Axl Rose not attending HOF

[Flayer]

Apparently the other thread I was gonna post this in was deleted, but for other content in the OP. This actually bears looking at.

Axl Rose returns 126,000,000 Google search results. That is by googling ["Axl Rose" Axl], which would eliminate unrelated Rose results (its 154,000,000 if you don't do that).

Now, let's compare it a bit to some other rock notables:

David Lee Roth: 7,480,000 (who's pretending to the throne ? :xmasssanta: )

Gene Simmons: 12,100,000

Keith Richards: 13,000,000

Robert Plant: 19,000,000

Freddie Mercury: 21,100,000

Jim Morrison: 26,500,000

Elvis Presley: 27,900,000

Ozzy Osbourne: 37,200,000

Johnny Cash: 44,100,000

Alice Cooper: 44,500,000

Brian May: 49,200,000

John Lennon: 50,600,000

Jimi Hendrix: 53,600,000

Tommy Lee: 55,200,000

Bob Dylan: 63,500,000

Steven Tyler: 65,800,000

Marilyn Manson: 71,600,000

David Bowie: 71,800,000

Sebastian Bach: 81,300,000 (riding heavily on the coattails of the composer)

Elton John: 108,000,000

Paul McCartney: 114,000,000

Bob Marley: 121,000,000

Slash: 125,000,000 (Slash's results, however, will turn up many other uses of the word, such as the verb and the term for gay crossover porn fanfics)

And less deserving notables:

Snooki: 43,500,000

Nickelback: 57,300,000

Ke$ha: 66,600,000

Lana Del Rey: 72,900,000

Donald Trump: 75,300,000

Bon Jovi: 81,300,000 (drops to 3,730,000 if you include his first name)*

Madonna: 92,500,000

Bono: 105,000,000*

Osama Bin Laden: 123,000,000

The only ones I'm finding that beat him are current pop star names thrown around absolutely constantly like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga. He is the king of rock n' roll, however.

*Apologies if you're actually a fan of Jovi or Bono, just couldn't resist the swipe at them B)

Edited April 12, 2012 by Flayer

[Strange Broue]

Great

He's the rock n' roll king of Google

[Nosaj Thing]

Great

He's the rock n' roll king of Google

[dalsh327]

Some people march to the beat of a different drummer, I think Mike Nesmith wrote a song about that, and he's someone who didn't ride the oldies circuit with Davy, Peter, and Micky.

Yes they do. The difference is that most of them don't hang on to their hatred, while being completely incapable of explaining why they are so full of hate, even after 20 years have passed.

I love the Monkees, and us Monkees fans don't have to worry about "what might have been" or "why didn't they just talk once" now that one of them has passed away.

Mike did a UK arena tour with them and a special guest here and there, but even Mike's said 'we were just a TV show'. You prob. know enough about what they went through in the 70s up to when MTV did Monkees marathons to repeat what happened, but Peter was the first to go and tried to distance himself the furthest from it. Davy in the 70s, the most memorable thing was The Brady Bunch, and it was right after The Monkees disbanded. But their biggest battle was the whole "real band" thing than it was towards each other.

[GNR123GNR456]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682996/axl-rose-rock-n-roll-hall-of-fame-open-letter.jhtml

To: W. Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,

Greetings from New York City, which is approximately 490 miles from Cleveland, site of this weekend's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and roughly 50 bazillion miles from whatever Bedouin caravan Mr. Rose is currently encamped with — though, to be honest, it feels much farther removed from both. Especially given the reaction most GN'R fans have had to Rose's open letter to the Hall of Fame, which he published Wednesday and which has subsequently turned him into the most hated man on the Internet.

Here's the thing (and, really, the reason I'm writing this letter): Despite the thousands of comments his letter has generated — which largely run the gamut from "YOU SUCK" to "Axl Rose is a freaking whiny-ass bitch" — I'm happy to be in the minority of people who seemingly have no problem with it whatsoever. In fact, I think it's pretty awesome.

