1 hour ago, megaguns1982 said:

Personally if I was Axl I would be mortified at writing my own biography. 
He would have to address so much pompous bullshit he did in the 90s.

it would be embarrassing.

This is an interesting observation. He has a pending civil suit in New York and the last think his lawyers would want is him publishing a self evaluation of his, possibly ill-advised, behavior from the early years.

On 4/17/2024 at 2:19 PM, Lio said:

Where does this quote come from? When or where has he said that?

YOU GOTTA LEARN TO LIVE AND RUN,OR YOU'LL DIE TRYING.

I associate Axl with some of the most interesting quotes ever. I've read this back to front 30 times since yesterday and I cannot make any sense of it. It feels satirical because it makes no apparent sense but the way it's displayed on that website makes it look like it's some legendary, celebrated remark. Latest thing in the litany of bizarre things these musicians have done in the last 25 years.

On 2/16/2024 at 8:23 AM, JimiRose said:

I actually think we will get this in the next 5 years or so. Maybe a one off show, or a small tour in theatres or arenas. The only thing is it has to be just these on 5. No dizzy, no piano no 3rd guitarist etc. Give us 85-90 So I've tried to only pick songs from that era that steven would have a part in either demo, live or studio. 

Setlist 

1. Welcome to the Jungle
2. It's So Easy
3. Mr Brownstone
4. Reckless Life
5. Shadow Of Your Love
6. Rocket Queen
7. Out Ta Get Me
8. Civil War
9. Rocket Queen
10. You're Crazy (Lies Version)
11. My Michelle
12. Think About You
13. Nice Boys
14. Anything Goes
15. You Could Be Mine
16. Slash Solo
17. Sweet Child O' Mine
18. KOHD
19. Nightrain

     Encore

     20. Patience

     21. Don't Cry

     22. Paradise City

I left out a Duff or Izzy solo spot. I don't recall there being many in those early days, but if Axl wanted it broken up then I wouldn't mind seeing DTJ, Dust and Bones or 14 years added, or a duff punk cover. I also think there's room for Whole Lotta Rosie which that line up did (as well as others since) or heartbreak hotel, that would match the energy of that era, but whether 67 year old does it justice I dont know. 

I mean you haven’t left us many options! I’d drop You Could Be Mine and put in Move To The City.

Great topic and fun to discuss!

It's very difficult and I could change my mind on any given day. Mine as follows:

1) Hammersmith Apollo, London - 2006

2) Marlins Park, Miami - 2017

3) Circo Massimo, Rome - 2023

4) Hard Rock, Hollywood, Florida - 2021

5) Charlotte, North Carolina - 2019

6) MetLife Stadium, New Jersey - 2016 (first time I saw Axl and Slash together)

7) MetLife Stadium, New Jersey - 2021 (First concert post Covid)

8) SECC, Glasgow, Scotland - 2006

9) SECC, Glasgow, Scotland - 2012

10) MetLife Stadium, New Jersey - 2023

11) Madison Square Garden, New York -2018

I'll explain MSG as last place (in the unlikely event anyone cares). The band had been touring for 2 years straight at that point and were clearly going through the motions. MSG, in spite of reputation, is a completely flat venue on terms of audience and the band basically reflected the crowd who sat for almost all of the show. Hard Rock and Circo Massimo could easily change places because both were phenomenal for different reasons. Hammersmith Apollo No. 1 because it was the first time I ever saw Axl and that scream at the start of Jungle was so earth shattering it took me a few moments to figure out if it was the guitars or a human voice. Still get chills thinking of it.

Looking forward to reading everyone's.

This will be settled out of court. I very much doubt anyone wants this to go through the New York civil court with all the associated publicity and I very much doubt Axl’s lawyers think he has the temperament to give evidence, regardless of innocence or guilt.

4 hours ago, Blackstar said:

New interview:

https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/dave-abbruzzese-ex-pearl-jam

The GN'R part:

Songfacts: What do you recall about your experience working with Guns N' Roses?

Abbruzzese: The Guns thing was tough. Axl [Rose] and I became familiar with one another through nightly phone calls for months before we actually met and played music together. It was a tough time for me because I had quite a bit of soul poisoning from the way my manager handled my termination from Pearl Jam. I was leery of entering the big machine again because of it. Things were moving along well until I spoke to the G n' R management regarding my opinion that the new music might be better suited to an Axl solo album rather than a G n' R album.

Doug Smith [David probably means Doug Goldstein], the Guns' manager at the time, told me that the management and the label had a plan of letting the album we were making be the catalyst for getting Axl to reunite with Slash. The plan was to let him fail and the hope was that this failure would inspire him to reunite with Slash and get the big train back on the tracks. When I heard this I was forced to choose between informing Axl about it or just bowing out. I felt that if I told him of their plan it would destroy what little faith he had in the machine.

