What changed?

[Young_Gun]

Watch him in this video, he is like a ball of fire. He had the energy, was fit and his vocals kicked total ass. He really gave it his all. If you compare this video to even the later 2010 shows you can see a vivid difference in his body language. I'm not even going to go into Rio 2011 as that is a moot point. But during the 2006-2007 tour he was much more alive, the whole band looked alive and full of kinetic energy. 2010 saw a mostly serious Ron Thal and misplaced DJ Ashba(even though he does have presence) and while Axl's vocals improved tremendously, I don't think he came close to matching the showmanship and presence of the 2006 shows, even on the old songs. Could Robin's departure have been another big blow to him? Did the lack of support for the record disenchant him? I hope he improves(and he probably will) but even in 2010 he came nothing near his 2006 self, and I do not think it has to do with being 4 years younger...

[Young_Gun]

I think something between the last tour and now is bothering him. Has nothing to do with 2006 or Robin.

Thanks for the serious reply. I don't know though, something was missing during the 2010 tour, he looked less excited to be there. 2006 he was much more talkative and even did mini-rants. I remember he even said something along the lines of "this is a great great great crowd" to the people in Poland in 2006/07. He was moving all over the place when I saw him in 2007. He even said something like "I can't wait to get to my hotel and rip off Kylie Moniques underwear...... cause they are really hurting my balls!" at the Melbourne 2007 show

Edited October 5, 2011 by Young_Gun

[bionic56]

I'd say a reason is the way he looks. In 2006 he still looked quite young and was in really good shape, today he doesn't look that well, and even someone like Axl will be concious of this, he's human like us, when i look sort of haha i feel great and am always in a good mood, i'm sure if he just lost a bit of weight we will all see him joking around again

[Young_Gun]

He even said something like "I can't wait to get to my hotel and rip off Kylie Moniques underwear...... cause they are really hurting my balls!" at the Melbourne 2007 show

Honestly there was less snake dancing in 2010 but maybe because he didn't want to get out of breath dancing and running?

One thing we have to agree on any show from 2010 is better than Rock in Rio 2011 (vocally)

I'm staying away from Rio 2011 as it was his first show in 10 months. The whole vibe I got from watching the 2010 shows was a sadder Axl. Watch November Rain at Rock AM 2006 and you can see him smiling and laughing, a stark contrast to the aforementioned show and even the 2010 shows...

[djtripp20]

I think he's just getting older. Maybe all the snake dancing and jumping wears on ya. He needs to keep that energy up so he can belt out those lyrics we all love. The last thing we need is him running out of breath.

[Powerage5]

I think he's just getting older. Maybe all the snake dancing and jumping wears on ya. He needs to keep that energy up so he can belt out those lyrics we all love. The last thing we need is him running out of breath.

This. 4 years can make a huge difference in how one performs. The vocals are first and foremost, if he still has the energy to put on a great performance, that's a bonus.

[Black Sabbath]

I don't care what anyone says, I think '06 Axl looked and sounded the best.

[wreckless]

Yeah cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnH0DZSfX74

[Snowmass]

It's been half a decade since then (2006). He's almost 50 and doesn't keep himself together. He could easily have another 5 + years of energy if he cared. Springsteen is 60 and looks like a million bucks. Maybe Axl has lost what little interest he had.

[bangit]

I'd say a reason is the way he looks. In 2006 he still looked quite young and was in really good shape, today he doesn't look that well, and even someone like Axl will be concious of this, he's human like us, when i look sort of haha i feel great and am always in a good mood, i'm sure if he just lost a bit of weight we will all see him joking around again

He looks the same as he did in 09 / 10. the mans 50 for fucks sake, what do you expect him to look like?

Look back at 09s first few shows, he was fat then!

I actually thought he looked pretty good after having a year off.

[axlr23]

Watch him in this video, he is like a ball of fire. He had the energy, was fit and his vocals kicked total ass. He really gave it his all. If you compare this video to even the later 2010 shows you can see a vivid difference in his body language. I'm not even going to go into Rio 2011 as that is a moot point. But during the 2006-2007 tour he was much more alive, the whole band looked alive and full of kinetic energy. 2010 saw a mostly serious Ron Thal and misplaced DJ Ashba(even though he does have presence) and while Axl's vocals improved tremendously, I don't think he came close to matching the showmanship and presence of the 2006 shows, even on the old songs. Could Robin's departure have been another big blow to him? Did the lack of support for the record disenchant him? I hope he improves(and he probably will) but even in 2010 he came nothing near his 2006 self, and I do not think it has to do with being 4 years younger...

I believe that it is a combination of stuff, one can only speculate. There are are probably behind the scenes shit that we are not aware of. I believe that he may see his dreams not coming to fruition, his goals have been side tracked with legal battles and other stuff. I dont believe he was ready to release chinese democracy rather forced to, that explains no promotion on his part nor any videos for the songs. He is a legend and I love his music no matter whom he plays with!!!

[bionic56]

I'd say a reason is the way he looks. In 2006 he still looked quite young and was in really good shape, today he doesn't look that well, and even someone like Axl will be concious of this, he's human like us, when i look sort of haha i feel great and am always in a good mood, i'm sure if he just lost a bit of weight we will all see him joking around again

He looks the same as he did in 09 / 10. the mans 50 for fucks sake, what do you expect him to look like?

Look back at 09s first few shows, he was fat then!

I actually thought he looked pretty good after having a year off.