Because I support Axl Rose. And yes, I am aware that, in the past, I have called him "the creepy old guy with the Raiders jersey who lives on top of the hill" and compared him to Lil Wayne. And sure, I realize his recent, uh, output might not be on par with Guns' previous efforts (anyone can have a bad 20 years). But after reading his letter, none of those things matter. Or, if anything, they actually made it better for me. Because Axl Rose is a rock star. Maybe the last one standing. He is an anachronism and an enigma. There will never be another like him, and really, his missive to the Rock Hall is just further proof of all those points.

To wit: There are a lot of words in Rose's letter (more than 1,000 of them), none of which are "apology." This is because Axl never apologizes. Because he doesn't have to, and he doesn't care if that offends you. He also never allows himself to be backed into a corner — and everything from his unrelenting blood feud with Slash to the 15-year wait for Chinese Democracy is basically proof of this — and he intimates at several points in his letter that everyone from the HOF committee to his former bandmates was basically attempting to do just that. So rather than be intimidated, Rose just decided to walk away from the whole thing. As he writes, "No one's taking the ball and going home. ... From my perspective ... the ball's never been in our court."

It's easy to call Rose a jerk for doing this, but, really, he is a jerk. It's what makes him who he is and why he's still able to sell out arenas around the world. We've come to expect nothing less, and yet we're willing to vilify him for acting the way he always has.

In some bizarre way, by skipping the induction (and asking his name not be mentioned in absentia), Rose displays a supreme level of actual integrity. Unlike, say, Ozzy Osbourne, who previously asked that his band Black Sabbath no longer be considered for the Hall only to show up at the 2006 induction and call it an "achievement," Axl won't come crawling back. And unlike fellow 2006 inductees Blondie, he spared anyone the ugly onstage feud that surely would've erupted by simply saying, "No thanks." He does what he wants and only what he wants. And the same goes for that much-discussed GN'R reunion, which he shuts down in the letter because, really, it's "time to move on."

And that last quote should be taken to heart by all the Guns fans out there raging against Rose today. Because, really, it is time to move on. Move on from your misguided beliefs that Rose is ever going to change or suddenly have a moment of clarity. It's been, like, 20 years now, and he's never wavered from his original point: No reunion, not ever. Guns N' Roses are still a band and they still tour, and if you don't like it, then don't come out to the shows. Even though you probably still will.

So, sure, be angry with Axl today. Make claims of never listening to his music again (which would suppose he's ever going to make music again) and accuse him of putting himself before his fans. But don't take him to task for being the same person he's been for 25 years now, because, really, you wouldn't want him to change. Not for a reunion tour, not for an induction ceremony, not for anything. He will continue to blaze his own path whether you follow him or not. And I applaud him for doing so. He is Axl Rose, after all. He is rock and roll in an era where that phrase has increasingly less clout. We want him on that wall. We need him on that wall. It's about the only way we can sleep at night, knowing somewhere, Axl is watching over us all. And writing open letters to let us know he still cares.

Sincerely,

James Montgomery

Edited April 13, 2012 by GNR123GNR456

[Lex Steele]

Great letter from Axl, cant blame him for not showing up and avoiding all the unnecessary drama

[Voodoochild]

Bullshit and Theories aside.. Let's cut to the core of why Axls not showing..

He's a coward..

LOL. That's why he will never play at Philly or Ireland again, right? Oh, wait..

[sleishman drums]

Bullshit and Theories aside.. Let's cut to the core of why Axls not showing..

He's a coward..

LOL. That's why he will never play at Philly or Ireland again, right? Oh, wait..

He's a coward.. End of discussion.

[GeetarMikey]

Axl snubbing the HOF is his decision to make, we all know that and in some ways we respect him for it, BUT; him not showing is annoying because the current incarnation of GN'R are mostly touring on GN'R's past history.

We all know that CD didn't set the world on fire like it should have, but Axl keeps the GN'R name going because of all the amazing music they wrote with the classic line-up and that's what he was getting inducted for. This is why it's annoying Axl doesn't want to be inducted etc etc, because it's SO obvious he did his best work with them and his touring is based off his work with the classic GN'R because, seriously, who goes to a GN'R concert now to hear stuff of C.D. apart from curisoity?