So I opted to take one on the chin and sacrifice my new friendship for the sake of Axl's ability to continue to be a creative force. It was a difficult decision but ultimately one that I am glad I made. I love that guy and I didn't want to be responsible for ruining the chance of him and the band continuing to make music for their fans that had waited so patiently for so long for G n' R to get back to it.

I have nothing to support this other than the odd thing here and there I've read about this guy over the years, but the general consensus seems to be that he's off the reservation and full of shit. In what world would a record company, who's primary focus is to make money, allow the funding and failure of an act to the detriment of their reputation just to get a prior member in? 

None of the Beatles' former studios even tried stuff like that. Sounds entirely invented.

On 11/16/2023 at 5:29 AM, ©GnrPersia said:

I'm sure Axl is having a BBQ party with him one of these days in his Malibu mansion cheering him up like "yo my man, whole my life I've been accused of abusing women, don't worry son I got your back"

Basically that'll be the mood in his camp ^

Maybe you’re right. But I’d think the way that things have caught up with 80’s/90’s actors/musicians/comedians in the past few years, I’d be staggered if they didn’t look to distance themself from this.

Axl, Slash and Duff seem like great guys these days but in a world where guys like Steven Tyler are being dug up for behavior 50 years ago, I wouldn’t count on them hoping this will just sail down the river. Potential can of worms.

19 minutes ago, PJ87 said:

As a lawyer myself, I see this as nothing more than financial dispute. Bringing claims of harassment and retaliation won't survive if she isn't an employee. An employment relationship is a prerequisite, she herself admits she was a 1099 contractor and not an employee. At best, these are breach of contract and copyright claims. The employment/harassment related claims are to attempt to gain leverage and are likely just salacious in nature (and could potentially invoke a reimbursement of attorneys fees in California). I suspect GNR/Lebeis will file a demurrer motion to this complaint rather swiftly.

This case will probably be settled out of court fairly quickly. It's a typical business dispute, these things happen all the time in business and GNR, touring, and music industry is no different. I will add that I read the complaint by Benzova's lawyer, it was pretty sloppy, and he's been licensed for only ONE YEAR. He will be outmatched. Not to say her claims don't have some merit, I wouldn't know that one way or another. But just because she alleges things doesn't make them true. She could take any little off color joke made in the last 7 years of touring, and spin it to look salacious and bad. Curious to know whether she played along and made any jokes or innuendos along the way... Hell hath no fury like a photographer scorned! 

This is a very interesting take. Do you think her Visa status (which I believe is referenced) is a factor? Also the potential that these photos were captured in a multitude of different countries with different copyright laws. Would a US Civil Court have jurisdiction if it went to that depth?

1 minute ago, Ratam said:

Del James is just Tour Manager.

When you're a band who solely tours, what is the difference?

It irks me this guy thinks he has the right to provide commentary on rock singers like he's doing it from a position of expertise or generational skill (like the people he opines on). It's been more than 20 years since The Darkness had a moment of fame and it was almost exclusively in the UK and lasted less than 1 year. Even then, mainly because of their music videos, they were considered almost a parody band in the style of Tenacious D. I was there. I remember it. Justin Hawkins is an okay singer but that's it.

He has this weird obsession with GN'R and seems to make endless videos about them. I don't know what motivates this endless criticism of a band in their 60's but it helps no one. Review up and coming rock/metal bands. We don't need your opinion on legendary musical acts.

2 hours ago, adamsapple said:

Maybe he felt like he or the song wasn't ready to perform it at that time. I haven't paid much attention to the lyrics yet, but from what I picked up about the subject matter and the vibes this song is giving me, it does not feel like a puff piece. I'm not a fan of the song yet (it's too dark and dark is not good for me at the moment lol) but I feel taken seriously as a listener and in that I respect that song a lot more than "Absurd" and will give it further listening.

I think you're totally right. It also doesn't sound like a Guns N' Roses song though (for me).

I love GN’R (every iteration) but I’m convincing myself to like this song. The subject matter sounds very personal and jarring so I won’t suggest he’s wrong to release it now (there’s no right time) but it would’ve slotted perfectly into who he was between 2002-2012. I’d have loved to have heard that Axl sing it.

Given the global uproar over The Beatles (and John Lennon) this week, I wonder if they play Catcher in the Rye at this show? They tend to have their finger on the pulse with this stuff. I was lucky enough to see it this Summer in New Jersey. It was overproduced on Chinese Democracy but arguably the best song on the album and the closest to being a true GN'R song.

4 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said:

 

I posted this elsewhere, but I think the NITL singles (and maybe Atlas or some other leftovers) will be released on their next album... and that album will be a 2CD / 4LP Greatest Hits or Best Of.

Would anyone here be really be surprised if they went the Aerosmith route and released an expanded Greatest Hits to tie in with a farewell tour? Nobody expects Axl to be performing these songs in his 70s, do they? The end is definitely getting closer, I wouldn't be surprised if the next tour (probably 2025) is marketed as a very long farewell tour... do some '40 Years Of GNR' shows in 2027 and shut it down after that. Assuming Axl's voice even lasts until then...

