Meeting Axl

[Joraz]

Hey guys, just wondering have any of you met Axl and the other band members and if so what were they like and when did you meet them? Going to the Melbourne show next year and would love to catch a glimpse of him after the show or something but feel like hes shrouded by mystery and no chance of ever meeting him. If anyone has any tips on how and where to meet him thatd be awesome. Thanks

[Sweersa]

My dad and I met Bumblefoot in 2012 outside near the venue before a show. I actually walked by him and his security, not realizing who he was. (In Detroit, usually best not to make eye contact with strangers) My dad called me back, realizing who he was, and we chatted for a bit. I couldn't think of anything to say, so I complimented him on his hat. He signed my ticket. I remember I didn't have a pen, so he said "Anybody got a pen?!" and the security man let us use one for the autograph. Good times. Band was on fire that night. I wish I asked Bumble about songs he played on that didn't make the album.

[Finck2006]

Met all the band except Paul, Brain and Buckethead.

 

[DefinitelyInThisLifetime]

I was at the London after show in 2006 and met a drunk Tommy, met most of them apart from Axl because he had his private booth and buckets of Peroni with a bunch of plastic models. Dizzy Reed was quite friendly but the highlight was meeting Pitman. Nobody wanted to talk to pitman and they didn’t know who he was. Nice guy.

[SoundOfAGun]

Met Slash and Duff in 2004 so not sure if it counts.... They were cool though

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8eqSXjhRAc/?igshid=1ry6wg6tyxg68

Edited December 15, 2020 by SoundOfAGun

[lame ass security]

1 hour ago, DefinitelyInThisLifetime said:

I was at the London after show in 2006 and met a drunk Tommy, met most of them apart from Axl because he had his private booth and buckets of Peroni with a bunch of plastic models. Dizzy Reed was quite friendly but the highlight was meeting Pitman. Nobody wanted to talk to pitman and they didn’t know who he was. Nice guy.

Tommy was drunk? The hell you say.😄

[Joraz]

How did you guys meet the band did you go to the tour busses after shows or at airports or what? Just thinking might try my luck in melbourne next year

[Chester 524]

i met Slash after a smkc show in 2013.  was kind of an accident.  he was playing at a casino and on my way out I saw the tour buses and about 50 people hanging out.  I was drunk so I figured what better way to sober up then to wait in line to meet Slash.  he signed one autograph for everyone, would not take photos and didn't really talk to anyone.  

 

my advice is to look outside of the smaller venues for the tour buses.  larger venues probably wont allow access to the buses, so it will be harder.  so try to find out what hotel they are staying at.  I guess one way to do it would be to call the hotel and ask if (insert name) from GNR has checked in yet.  dont bother asking for band members.  but perhaps fernando doesnt use a fake name?  idk.  never tried it, but it could work.  I have always wanted to meet Axl myself.  

[JAxlMorrison]

Somehow wandered into the after party in Atlantic City in early 2012. Didn’t technically “meet” Axl, as I didn’t wanna bother the guy, but I was in his room, listening as he told stories. He got a little frustrated when the venue shut the music off in the room, and left suddenly. 

[Tom2112]

Bumble, Frank, Richard.... Pitman

All apart from Pitman were really cool! He wasn't a dick, but he had absolutely no interest meeting a fan, even one that wasn't asking for photos or stories about Axl. Frank seemed like the most genuinely friendly, although every time I've met Bumble he has talked with me for a long time about everything from My world to sweet toffee popcorn😄 

I met all of them either randomly (Frank and Chris), or after gigs outside (the rest). 

Haven't went to hotels yet... just one step too far for me in to stalker territory.

[Chester 524]

3 minutes ago, JAxlMorrison said:

Somehow wandered into the after party in Atlantic City in early 2012. Didn’t technically “meet” Axl, as I didn’t wanna bother the guy, but I was in his room, listening as he told stories. He got a little frustrated when the venue shut the music off in the room, and left suddenly. 

that's cool.  how did you get into his room? his suite?  or a room at a restaurant?