You are missing the point totally mate, i expect him to look how the hell he wants too, but you could tell his stomach was bothering him as he kept pulling his jacket down all through Estranged, How you look does affect how you feel and he was not a very happy person, and im sure missing a few lyrics wouldnt have put him in that bad of a mood, it was just a thought why he was so moody that is all

[burden]

Axl's job is to write music, take care of his voice and stay in shape. Period. He doesn't get up in the morning and do construction. If he is going to charge $100 per ticket and try and get 10,000 plus fans at a concert at a minimum he should make sure he is physically fit to perform and mentally ready to perform. He is tarnishing his own legacy by continuing to perform and not meet the minimum standards of his job. I watched Pretty Tied Up at Rock in Rio II the other day - that was a great band!!

He's 50 but he can easily stay in shape. I saw Springsteen perform 3 hours straight without any breaks and he was amazing. Why? Because he cares.

[tomfriend]

He was dancing less because it was raining, he's got a tour coming up, and maybe - just maybe - he doesn't want to slip and break his neck.

His voice was poor-ish because it was his first show in a year.

He was pulling his jacket down cause it was one of those half length leather jackets that keeps riding up.

Get the fuck over it.

[wasteofammo]

I don't care what anyone says, I think '06 Axl looked and sounded the best.

I agree... i saw him live front and center and could not believe how amazing it was. Im hoping he brings something similar to Orlando.

[tippin]

In 2006, I honestly believe that he was intent on getting back to the top again..CD wasn't out yet, so there were high hopes there, and you could tell that he put in alot of work to get the look and sound that could take him there..hell..he even did a couple interviews and went on the vma's..

Now though, with the whole CD promotion debacle and no new album in sight, I think quite frankly, he's given up on his goal of getting back to the top of the mountain..just my opinion of course, but the evidence seems to suggest it..

[saber_]

It's been half a decade since then (2006). He's almost 50 and doesn't keep himself together. He could easily have another 5 + years of energy if he cared. Springsteen is 60 and looks like a million bucks. Maybe Axl has lost what little interest he had.

Springsteen does not look like a million bucks. He looks haggard.

[Use Your Delusion 1]

2006 can't beat this powerful voice though

[watchman]

Axl's job is to write music, take care of his voice and stay in shape. Period. He doesn't get up in the morning and do construction. If he is going to charge $100 per ticket and try and get 10,000 plus fans at a concert at a minimum he should make sure he is physically fit to perform and mentally ready to perform.

He's 50 but he can easily stay in shape. I saw Springsteen perform 3 hours straight without any breaks and he was amazing. Why? Because he cares.

This.

[Black Horse]

Can you please get over the past tours?. Can´t you understand that maybe Axl had a bad day, that maybe he himself didn´t feel happy with his performance, that it was the first show of the tour, that he could have been more nervous than normal...etc?

We all agree that was not the best performance but I think the bashing is getting too far. I am of the opinion that it is in situations like this when one needs more support than ever and most of you are acting right the opposite way.

This is not being blind, this is being supportive towards the person who is supposed to be your favourite singer. I am sure that he´ll get better and better as the tour goes on.

[Guest NewGNRnOldGNR]

Axl was miserable at Rio as a result of the conditions which oppressed the possibility of a great show (admittedly he contributed with a lack of preparation).

But to suggest this was a trend in 2010 also is false. Axl was very happy and enthusiastic for the most part with the exception of irregularities like Dublin.

[sogey1]

Can you please get over the past tours?. Can´t you understand that maybe Axl had a bad day, that maybe he himself didn´t feel happy with his performance, that it was the first show of the tour, that he could have been more nervous than normal...etc?

We all agree that was not the best performance but I think the bashing is getting too far. I am of the opinion that it is in situations like this when one needs more support than ever and most of you are acting right the opposite way.

This is not being blind, this is being supportive towards the person who is supposed to be your favourite singer. I am sure that he´ll get better and better as the tour goes on.

I agree 100%,all this bashing is getting out of hand. He had a bad day,but he doesn't deserve soo much hate.

[TeeJay410]

I think it has to be dawning on Axl that with every year the chances he can make an impact with this band are getting lower and lower. More than anything I think we can all agree is that Axl wants respect for his vision. Axl had the best chance possible in 2006. Because of VR the GN'R name was still in the spotlight magnifying anything he did. There was still mystery. He sounded great and if it weren't for the cornrows he looked great. The band was solid (but really, when hasn't it been?) and he had a hit in the making with "Better". I think he regrets not pulling the trigger then, and if he doesn't he should.

Edited October 5, 2011 by tuyfuvk17

[GET OFF AXLS BACK]

Can you please get over the past tours?. Can´t you understand that maybe Axl had a bad day, that maybe he himself didn´t feel happy with his performance, that it was the first show of the tour, that he could have been more nervous than normal...etc?

We all agree that was not the best performance but I think the bashing is getting too far. I am of the opinion that it is in situations like this when one needs more support than ever and most of you are acting right the opposite way.

This is not being blind, this is being supportive towards the person who is supposed to be your favourite singer. I am sure that he´ll get better and better as the tour goes on.

I agree 100%,all this bashing is getting out of hand. He had a bad day,but he doesn't deserve soo much hate.

Huge difference between being upset and hating,too many people are acting like daring to comment on certain aspects of Rio is the same as hating.I can be upset with things and not hate the man,I can be upset with things and also be positive about tonight and the rest of the tour.

Lets all have an opinion without resorting to it being hate,I hope people that hate Axl are not posting here.I do however hope people that can post honestly and without blind admiration post more.

[sleeper]

To the OP maybe the lawsuits have not gone well.