That said, I enjoyed the show in Vancouver this year. Songs like Pretty Tied Up, Absurd, Bad Obsession, Wichita Lineman, Down On The Farm, Don't Cry... his natural voice is still powerful and enjoyable. But the raspy highs are gone unless he's screaming at the top of his lungs, which he can't do for a full song anymore. He needs at least a few days between shows now. His voice just isn't gonna last that much longer... it is what it is, unfortunately.

I completely agree with this. Well written.

I almost would prefer GN'R avoid the KISS and Eagles route of these drawn out 'farewells' (KISS's first farewell tour was in 2003). It'd be more in keeping with GN'R to just vanish completely and leave it to our imagination. In a way Axl played the Chinese Democracy years incredibly. We were sure this genius was sitting on a goldmine of talent and he drip-fed us pieces of true genius (mainly lyrically) but leaving us wondering what else there was made it magical. Part of me would love it if they just never played ever again and we never heard from Axl again. It would be sad, bittersweet but it'd leave me longing for more which so many of these bands fail to do.

I saw Guns twice on the tour this year (Rome and MetLife) and they were just fantastic. At what point do we agree it might be time for them to give it up? I feel like an album at this stage will only damage their legacy and Axl has lost quite a bit of power in his voice this tour. His lower register still renders him a world class singer by the way, but the live videos of 'The General' are somewhat painful to watch. The song itself has potential but like most CD stuff, sounds spliced together. Think of songs like Don't Cry and Sweet Child O' Mine and then try and tell me The General is a good GN'R song. The song is bizarre and the performance of it is good but the vocals pack no punch.

It kills me to say that by the way. I was arguing with fans when Axl was slaughtered for his Glastonbury vocals but when you find yourself overwhelmingly having to justify the reasons why your favorite singer's voice no longer sounds great, it might be time to realize the reality of the situation.

Another disclaimer is that my opinion on Axl's voice changes with the wind so it'll only take one good YouTube video for me to be on here posting "Axl is back!".

1 hour ago, Arnuld said:

1. Longer 6-8 mins

2. more string emphasis because of all the talk about beltrami over the years. And the show intros in the mid to late 2000s

3. Uh not weird. The Daddy Don’t parts are just hard to listen to. 
 

4. At least one super epic Guitar solo

5. More lyrical complexity

I don't quite follow this? Not that you aren't entitled to your opinion, I just don't think I get what your opinion is?

String emphasis? No idea what that means. Aren't we listening to a leaked demo? As for 'lyrical complexity', Axl's genius has always existed in his words so whilst I agree in being excited about hearing what complex themes he's come up with, sometimes his very best is incredibly simple. The lyrics I've heard (or I think I've heard) are wonderful so far.

I’d say I wish Monsters had been on Chinese Democracy but I really think Slash’s presence on the song makes it sound like a true Guns N’ Roses song.

At first I didn’t appreciate that The General was still a demo and I’m glad it was because the intro sounded like one of those pre-loaded beats you get on an electric keyboard. I’m hoping the final version will let us hear his singing voice because it’s just wasted burying it in the mix like that.

After all these years of people using “Industrial” as the description of where Axl wanted to take GN’R, it turns out he just wanted to do some heavy metal music.

I’ll refrain from listening until we get the finished articles but cool sounding stuff.

6 hours ago, KeyserSoze said:

Not really. It’s bad. Really bad.

we see through “rose” tinted glasses (quite literally) because we are fans and know his strong points and weak points.

everyone else online who sees these clips of the popular songs all say he sounds like Vince Neil… literally look up any Tik Tok of GNR from this tour and the top comment is “Mickey Mouse” and “Man, him and Vince Neil have really fallen from grace.”

As GNR fans, thats the perception we have of Crue and Bon Jovi… im sure Vince and Jon KILL some songs, and butcher others… just like Axl

I don't think you're technically wrong in your analysis but I also think less grace is given to Axl vs. other singers, maybe because of Axl's prior reputation. Where I do disagree is saying it's "really bad" because that's just not correct. When you're there, Axl sounds great, it's money well spent and the show is excellent. Yeah, YouTube videos are unkind but he's 30 years past his prime so what are we trying to zero in on exactly?

If the bar is reading comments from people who believe Axl Rose is comparable to Vince Neil then is the analysis worth the paper it's written on?

Great photos. After Hammersmith London in 2006 and Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida 2021, I'm convince a smaller setting is the way to enjoy GN'R. I've seen them in all types of settings but those are the ones that spring to mind the second I think of GN'R live.

4 hours ago, VeeR said:

Despite being small, it looks very nice inside. Good luck and have fun for those going to the show tonight.

I went to see them here in 2021. It was a phenomenal show. Reminded me of Hammersmith Apollo in London 2006.

11 minutes ago, ShadowOfTheWave said:

You're right. Singing as awful as Axl does is something very few people have ever accomplished.

Have you seen them recently?