[Dean]

1 hour ago, Joraz said:

How did you guys meet the band did you go to the tour busses after shows or at airports or what? Just thinking might try my luck in melbourne next year

Your best bet was 2006-14 I'd say. With the size of the tour now etc, they look to get them out of the venues ASAP from the show and it's always a gamble when it comes to what hotel they're staying in. 

Heartbreaking, as Glasgow 2012 was my only opportunity to ask Axl to take a picture of me and Fernando. 

That said, there is always a possibility. Right place, right time. I hope you succeed!

[Powerage5]

I've met the entire 2009-2014 lineup, most multiple times. Various situations, some at aftershow parties, some by chance, some at solo shows. I agree with the sentiments that it's not super likely to meet them nowadays unless it's by chance due to the size of the venues. I'm not sure how much they're even up for meeting people outside the hotels as I haven't heard much chatter about that in recent years. 

 

As for what they were all like...Bumble is my favorite, for sure. He's always been super outgoing and personable, always down to chat as long as you are. There was a period where Bumble had purchased some of my photos from GN'R gigs for his promotional use, including one that he used for a cover photo on a guitar magazine in Italy. He did a lot to try and help me establish myself as a concert photographer (Which sadly I never did), but I'll always be eternally thankful to him for that - he put a lot of faith in me. Axl has always been very nice, though slightly soft spoken and shy all but the first time I met him. He sort of has this sense of calm about him which puts you at ease, which caught me offguard the first time. Only met Frank once but he was lovely, very chatty and personable. Dizzy and Tommy have both been nice on every occasion I've met them, but nothing else particular to note. I've never found Ashba as friendly on any occasion I've met him as his reputation suggested. Not rude or anything, but just sort of...uninterested in talking to people. Wasn't impressed by Pitman - he acted like he had a massive ego. It didn't really surprise me when he threw his fit in early 2016 and got kicked out (If that's indeed what happened), seemed very in line with his character from when I met him. Fortus was the worst - his room was on the same floor as mine at the Hard Rock during the 2014 residency, so naturally I bumped into him a handful of times waiting for the elevator and whatnot. Every time we crossed paths he would actually go out of his way to avoid contact. It's not like I was fanboying out or anything - even just saying hi or nodding or waving to him, he'd practically avert his eyes. I remember there was once when we both got on the elevator at the same time - I was standing by the buttons so I asked him what floor he wanted. He reached over and pressed a button ,and then stood facing into the corner of the elevator until he got off. Really bizarre  

[RochelleRochelle]

I met Slash after a Snake pit show at Bayfront Park in Miami 1999.  He was much smaller than I thought he would be.  They were signing autographs in the Spec's music tent after their set. They signed my Snakepit tshirt, never been worn to this day!  I totally fangirled, and he (rightfully) looked at me like I was crazy.

I met Duff at the Hard Rock in Hollywood Florida when he was doing a pre-show(KoC) book signing for "How to be a Man"  . He was lovely,, chatted and took pics with everyone, he had no recollection that he'd played this place before with Velvet Revolver, lol. 

 

[Jwalker19]

I went to school with Robert John's second cousin if that counts.

[ZoSoRose]

I have met,

Axl

Slash

Duff

Steven

Dizzy

Bumblefoot

Richard

DJ

Bumble is by far the coolest to hang with of the bunch. Super nice and engaging guy. Of the OG gang, I had the longest conversation with Slash. It was still brief, but my friend and I got to go to one of his meet and greets for free in 2012 and we're put at the end of the line so we got a few minutes more to chat. Talked about reptiles and cake I remember. Axl was cool, but he was tired and it was just a few words. That worked for me! It was pretty surreal

[PirateRadio]

Met Bumble too. The first Vegas residency, after the show wife and I were checking out the cool Guns/Axl exhibits in the Hard Rock and we were by the main entry doors to the stage venue. Bumble and wife, friend and wife come right out those doors. I know exactly who he is.. not many people on the casino floor did.. and we chatted for about 15 mins. Foot told me that his friend was the creator of the big screen video production behind which Bum fronted his song in the set. Cool! He’s cool.  I didn’t even think of it, but he suggested we take a few pictures together in front of a Guns display. I was stoked because he was just such a nice guy. I have a “Youre awesome!” attitude when I can tell the celebs are into meeting the fans. If he would’ve been a dick, I wouldn’t have given him two seconds of my time. 
 

