than his historical reputation for not always being the most gentle partner, for want of a better description.

Thanks, I suppose one thing I hadn't considered is he may actually be on holiday.

I haven't seen any movement on this case yet but I am in the UK so US justice is a mystery to me. Shouldn't he have responded to the summons by now?

I think he explained the pussy full of maggots line recently on stage. Something about seeing it on TV and using it in the song. I didn't pay all that much attention to it because I am indifferent to that song, for the most part. I think that, and no one can ever really know the truth, he is putting on a show with a stage persona at this point. He may find some things funny, he normally looks like he is having a chuckle when singing Absurd, but I don't think it goes much deeper than that because he has most likely moved on. People do move on. Not everyone stays in the same place mentally forever. He is what...? 61 now, I think. People need to stop assessing his thoughts, feelings and behaviour based on a much younger version of who he was. It's performance.

Enjoy the festive season 🎄

I was just about to mention this - He did it during almost every show in the early 90s, usually while introducing songs/having a rant.

I have noticed the unblinking stare. It is most noticeable in the footage from the Steven Adler court case on YouTube. It is a bit disconcerting. There are lots of things he does on stage that are his thing, like the walking backwards previously mentioned but I wouldn't call them quirks, as such. Edit: I am talking about Axl in case you didn't figure it out.

I am a vinyl girl although I have yet to unbox my old vinyl because my record player was destroyed so I shut it away to be cat safe. The list above feels pretty comprehensive. I think I have some pre 2016 singles on vinyl somewhere, too and obviously still need to get Perhaps (I have the Japanese CD coming for now). The scarcest vinyl I have noticed for GNR is Chinese Democracy (in the UK). The most expensive is the Live Like a Suicide EP, Spaghetti Incident (also scarce), GNR Lies (there are 2 slightly different covers for GNR Lies if I recall correctly). The AfD ones vary depending on pressing and cover but seem to be cheaper. UYI vary depending on release.

1989, while watching a recorded VHS version of the Ritz 88 performance.

Yes, that's exactly it. I was 13 when I watched the Ritz 88 performance in 89 on the tv. It got me into them and I still love it now. You can argue it is nostalgia and it wasn't their best performance but to be great, you don't have to be technically perfect and have everything go right. It did what it needed to do. The Wembley 91 gig was wild really, I was 15 and chaperoned but it was mind boggling how huge it was. I agree the crowd was rabid and the anticipation was intense. It was a once in a lifetime energy that I have never come close to experiencing at other gigs.

I am biased to like this one because I was there but there is no official video beyond the one song they did and the audio for Nightrain members, as I understand it. Beyond that, I like all the Ritz shows.

I spend what I want to, based on what I have available at the time, which isn't a lot. I paid for all their albums and some late 80s/early 90s merch (UYI tour t shirt and programme, pewter jewellery, photos, VHS tapes - I was a teen so was into all that). Lithographs aside, I don't like much of the merch they sell now. Most of the clothes are fugly and I don't need a puzzle. I did find the 8-ball moderately amusing but not enough to buy it. The boxsets are a bit pricey for me but I would consider it if the money was there. This year, I have the Japan release on order but that's about it. Nightrain membership seems like it could be a bit better value than it is but I am no expert.

It would only invalidate my 'never' argument if I had made a 'never' argument. In fact, I am not arguing at all about anything. You are.

Not always. I write and have had a novel longlisted. I know a fair bit of which I speak and you can't adopt a one size fits all approach to creativity.

Yes but it is about being in the right headspace, not whether you can physically write in a journal. A lot of things can affect whether you are in the right headspace, including drink and drugs, or whatever made you decide to take them in the first place.

A lot of things can affect your ability to keep a journal, including that.

I think that as much as people want to hear from Axl, his no talking/keep talking to a minimum policy is smart. It is the right way to deal with it for the timebeing given the world we live in now compared to say.... 1989.

I think he remembers everything now and maybe from 1991/2 onwards but in 1989? I think that is doubtful. He was not quite as settled back then. He got there, but I don't think he was there yet. Also as someone who had a misspent youth, I can confirm that drugs and booze affect the ability to remember.