At Last - A Release For Chinese Democracy

[madison]

DATE: Oct. 24, 2008

SOURCE: The New York Times

At Last, a Release for Chinese Democracy

By BEN SISARIO; Compiled by DAVE ITZKOFF

Published: October 22, 2008

Bringing rock’s most notorious shaggy dog story to its conclusion, representatives of Guns N’ Roses confirmed on Wednesday that the band’s long-delayed and expensive new album will finally be released next month. The album, “Chinese Democracy,” will go on sale Nov. 23 at Best Buy stores and online as part of an exclusive deal. It is the band’s first new album in 17 years. “The release of ‘Chinese Democracy’ marks a historic moment in rock ’n’ roll,” the band’s managers, Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, said in a statement. “Guns N’ Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning.” The song “Chinese Democracy” was officially released to radio stations around the country at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Fan reaction online was instantaneous. By 5:01, one listener had already posted a comment on a fan discussion page, mygnrforum.com. “Its awesome!!!,” the post said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/arts/mus...amp;oref=slogin

Related forum discussion:

http://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?showtopic=127612

[madison]

DATE: Oct. 22, 2008

SOURCE: PRNewswire

Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy CD Set for November 23 Release at Best Buy; First Single - 'Chinese Democracy' - Premieres on Radio on October 22; Pre-Order Begins Today at www.bestbuy.com/chinesedemocracy

22 October 2008

12:14

PR Newswire (U.S.)

Copyright © 2008 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Buy and Geffen Records announced that one of the most highly anticipated albums of all time, Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, will be available beginning Nov. 23 at Best Buy and BestBuy.com on CD, vinyl, and digital downloads. The title track, the first single from the album, was released to radio today, October 22. Chinese Democracy is the first album of new material from one of rock's most influential bands since the 1991 simultaneous releases of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

"The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock n' roll," said co-managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould. "We're launching with a monumental campaign developed by Gary Arnold and the Best Buy team that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N' Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

"Chinese Democracy is one of the most highly anticipated albums in music history, and Best Buy is thrilled to deliver this explosive and previously elusive release to Guns N' Roses fans. Longtime fans will be rewarded for their patience and loyalty to this great band, while a new generation of fans will be blown away," said Gary Arnold, Senior Entertainment Officer for Best Buy. "Axl Rose is one of the most dynamic and gifted writers and performers in modern music. Best Buy is excited to work with Axl to make the release of Chinese Democracy THE musical event of 2008!"

"Guns N' Roses is THE premier American rock band," commented Steve Berman, President, Sales and Marketing, Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "Partnering with Gary and everyone at Best Buy to release one of rock's most anticipated and legendary albums is truly a moment in music history. We're thrilled to be able to announce that Chinese Democracy is coming, it's coming this year, and it's coming to Best Buy."

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, the album, which will be released on Black Frog/Geffen Records, includes 14 tracks. "Shackler's Revenge" debuted September 14 through the Rock Band 2 videogame and "If The World" can be heard in the film 'Body Of Lies," which premiered on October 11.

Chinese Democracy is being released in three formats: CD, Vinyl LP (with a free digital download of the tracks), and as a digital album. Pre-orders at http://www.BestBuy.com/chinesedemocracy begin today.

Guns N' Roses has sold 90 million albums worldwide, more than 42 million in the United States alone. Appetite for Destruction has sold 18 million copies and reached number one in the U.S. Additionally, the album charted three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Welcome To The Jungle" and "Sweet Child o' Mine." 1991's Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II debuted on the two highest spots on the Billboard 200, the first time an artist achieved this feat.

About Interscope Geffen A&M Records

Combining the legacies of three of the most influential record labels in modern music history, Interscope Geffen A&M Records embarked on a new tradition of musical achievement with its unification on January 1, 1999. Headed by Chairman Jimmy Iovine, Interscope Geffen A&M is a major force in global music, developing chart-topping artists across a wide range of musical genres including rock, rap, pop and alternative. Interscope Geffen A&M Records is part of Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) operates a global portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation. Our employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspirations. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services through more than 1,150 retail stores across the United States, throughout Canada and in China. Our multi-channel operations include: Best Buy (BestBuy.com, BestBuy.ca and BestBuy.com.cn), Future Shop (FutureShop.ca), Geek Squad (GeekSquad.com and GeekSquad.ca), Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers (PacificSales.com), Magnolia Audio Video (Magnoliaav.com) and Jiangsu Five Star Appliance Co. (Five-Star.cn). Best Buy supports the communities in which its employees work and live through volunteerism and grants that benefit children and education.