My other band member encounter was with the legend, Dizzy Fuckin’ Reed. He played a cool keyboard set at a little bar, and afterwards he and his wife hung out for hours. I had to approach him. This was in April (?) 2012, a week before you know what, and I went in.. “You gonna be in Cleveland next week..?” This was while there was no official word on if Rose would show up to the thing. Dizzy shook his head slowly from side to side, and looked ‘bummed’. I had the inside scoop! A few days later, Axl’s letter was posted. Dizzy’s wife was once a teacher, as are my wife and I, so the ladies had a nice discussion. Dizzy, a nice guy as well. 

[Route66]

I've met them all and pleased to call some long distance friends. No Names. 

I'll focus on Axl. He is amazing, very funny, lots of stories, loves a few beers.. inspiring others even just with his demeanor. It's clear that he leads this band and staff. Overall nice dude and the bad press he gets is absolute shite.

Slash was high. Still cool. We talked guitars. Also talked guitars and amps with Fortus who is a very nice dude.

Duff is a leader. Cool AF and in control of his shit. 

I could talk about other members but can't be arsed at the moment. Ping me questions if you want to.. Del is fucking really awesome as well!

Edited December 16, 2020 by Route66

[Locke]

I've shared the stories on the board before because, well, where else would I do it? I met Steven Adler after an Adler's Appetite show. My group wandered out by the tour bus area. One of the guys in his bad was nice enough to strike up a conversation with us. He assumed we were waiting for Steven. When we confirmed that was the case, he said he'd let him know. I kinda figured he was just being nice, but sure enough, Steven came out a few minutes later, specifically to say hello to us. He posed for photos and then shot the shit like we were old friends. Great experience.

A few days later, I met Duff at his booking signing at Mall of America. I mentioned that had I met Steven earlier in the week. He was genuinely curious to know how he was doing. I haven't been to many signings, but I know they tend to hustle patrons through like cattle. I didn't feel rushed with Duff. I was mindful of the line behind me and didn't want to bore the guy, but we had a good chat and he was very down to earth. I enjoyed the experience enough that I bought a second book for my brother. Duff remembered me when I got up on the platform again. I explained that it was a gift for my brother. He asked if I wanted him to sign it Merry Christmas. I told him my brother's name and said he could sign it however he wanted. He decided against the Merry Christmas line for some reason, but he left a nice message and we had another quick chat. He was great. Very easy to talk to and came off like he was genuinely happy to be meeting fans.

When Axl came to town during the Bumblefoot era, I waited outside Target Center with a small group of fans next to the tour busses. I waited and waited, just hoping to get a quick photo or even just a quick fist bump from Axl. Fanboy moment? Totally. I wouldn't do it for any other band, but I'd met the other two guys a short time before that and was hellbent on meeting Axl. I'm 99 percent sure that Richard Fortus walked out, put some shit on the bus, but no one bothered him because he was so unassuming that we weren't really sure if it was him. Eventually, I got too cold (Minnesota). It was ridiculously late and Axl never came out while I was there. A younger guy and his mom were the only people who stuck around after I threw in the towel. Part of me wants to know if their patience was rewarded, but I'd hate to find out that Axl walked out like five minutes after I gave up. Oh well, I tried. I hope you have better luck than I did. Thanks for giving me an excuse to share these stories again.

[SAU3R]

Not quite GNR related, but in 2016 during the time when Axl was singing for AC/DC, I met Brian Johnson at LHR airport. He stood in front of my friend and I in the line for passport control. I approached him and we had a quick chat he would ask where we came from and what we were doing in England etc. Considering how hard this time must’ve been for him, he was the nicest and most down to earth guy you could imagine. He even waited for us for 10 minutes after he was through the immigration control so we could take a photo with him 

We bumped into him again ten minutes later together with my aunt who collected us from the airport and who did already meet him like 30 years ago on flight, but he didn’t remember that

 

[megaguns1982]

I met duff in like 2012 after a loaded gig. Chatted for about 10 minutes, he’s a cool down to earth dude and was waaay skinnier than I expected lol

[Tom2112]

9 hours ago, Powerage5 said:

I've met the entire 2009-2014 lineup, most multiple times. Various situations, some at aftershow parties, some by chance, some at solo shows. I agree with the sentiments that it's not super likely to meet them nowadays unless it's by chance due to the size of the venues. I'm not sure how much they're even up for meeting people outside the hotels as I haven't heard much chatter about that in recent years. 

