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Some parts of interview with Pamela Manning, an old GNR groupie


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It is possible to see you in the most iconic Guns N’ Roses live performance photographs. Can you tell us about Guns N’ Roses of these days? How were their dialogue and energy among each other?

Well, I had been dancing with Guns N’ Roses on stage even before Guns N’ Roses. I came out in a cute outfit, it had guns on them some cute cut-off jeans, and a cowboy hat, Axl had chaps where his butt would hang out the back. It was like playing house to me but we played rock star; it was all about music, how cool you can look. It was also was a shock factor back in the 80′s, anything to get attention.

So that’s what we would do, pretty much – do anything to get attention back in the day. If that meant being wild and crazy on stage, well, that is what you got! “My way, your way, anything goes tonight!” and “Take me down to the Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.” And so when I was on stage I had a blast with the band; our energy was magic! We would feed off each others’ energy, yet we would all be in sync with each other. It was so automatic, the music was the main energy. You tap into that stream and you got Guns N’ Roses: that is what fed the audience, the energy that went with the band. After the show we would talk about how the audience’s reaction was.

And I am also a drummer, so Steven would teach me some drums, and we would move on to more creative stuff; we’d sit around and play some more music. “Barbi (Rocket Queen) Von Greif, not Adriana (sexual recording) who was my roommate at the time, we were in a band together for a short time. I was the drummer and she was the singer, and Barbi wanted to name the band Rocket Queen.

Guns & Roses were a music inspiration to us; heck, we inspired each other. This is how we all met up; it was all about music, not hanging with the guys. I did wind up dating Izzy, but Barbi broke us up, not being a true friend to me, as she wanted him. One day he asked me to let him play with Barbi, and when I said no, well, you can guess the rest. That was the end of Izzy and I.

Axl has always been a true friend to me, telling me his deepest secrets and, yep, I have kept them today. I can’t and will not talk about the deep secrets he told me. That is just not me. But wow, if you only knew… I am sure some would understand him a little better. People judge him, and I can understand why. He has not been the best example, but I think if Axl would stop bottling all the secrets, he could be a great spokesperson and could help many.

It was like with any band, sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, but the drug thing… I never liked drugs or alcohol, so I can’t relate in that department. But I had some good times.

How do you find Guns N’ Roses of today? What things are different and better between the past one and the present one?

I had heard from Mark Cantor that last time Guns & Roses was in town that Axl was asking about me, and thought I would show up at his gig. Well, that never happened. Then about 2 years ago now, I had heard Guns N’ Roses were playing L.A., but I had lost all contact with the guys. A friend of mine wanted to meet Axl, so she invited me to go with her, yet I had not known her for very long, yet went along. Well when we got into the concert, I always had VIP and did not feel like going to a concert and not saying hi to Axl, so I made my way to find a way to get in and all I got was “None shall pass.” I finally got a hold of Axl’s manager and he let us all back stage, but only to a waiting room. Then at the end of the night we were told, “Axl has gone home; everyone must leave.” I smelled a rat and someone was not telling the truth!

So alone I walked around and found a staircase that led downstairs, unguarded. I ran downstairs, and guess what: the first person I run into was Axl and the rest is history, Axl asked me to join him in the van and off we went to a private party. We get out to the van with the band and I am handed a rose. I thought this was cool, Axl introduces me to the band and tells them all about me. He put me in the limelight to all his friends, made me feel special. Yet there was a lot of adjustments. He looks different… that was hard. We both changed in looks, but we still had the connection. So after being swept away, I had to call the rest of the group I left behind. I was sure they were looking for me, bad mistake, without getting into much words, the girl I introduced to Axl became my worst nightmare. I took photos of her and Axl, Axl took the photos with her because I asked him to. Well, she went to the press, blasted her photos all over the internet, and caused me & Axl a lot of problems. Later (next gig), Axl forgave me and puts me on VIP list but only me!

By now I had to learn a lesson: if you have a rock star friend, make sure your friends are not starstruck! What a pain that was! Anyway, my relationship with Axl is great now. We have no other problems because we keep the problems out, and it’s great to have been there, growing up with Guns & Roses. It’s like anything; time passes, people change. Some you keep, some you don’t. Axl has stayed in my life, Steve Adler is still in my life; both he and his wife are dearly loved by me, and I’m very close to them to this day. We spend time together when we can. Both Slash and Duff are pleasant to me; since my last interview I had heard a lot of really nice things Slash has said about me, and now I feel bad because our last meeting was at a funeral for a friend and he was kinda rude to me, and I blamed it on his wife because I was told it was all her. But now I realize it’s just someone trying to make trouble. I forgive him and I am sure I will meet up with him again in the future as well. Duff I never talked to much, but he has a nice-looking wife and seems to be very cool and together now. I would like to get to know him a little more than before if God wills. But my part is not to concentrate on rock stars and their lives, but to make a difference in others’ lives if I can. Today if I can, I take advantage of who I know to help make a difference. That would be cool, it’s better than boasting.