SOURCE Geffen Records

----------------------------------

DATE: Oct. 22, 2008

SOURCE: PRNewswire

GUNS N' ROSES. CHINESE DEMOCRACY. NOVEMBER 23. * * * *; First Single, 'Chinese Democracy', Debuts Today, October 22; * * * * *

22 October 2008

12:10

PR Newswire (U.S.)

Copyright © 2008 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese Democracy has finally arrived. One of the most highly anticipated albums in rock history, the long-awaited Chinese Democracy marks the first album of new material from Guns N' Roses since 1991's simultaneous release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. With a frenzied energy, Guns N' Roses arrived on the music scene in the mid-'80s and rock was never the same. Now the enormously influential G N' R is ready to rock once again.

Chinese Democracy (Black Frog/Geffen Records) will be available globally on November 23 on CD and vinyl (accompanied by a free digital download of the tracks), and as a separate digital album.

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, Chinese Democracy includes 14 tracks. The title track and first single from the album, "Chinese Democracy", will be released to radio at 5:00 am eastern time today. Two of the recordings have been recently released--"Shackler's Revenge" debuted September 14 in the "Rock Band 2" videogame and "If The World" debuted October 11 in the film Body Of Lies.

"The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock 'n' roll," said Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, Guns N' Roses' co-managers, "and we're launching with a monumental campaign that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. Guns N' Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

"Guns N' Roses redefined the American rock band and became a global music icon," added Steve Berman, President, Sales and Marketing, Interscope Geffen A&M Records. "We're incredibly excited that Chinese Democracy will be heard worldwide through Geffen Records and the Universal Music Group."

Seventeen years ago, the two previous original albums from one of rock's most intense and compelling bands, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, were issued simultaneously, a first for any contemporary artist. Debuting #2 and #1, respectively, they featured three gold hits with "November Rain" (#3), "Don't Cry" (#10) and the previously released Top 30 "You Could Be Mine" from the film Terminator II: Judgement Day, plus another Top 40 with "Live And Let Die." Each album went seven times platinum.

The band's 1987 full-length debut Appetite For Destruction has sold more than 28 million copies worldwide (18 times platinum in the U.S.) and is among the biggest-selling albums in history. The #1 album notched three Top 10 hits--the gold anthem "Welcome To The Jungle" and #1 "Sweet Child o' Mine" plus "Paradise City." 1988's #2, five times platinum G N' R Lies yielded the gold Top 5 "Patience." After the Use Your Illusion duo, 1994's "The Spaghetti Incident?" cover album reached #4 and platinum.

In 1999, a live album earned gold and in 2004 the band's only Greatest Hits collection peaked at #3 and earned quadruple platinum. Overall, Guns N' Roses has sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

SOURCE Geffen

[madison]

DATE: Oct. 24, 2008

SOURCE: The Irish News

Eighties rockers return with a renewed appetite for destruction

24 October 2008

The Irish News and The Irish Examiner

Guns N' Roses' comeback album Chinese Democracy is finally ready for release, after a 17-year wait for fans.

The record, billed as "one of the most highly anticipated albums in rock history", marks the first album of new material from the band since 1991's simultaneous release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

Guns N' Roses took the rock scene by storm in the mid-1980s, packing out stadiums.

Appetite for Destruction was a huge worldwide success shifting more than 28 million copies worldwide and becoming one of the best-selling albums yet.

Overall the band has sold more than 90 million records globally.

Fronted by Axl Rose, the group has gone through various line-up changes since they were formed.

They are known for head-banging anthems such as Sweet Child o' Mine, Paradise City and Welcome to the Jungle.

"The release of Chinese Democracy marks a historic moment in rock n' roll," Irving Azoff and Andy Gould, Guns N' Roses' co-managers, said in a statement.

"And we're launching with a monumental campaign that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself.

"Guns N' Roses fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning."

Chinese Democracy is released in Britain and Northern Ireland on November 24 on CD and vinyl (accompanied by a free digital download of the tracks), and as a separate digital album.

The 14-track album includes the song If The World, which was included on the soundtrack to the film Body of Lies.

The title track and first single from the album had its first radio play yesterday and the new music has generated much internet debate.

One comment on fan discussion website www.mygnrforum.com read: "I think it's a good song but expectations are way too high."

Another fan left a comment saying: "I don't really care if some 14-year-old girls don't like it, they can listen to Pink, Avril and Timberlake for all I care."