20 years ago - Rock in Rio 3 - Intercontinental Hotel, anyone was there?

[ACDC8 90]

20 years ago... Rock in Rio 3, the day I met Axl, and I will never forget it. 

Perhaps one of the best moments in my life, and I would be able to write a novel about it, but some things are better just in our memories, I guess. On the other hand, it's been exactly 20 years, and there is not a single day that I won't think about it. Some people may say I should let go, but it kind of changed my life, in terms of how to believe in myself. So for once, let me try this: 

Rio de Janeiro, January 13 2001 - Intercontinental Hotel

My room wasn't ready when I checked in, and I had to hang out in the lobby for a little while. The hotel was packed with artists, and there was this such nice vibe... but everything I was praying to God (literally) was to see Axl at least passing by somewhere near me in that hotel (and that's why I was there). When they finally got my room ready, I went to take the elevator to go up to my room, and a guy came in right after me. He kindly asked me which floor, and once I responded, he said "really?" and made a kind of a surprised face, like how come I could be on that floor... it was a funny/awkward moment until we left the elevator together, and I found out that his name was Paul Tobias and we were staying at the same floor.. and that he was playing with Guns n Roses (!) Until then, I had no clue who he was, he was so humble and kind, we chatted for a few minutes, and he said it was nice meeting me before he left. 

I went to my room, thinking, "omg, what a coincidence!". I left everything inside, stepped out, and boom, there was Del James. I knew it was him as I recognize him from the Making of November Rain. He looked at me, and I asked, "Del James?!?" and he responded yes, we also chatted for a bit, he was super cool too. Right after, it came Axl's bodyguard, and I realized I was staying on the same floor as everyone else from the band/crew. Except for Axl... he was at the presidential suite, a couple of floors up (I knew it because the Brazilian press released that info).

In an attempt to see if I could "just see Axl passing by" I took the elevator up (back then, the security we find in hotels on these days didn't exist). I reached his floor, but couldn't even see the hall as Beta was there trying to control some folks trying to sneak in that floor. I also had to clue who she was, but she was introducing herself as "Axl's personal assistant" while trying to deal with those folks. She was pretty busy with these guys, I didn't want to try anything, neither wanted to be part of that mess, so I just decided to take the elevator down to my room - the day had started nice enough, and deep inside of me, I knew I would be able to see Axl "at least passing by" somehow.

Later in the day, I was hanging out in some sort of lounge exclusive for guests stating on those floors. Del was there and with a camera. He asked if he could videotape me saying why I was there or something like that (my English was pretty bad back then). I felt becoming red, but agreed... I said "Hi, my name is..., and I'm here to watch Guns n Roses" to his camera. We chatted for a couple more minutes, and that was all.

Rio de Janeiro, January 14 2001 - Intercontinental Hotel

On the next day, I woke up with my phone ringing (my room's phone), I could barely understand anything or who that person was, and I just understood two words "Axl" and "breakfast". I entered a high anxiety mode, I had no clue what to do, if I was going crazy, and I was also scared (like what it that was a trick?), and I called a friend I made on the day before (there were many fans at the hotel, and we became friends in a matter of hours). I told her I got that call, I was scared, but curious (perhaps was true?), asked her to come to my floor/room. We got ourselves ready, stepped out, Axl's bodyguard was steps away from us... he joked "what are you doing here" and said something else I could not understand, asked me to wait, and entered that lounge area. I move closer to the lounge with my friend (it was only a few rooms away from where we were), and... I saw Axl... eating breakfast with Beta and Doug Goldstein. He saw me, and that moment my knees couldn't stop shaking. I thought, "what the heck is going on with me?", it was so embarrassing, really, they couldn't stop shaking, and it was hard to walk and pretend I wasn't having my "fan" momentum. Axl's bodyguard came back, and lead me to Axl's table, introducing me to him and eventually to Doug and Beta. I couldn't understand what exactly was going on, I was so freaking nervous, I can't even remember what we talked... All that I can remember is that in the end, I asked for a photo, and before he had to leave, I asked him if he was excited about the show (the only thing that came to my mind, I was so nervous), he said "yeah" with that amazing low voice, and he left. I don't know what was that... But I am so grateful for that opportunity.

I then went to the pool, saw him on his balcony... I couldn't stop looking at him, even though he was like on the top floor of the hotel, and I was like a little ant looking up - but it was him (wearing red btw). That night, Foo Fighters were playing, and we had a little party at lobby/bar area, and I ended up meeting a few more people and the guys from Papa Roach (I also had no clue who they were until then - my world was only Axl). Coby (Jacob) asked if I would like to go with him to the show the next day, he was so funny all the time, and I asked for a "plus one" to give to my friend (no freaking way I would go anywhere without a friend, doesn't matter how funny he was/who he was). 

Fast forward, it's show time. We went backstage with the Papa Roach guys, we saw Axl arriving at the dressing room, the boys went to the stage, and we went to the VIP area to watch what I was waiting for the last 10 years... AXL singing... and another dream became true.

Rio de Janeiro, January 15 2001 - Intercontinental Hotel

When we came back to the hotel, we bumped into Tommy Stinson. He couldn't stop smiling, but I had no interest in engaging in any conversation and went straight to my room. I was exhausted, I think it was like 6 in the morning or something, and I just wanted to sleep. Minutes later, my phone rings, this time, my friend telling me to go downstairs immediately. I called her crazy, I was exhausted, and she whispered "come downstairs right now, Axl is having breakfast here!". OKAY! My knees were not shaking this time, and I sat in front of him, like really a meter away... Beta was beside him, and other folks were all happy, chatting, but Axl was relatively quiet that time. He couldn't stop looking at me, like staring, so not sure if he liked or not the fact that we were in front of him... it felt really awkward, I couldn't say anything, just pretended anything was happening - and the only good thing is that this time I wasn't shaking When we were about to leave, I asked for a photo, and there was once again everything I could say...