Your most famous photographs of those times are with Axl Rose in Guns N’ Roses stage. How is Axl Rose as a person rather than the media’s opinion?

Axl as a person, to me: Deep, quick thinker, devoted, generous at times, sentimental at times. Yet if he cuts you out of his life, I’m not sure there is room to get back in. He believes in God, loves kids, more of a loner even if he is surrounded by so-called “friends.” He has adjusted in life and says he is happy. He makes it a point to enjoy life. I like the deep conversations with him. He gets it, and it’s great to have a friend who just gets it (whatever you’re talking about) when we connect. The downside to Axl is the big ego but that goes with rock stardom and that power. It’s crazy; when I am around him, he lifts one finger and people listen – pretty scary to me! He can pretty much do what he wants in his world. Except for the other people in the music business who try to control him. He finds ways to escape that too, not totally escape, but that is another story.

To me, Axl needs to learn to trust again. I know this is a hard one when trust gets destroyed. Axl has a hard time with his past; there is a lot that gets in his way, and he doesn’t want to go back there! I totally understand that! Friends get hurt, people who want to be in his life, but he had to make choices he might not like for his own good. But if he made the other choices it would be worse; it’s kinda like that song “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash. If you get in his way he warns you before he does anything, yet the people who don’t listen… well, they will get the Axl wrath! I pray for him and hope I been a good influence in his life. It’s nice to still have the friendship and I am thankful for that.

What do you think about the other members’ solo careers? Slash, Duff, Izzy…

Slash is doing well. I don’t keep up with Slash because we have not talked in some time, but he has jammed around town. Yet I had not made it out, maybe some day I will. As for as his new band, I heard it’s good. I am not working in rock ‘n roll like the old days, so I don’t keep up on who is playing with whom, but I think it’s great that they all are doing their own thing. The fans like it, that is what matters. They are making money; some are making a difference like Steven Adler, enjoying their music family and friends. It’s cool, and I am all for it.

Full interview at http://multibabydoll.com/about-80s-guns-n-roses-and-being-a-strong-woman-pamela-manning/

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Axl has always been a true friend to me, telling me his deepest secrets and, yep, I have kept them today. I can’t and will not talk about the deep secrets he told me. That is just not me. But wow, if you only knew… I am sure some would understand him a little better. People judge him, and I can understand why. He has not been the best example, but I think if Axl would stop bottling all the secrets, he could be a great spokesperson and could help many.

I've been saying this for years, he's either gay or at least bisexual.

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Axl has always been a true friend to me, telling me his deepest secrets and, yep, I have kept them today. I can’t and will not talk about the deep secrets he told me. That is just not me. But wow, if you only knew… I am sure some would understand him a little better. People judge him, and I can understand why. He has not been the best example, but I think if Axl would stop bottling all the secrets, he could be a great spokesperson and could help many.

I've been saying this for years, he's either gay or at least bisexual.

How about the use of the word "hooray for tolerance!s"?

I've had some very bad experiences with homosexuals. When I was first coming to Los Angeles, I was about eighteen or nineteen. On my first hitchhiking ride, this guy told me I could crash at his hotel. I went to sleep and woke up while this guy was trying to rape me. I threw him down on the floor. He came at me again. I went running for the door. He came at me. I pinned him between the door and the wall. I had a straight razor, and I pulled the razor and said, "Don't ever touch me! Don't ever think about touching me! Don't touch yourself and think about me! Nothing!" Then I grabbed my stuff and split with no place to go, no sleep, in the middle of nowhere outside of St. Louis. That's why I have the attitude I have.

Are you anti-homosexual then?

I'm proheterosexual. I can't get enough of women, and I don't see the same thing that other men can see in men. I'm not into gay or bisexual experiences. But that's hypocritical of me, because I'd rather see two women together than just about anything else. That happens to be my personal, favorite thing.

How about gay-bashing? Have you ever beaten up somebody simply because of their sexual preference?

No! I never have. The most I do is, like, on the way to the Troubadour in "Boystown," on Santa Monica Boulevard, I'll yell out the car window, "Why don't you guys like pussy?" 'Cause I'm confused. I don't understand it. Anti-homosexual? I'm not against them doing what they want to do as long as it's not hurting anybody else and they're not forcing it upon me. I don't need them in my face or, pardon the pun, up my ass about it.