My opinion anyway, I imagine this will probably be deleted so, whatever

Mikey

[Haters Gonna Hate]

I imagine this will probably be deleted so, whatever

Yes probably.

[ShadowOfTheWave]

Bullshit and Theories aside.. Let's cut to the core of why Axls not showing..

He's a coward..

LOL. That's why he will never play at Philly or Ireland again, right? Oh, wait..

He's a coward.. End of discussion.

And what is he scared of? A pathetic media whore? Ungrateful passive agressive fans pining for a reunion while pretending to support him?

[wasted]

It's the CD songs which is keep it fresh n viable. Maybe not the most popular but best is subjective.

[GeetarMikey]

Haha! I really like CD though and the current band is mostly shit-hot, but I'm just generally explaining why A LOT of fans will be annoyed. I just don't get these GN'R fans who think Slash is the enemy, because without him they wouldn't be HALF as popular (Leading up to HOF etc...)

I just think it'd be so great for Axl to acknowledge his history at HOF while still moving on w/current line-up that's all!

Edited April 13, 2012 by GeetarMikey

[GeetarMikey]

It's annoying it's not even GN'R who are getting inducted - just individual members. I used to think they were the world's GREATEST rock band of all time, but that's all gone to shit now really hasn't it?

[shotgunblues1978]

Bullshit and Theories aside.. Let's cut to the core of why Axls not showing..

He's a coward..

LOL. That's why he will never play at Philly or Ireland again, right? Oh, wait..

He's a coward.. End of discussion.

Says the guy talking shit about him anonymously online

[Izzyslash]

And what is he scared of? A pathetic media whore? Ungrateful passive agressive fans pining for a reunion while pretending to support him?

Oh hi stupid. He's scared of the bigger man Slash. And the ungrateful passive fans as you claim they/we are, are actually the ones who allways have supported him, made him what he is, and given him the opportunity to do what he does. He obviously don't give a fuck, but what else is new. The only thing that seems to be on Axl's mind is how much better off Slash has been since the breakup of GNR, than him. And my oh my is he a bitter old twat about it. To bad he's such a great frontman, and that I've allways loved that he is the last rockstar and couldn't give a shit, that makes him hard to dislike, but I really dislike the decisions he made now and came forward with in his whiny letter. Well, lets hope Izzy shows, and the band play a few songs just to again show the fans who are the winners in all this.

[maynard]

i guess if this was a no win situation, axl lost the worst way. look at the negativity. some praise him, with the last "rockstar" bullshit that doesn't make sense.

let's hope this is the last tour for some years and that they release something new soon.

i want to like gnr again, i want to hear new music.

it's ridiculous to keep playing old songs and trying to prove a point with a new band. doesn't make sense, seriously.

[Zeppelin]

Axl is Axl. Everyone's constant wishes for him to change or show a little leniency here or there just aren't realistic. Everyone whining here is holding onto something that isn't there. Wishing for something that won't happen. Everyone wants what they can't have, and I understand why people want to see Axl open up a little bit. But, again, it just won't happen.

Axl might be pissing a lot of people off. But the day he changes who he is and what he stands for, is the day I lose respect for him. To me, he's still showing who he is. That's all I need from him.

Oh, and make some more music.

[ShadowOfTheWave]

And what is he scared of? A pathetic media whore? Ungrateful passive agressive fans pining for a reunion while pretending to support him?

Oh hi stupid. He's scared of the bigger man Slash. And the ungrateful passive fans as you claim they/we are, are actually the ones who allways have supported him, made him what he is, and given him the opportunity to do what he does. He obviously don't give a fuck, but what else is new. The only thing that seems to be on Axl's mind is how much better off Slash has been since the breakup of GNR, than him. And my oh my is he a bitter old twat about it. To bad he's such a great frontman, and that I've allways loved that he is the last rockstar and couldn't give a shit, that makes him hard to dislike, but I really dislike the decisions he made now and came forward with in his whiny letter. Well, lets hope Izzy shows, and the band play a few songs just to again show the fans who are the winners in all this.

Slash the bigger man for showing up? Slash would never miss a chance to be in the spotlight and be the center of attention.