 

As for what they were all like...Bumble is my favorite, for sure. He's always been super outgoing and personable, always down to chat as long as you are. There was a period where Bumble had purchased some of my photos from GN'R gigs for his promotional use, including one that he used for a cover photo on a guitar magazine in Italy. He did a lot to try and help me establish myself as a concert photographer (Which sadly I never did), but I'll always be eternally thankful to him for that - he put a lot of faith in me. Axl has always been very nice, though slightly soft spoken and shy all but the first time I met him. He sort of has this sense of calm about him which puts you at ease, which caught me offguard the first time. Only met Frank once but he was lovely, very chatty and personable. Dizzy and Tommy have both been nice on every occasion I've met them, but nothing else particular to note. I've never found Ashba as friendly on any occasion I've met him as his reputation suggested. Not rude or anything, but just sort of...uninterested in talking to people. Wasn't impressed by Pitman - he acted like he had a massive ego. It didn't really surprise me when he threw his fit in early 2016 and got kicked out (If that's indeed what happened), seemed very in line with his character from when I met him. Fortus was the worst - his room was on the same floor as mine at the Hard Rock during the 2014 residency, so naturally I bumped into him a handful of times waiting for the elevator and whatnot. Every time we crossed paths he would actually go out of his way to avoid contact. It's not like I was fanboying out or anything - even just saying hi or nodding or waving to him, he'd practically avert his eyes. I remember there was once when we both got on the elevator at the same time - I was standing by the buttons so I asked him what floor he wanted. He reached over and pressed a button ,and then stood facing into the corner of the elevator until he got off. Really bizarre  

That Fortus meeting is out there! You're not covered in GNR face tattoos or something are you? or do you wear the Axl sneakers, shorts and Charles manson shirt? I'm just trying to figure why he'd be so strange😅 

When I met him, I could tell he just wanted to go back to his hotel room but he stayed around, talked, photos and signed my Chinese booklet. My friend was even drunk beside me repeatedly trying to take a photo with him which was clearly wearing his patience out😄 

[Tom2112]

3 hours ago, SAU3R said:

Not quite GNR related, but in 2016 during the time when Axl was singing for AC/DC, I met Brian Johnson at LHR airport. He stood in front of my friend and I in the line for passport control. I approached him and we had a quick chat he would ask where we came from and what we were doing in England etc. Considering how hard this time must’ve been for him, he was the nicest and most down to earth guy you could imagine. He even waited for us for 10 minutes after he was through the immigration control so we could take a photo with him 

We bumped into him again ten minutes later together with my aunt who collected us from the airport and who did already meet him like 30 years ago on flight, but he didn’t remember that

 

Pure gentleman! can't believe he waited 10 minutes while ye got through security! my tolerance for waiting in an airport is pretty low. Would love to meet him some day!

[RussTCB]

8 hours ago, ZoSoRose said:

I have met,

Axl

Slash

Duff

Steven

Dizzy

Bumblefoot

Richard

DJ

Bumble is by far the coolest to hang with of the bunch. Super nice and engaging guy. Of the OG gang, I had the longest conversation with Slash. It was still brief, but my friend and I got to go to one of his meet and greets for free in 2012 and we're put at the end of the line so we got a few minutes more to chat. Talked about reptiles and cake I remember. Axl was cool, but he was tired and it was just a few words. That worked for me! It was pretty surreal

I've met damn near everyone who's ever been in the band with the notable exceptions of Axl & Robin. 

Slash and Duff were nice enough but like you said, Bumble is the coolest to hang with by far. 

[allwaystired]

Met.....none of them, ever! 

Unless I happen to bump into one of them randomly, I doubt it will ever happen, as I can never bring myself to loiter around hotels/buses etc. I always find the idea of doing that slightly scary and obsessive and don't like being put in the same category! 

Wish I had met a few of them though- would love some autographs.