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Axl has always been a true friend to me, telling me his deepest secrets and, yep, I have kept them today. I cant and will not talk about the deep secrets he told me. That is just not me. But wow, if you only knew I am sure some would understand him a little better. People judge him, and I can understand why. He has not been the best example, but I think if Axl would stop bottling all the secrets, he could be a great spokesperson and could help many.

I've been saying this for years, he's either gay or at least bisexual.

Big jump there.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Don't understand why link puts you back to index page...

It is copy of interview found on newgnr forum. They copied it from site which doesn't exist anymore.

Here it is:

Pamela Manning tells about her days with Guns N Roses

Exclusively for DailyBetter Group © she tells her days with GN'R. February 2010.

Guns N Roses has always been surrounded by people, lucky people, and specially those one who were there since the beginning, the ones who were witnesses of the first days with the band. The protagonist of this interview is a blonde, beautiful and lucky girl that even shared the stage with the band. Pamela Manning, who is still blonde and beautiful, share with us her memories about Guns N Roses.

How and when did you meet the band?

About 1983, I couldnt remember it was early 80s.

I was playing drums in an all girl band, I met Izzy hanging out in one studio we rehearsed in, and soon after I became his girlfriend, so this his how I met the band, we all stayed at Chris Webbers house back when the band was called Hollywood Rose, before GNR.

Line up was, Chris Webber, Axel Rose, Bill Baily, Izzy Isbell, there stage names was not changed yet.

They did not have a drummer or a base player at the time, so I let them used my drum set because one drummer did not have a drum set then they got a bass player, well they had a few before Steve, and Duff, came around.

What kind of relationship did you have with members of the band?

Izzy was my Boyfriend, at the time, we havent talked in some time, last time we talked, he took me to dinner, gave me album credits, told me a few things, made a few promises, then went on his way, I havent seen him since.

Axel and I had a short relationship/ friendship after Izzy and I broke up, but I remained closer to Axl to this day, I pretty much, kept contact with him through the years.

Steven is cool, always letting me play his drums, fun to hang with still good buddies today.

Duff: I would just say hi, we did a few things on stage but he really never talked to me much, but we acknowledge each other.

Slash: Slash never talked to me, then, he poured his heart out to me, we where very close and had a trust, we had a great friendship, he was very sweet humble man, but things changed between us.

How can you describe the five of them back then?

The band worked very hard as a team they were excited about every show, making band flyers, passing out flyers, they loved to look cool, and have hot chicks on stage ( ha ha)

Axel and Izzy were always trying on the newest fashion or making fashion trends, Shooting photos, we loved the photo shoots, I got to dress them, it took plenty of hair spray, just check out a few older photos of them.

At the studio they rehearsed as often as possible, with Axel always wanting things to sound just right.

When talking I never heard them say If we make it.

But was always When we make it, I will do this and that.

How did you do to be the dancer of the band?

At rehearsal I would dance and have fun, the guys liked it, and asked me to dance.

When and where was your first performance with the GNR as a dancer?

Now you are talking GNR not Hollywood Rose, The first GNR gig was at a under ground club called, Galaxies after hours, owned by Alexander Lehr that was a cool place, everybody use to go there back in the day.

What does it mean to you the fact to have been the dancer of one the greatest RNR band? Be there in the beginning of the band?

Its a great feeling to take part of what became a success, to be a part of Rock in Roll history, I can say, right place and the right time, I was there from the beginning, even before GNR, I got to see it all come together, everything, the music, the talent, the changes, good and bad, I count it a blessing to have been part of it, but the relationship with the band means more than the success, because they are the talent and old friends.

What can you tell us about the recording of Appetite For Destruction?

I was working a lot at the time, so I got to the studio during some recording, but mostly catching them on the breaks enjoying the food that was for the band, I was just hanging out in the VIP room most of the time, then the guys came in telling me how cool the album was going to be and all.

Then later I ran into Adriana and she started telling me what went on How she had sex with Axl doing the recording, and details of it all she was feeling bad feeling sad she told me her story.

The guys (Izzy, Axl, Slash) took me out to a strip club across the street from the studio during the recording break, telling me their version of the story with Adriana.

Then we came back from the strip club back to the studio so they can play it all back for me.

What was the difference between the guys version (Izzy, Axl, Slash) and Adrianas version?

Not much of a difference, then what Adriana told me, it's just the guys where laughing about it, back in the day, we where all like one big family, so if one did something we all knew it, we did not hide much from each other.

How was the band back then, the relationship inside the band? Any fun, crazy, unbelievable tale that you remember and that you can share with us?