You've given him the opportunity to do what he does? OK, you buy the music, you get the music. You buy the shows, you get the shows. Where are you getting ripped off? Where are you not getting what you deserve? Axl doesn't owe you anything, certainly not showing up somewhere he doesn't feel comfortable in.

[wasted]

In some ways the career of rock acts has changed. Back in the 60s/70s there was no road map. The Stones have shown you can have longevity. So really around 2002 -6 was about right time for a GNR record. It's not about 5 records and in 10 years anymore.

That's not mention the industry problems etc. and right now we are back to a single oriented culture. So an album like GNR make is so against the grain. the mechanics of the industry has do use for it.

Even CD was treated like a single. Chi dem got radio play and attention then they moved on to something else.

Peoples opinions on the Internet matter more to the culture now than the music.

Maybe digital singles are the way to go I don't know. I still listen to albums so I'm out of time.

[sleishman drums]

Bullshit and Theories aside.. Let's cut to the core of why Axls not showing..

He's a coward..

LOL. That's why he will never play at Philly or Ireland again, right? Oh, wait..

He's a coward.. End of discussion.

Says the guy talking shit about him anonymously online

He's a pussy.. A stubborn pussy..

[KoolMonkey]

Good on Axl for not caving in to the pressure of having to stand on stage with various people who have shat on him for the past 20 years. You all fucking know you'd most likely do the same if put in that situation. Yet Axl's a sellout, or a pussy or a coward? which is it. To those that say they are finished with GnR, why are you all still here? Scream a little louder, but people just want you to go away. I hear the Marilyn Manson forum is that way →

As for Slash, his comments that Axl hates him and he doesn't even know why!? Are you for real man. You know full fucking well why Axl isn't interested in having a friendship with you. Then to pass it off as Axl just being a dick, shows your the biggest fuckwit of them all. This passive aggressive shit you've been spewing the past 20 years on how it's all Axl's fault is a joke. People don't hold grudges over nothing. Come clean on all the lawsuits and lies you've been spewing about him. The underhanded tactics. Somehow I doubt it. There is nothing worse than a person who pretends to be a friend, yet is doing everything they can to fuck you over. But you don't learn. You'll just stick with your usual routine of playing the victim and the lines about not knowing why Axl hates your fucking guts. You really are a cancer. With friends like these, who needs em.

I'm as frustrated as anyone in not being able to hear new music, but I won't be shitting on Axl for standing up to the HOF. Or for that matter some of his old bandmates.

[TeeJay410]

Well. Whatever. Someone leak some new songs.

[AtariLegend]

Paul McCartney

Roger Waters

Diana Ross

Neil Young

Peter Gabriel

Bjorn Ulvaeus/Agnetha Fältskog

All refused to show when originally inducted over arguments with former band mates. Those evil selfish people .

-edit-

Forgot Van Halen

Edited April 13, 2012 by AtariLegend

[sleeper]

And what is he scared of? A pathetic media whore? Ungrateful passive agressive fans pining for a reunion while pretending to support him?

Oh hi stupid. He's scared of the bigger man Slash. And the ungrateful passive fans as you claim they/we are, are actually the ones who allways have supported him, made him what he is, and given him the opportunity to do what he does. He obviously don't give a fuck, but what else is new. The only thing that seems to be on Axl's mind is how much better off Slash has been since the breakup of GNR, than him. And my oh my is he a bitter old twat about it. To bad he's such a great frontman, and that I've allways loved that he is the last rockstar and couldn't give a shit, that makes him hard to dislike, but I really dislike the decisions he made now and came forward with in his whiny letter. Well, lets hope Izzy shows, and the band play a few songs just to again show the fans who are the winners in all this.

Slash the bigger man for showing up? Slash would never miss a chance to be in the spotlight and be the center of attention.

You've given him the opportunity to do what he does? OK, you buy the music, you get the music. You buy the shows, you get the shows. Where are you getting ripped off? Where are you not getting what you deserve? Axl doesn't owe you anything, certainly not showing up somewhere he doesn't feel comfortable in.

Slash is showing up for his fans! I guess that is concept that is hard to understand here.