The bands relationships at that time was, as a group running wild but with one mission, and that was to promote the band. They would work as a team doing pretty much anything to promote the band. Axl seemed to be the leader even back then. There was lots of meetings, the band stuck together working on things that needed to get done. The fun part was shooting home videos, doing photo shoots, and dressing the band, the after parties, just hanging out.

They did not have much money, so the girls including me, would take them shopping for clothes for stage, food or what ever.

We would sit around the house, making costumes, Izzy used pink leather spray paint, and he sprayed his leather jacket Pink. I loved his pink leather jacket. Izzy would run around with a boom box listening to music all the time. There where no Ipods in the day, but if there where, he would have the ear plugs on, walking down the street in his own little world.

Izzy and I were youth running wild, Sex drugs and rock in roll. It was fun while it lasted.

Theyre where many wild stories, but none I can tell.

What can you tell us about your relationship with Axl? What was the most impressive thing about him?

Axl and I always had fun, one and off stage, we were pretty free with each other. We worked great together, in fact, even if I was Izzys girlfriend at the time. Axel and I knew more about each other then Izzy and I. Even if we had a great friendship, Axel had a girlfriend; I had a boyfriend, so remained friends.

one time when I called him Bill, after he changed his name, he yelled at me for that. But beside that, the Axl I know is not the Axl many talk about, to me he was always the sweet guy, gentle, living and kind. Always listening to what I had to say, he gave, the same as he took from me, giving me feed back and instruction and I him. Axl had a vision, a mission, talent, and the drive to do it, he gave it his all, I remember one day he was singing, I watched his face turn red as he was singing with all that he had.

I had a dream, I saw many people, crowds of people, enjoying his singing, after waking up, I told him about I. and later, it all came true. But what impressed me the most about him was his drive, he really pushed hard for what he wanted.

But after the fame, he did a lot of nice things for me, he treated me well, and kept the friendship; I have only good to say about him.

Axl and Izzy seemed to be pretty close to each other and they still are good friends. It was always that way back in the day when you met them?

Yes, back in the day I was around Axl and Izzy the most, they where always close, even a non-band thing , they where hanging out.

Did you meet those people? And if you did what can you tell us about them?

Paúl Tobías

Tracii Guns

Yes I remember LA guns, but not much, Tracii Guns I remember the most, we are still friends today .

Today I hang with Stacy Blades & Paul Tobias, I see around, in the other LA guns, but thats about it.

When and why did you lose contact with the band? And When was the last time did you see any of them?

I got married, that will change a lot, but I am single again.

The last I saw Axl was Rose bowl, I cant remember what year I would guess 1996-97 that was fun, I was treated VIP all the way, Thanks Axl We partied after.

GNR had another concert a few years ago. I was invited, and I heard the band had back stage passes waiting for me. Mark Canter told me the Guys really wanted to see me, I have only heard good feedback from anyone who saw Axl or Izzy, leaving a message for me to get in contact, that was 2008 But I still have not been able.

I run into Steve all the time, last I seen him was about 4 months ago

he was also on the VH1 show, Sunset strip ( do it for the band) the girls that rock. Still airing ..

Izzy, havent seen him since the recording of Appetite For Destruction

Like I said he took me to dinner, we talked that was the last I seen of him.

Duff: I seen him at the Nam show 2007, said hi That is all.

I ran into Slash, at Randy Castillos funeral (miss him) In March 2002.

Slash seemed to have changed, he did not seem to want to talk , and was in his own world, later I was told, his wife would not let him talk to me, what ever!, I just was saying hi, to an old friend.

Why you're not being able to make contact yet with the guys (Axl and Izzy)? Any problem?

The Problem was my ex boyfriend, that should explain it all.

How do you remember those years?

Youth running wild, fun times, a part of history, life goes on, maybe I will see them again soon.

What's goin' on with you today? How has been your life since then?

Well a lot has changed, I am a Christian, so I don't live the lifestyle I use to live, I still have fun, but I am more creative, instead of a party girl, I am a indie filmmaker, Photographer, artist. There is never a dull moment with me, I travel a lot and I turn my work into fun, I am also writing a book, my goal is to finish by the end of 2010, but if all go's right I will be done before that. I also work with charity.

What do you think about GUNS N ROSES nowdays and CHINESE DEMOCRACY?

The band is different but not bad ,

The new album Chinese Democracy ..undecided!

http://dailybetter.com.ar/site/index.php/guns-na-roses-news/739-160210-pamela-manning-habla-acerca-de-sus-dias-con-guns-n-roses-db (this link is invalid)

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