I went back to my room, like so happy, and my cell phone rings again... now my parents (they were also staying at the hotel) telling me to go to the pool as Axl was sitting by the pool. OMG, I really wanted to give him some space, I am not a stalker lol. But it felt like that "single opportunity in your life", put my swimsuit on, sunglasses on (I was so tired) and I went down again, and I sat on the other side of the pool... He kept looking at me (there was pretty much just us at the pool that early in the morning). Quite awkward... again. Why he kept staring at me?

Later on, more people started coming down to the pool, and a couple of fans stopped by his table. Then more fans... so I wanted to join them too of course. The rest is history, I believe you all know about the "Axl spends hours talking to fans at the pool of his hotel" episode (if you are one of them let me know). Yep, I was there (and almost sleeping, it felt like dreaming, literally). 

Chat is over, people kind of dissipated, and he stayed there with Del and a few other folks. I found another corner at the pool corner, this time close enough to make direct eye contact. He was still starring at me, at one point that I thought maybe I was going nuts cause I was actually feeling a bit intimidated... So to check whether or not he was really starring at me (he was also wearing sunglasses) I waved to him... and... he waved back... My heart almost stopped beating... 

Up to today, I still try to understand what was really going on... It's been almost 20 years... and I can't let go. Sometimes I just wish it never happened... so I would not have spent 20 years thinking about it. But on the other hand... even intentionally, he made me believe in myself, and I will never forget him. Axl... if you are reading this.... thank you for saving my life in so many ways. I wish I could find a way to just say thank you, and to say everything I always wanted to say...

If anyone knows about any time machine, please let me know. 

 

Edited January 14 by ACDC8
added dates :)

[Original 1,687]

Can you post the photo(s)? 

[rumandraisin 186]

He probably wasn't too keen on being approached at breakfast or at the pool. But that cones with the price of fame! 

[vloors 1,493]

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-rock-in-rio-3/

[Nice Boy 344]

I find it surprising all of those people with the band were so willing to speak to a random fan and let you close to them / Axl.. I would expect them to try to keep fans away from the band apart from a few autograph signing opportunities. Maybe they were less concerned with keeping people away from the band since 2001 was a time they were relatively out of the spotlight and there was less hype around them. I think Axl was probably still conscious of being wary of potentially crazy fans though, hence he was keeping an eye on anyone who got within a certain distance. I know a lot of people complain about band members being elusive and hiding from the public, but it's hard to conceive how strange a life it is being that famous and having millions of strangers wanting to talk to you / have sex with you / worship you / kill you, etc...

[ACDC8 90]

11 hours ago, Original said:

Can you post the photo(s)? 

I'm sorry, I'm afraid not - quite a while ago, I shared some of them with a few people, but not what actually happened at the hotel. Like "I met the ban," and that was all. Another day, one of these photos came up on Instagram as a "rare photo," and I didn't post it... I believe it might even be found here somewhere, but I don't want the photos linked with some chapters of my diary for privacy reasons. Not now, at least... I hope you understand.

 

9 hours ago, rumandraisin said:

He probably wasn't too keen on being approached at breakfast or at the pool. But that cones with the price of fame! 

I didn't approach him at breakfast. Someone from his entourage called my room on that morning telling me about the breakfast and him, until I realized I was about to be introduced to him (and when my knees started shaking when I first saw him - most embarrassing moment ever). On the second breakfast, after the show, it was in one of the restaurants at the hotel. I didn't say anything to him - I didn't want to bother him, and I was there for breakfast too. Only when we were about to leave (everyone was leaving at the same time), I asked for the other photo. By the way, at the pool, when he was talking to the fans, he pointed at me and referred to me to the other fans on people saying that he doesn't like pictures, but he took photos with me (so sweet). I believe it is more how you approach him (respectfully) than anything else. I would hate people taking pictures of me without asking, I don't see why he should be different. What he did to the fans (that long talk at the pool) was out of this world. Most people have a really wrong idea of him. 

 

4 hours ago, Nice Boy said:

I find it surprising all of those people with the band were so willing to speak to a random fan and let you close to them / Axl.. I would expect them to try to keep fans away from the band apart from a few autograph signing opportunities. Maybe they were less concerned with keeping people away from the band since 2001 was a time they were relatively out of the spotlight and there was less hype around them. I think Axl was probably still conscious of being wary of potentially crazy fans though, hence he was keeping an eye on anyone who got within a certain distance. I know a lot of people complain about band members being elusive and hiding from the public, but it's hard to conceive how strange a life it is being that famous and having millions of strangers wanting to talk to you / have sex with you / worship you / kill you, etc...

Sorry, but I wasn't really a "random fan... I was indeed a fan, but also a VIP guest staying at the same hotel and on the same floor that was technically supposed to be the GnR floor. Still, there were other ppl at the hotel also meeting Axl. The night before I arrived, I heard he went down to the pool and took photos with a group of fans (they were also staying at the hotel). Everything at the hotel was magical; it felt like a big family, everybody becoming friends of everybody, and we were all protected by bodyguards.  But it was indeed 2001, so perhaps today it would be different... So yeah... perhaps that's why I still dream with that time machine... 

Edited January 15 by ACDC8
some typos, sorry, as you can see, English is not my first language :)

[DurhamGirl 495]

Sorry but I find this embarrassing, he was probably staring at you out of stalker fear, if it was anything else you would have been approached.  Please get on with your life as you deserve to.

[hally187 7]

Nice story, thanks for sharing!  Never mind the haters

[DurhamGirl 495]

3 hours ago, hally187 said:

Nice story, thanks for sharing!  Never mind the haters

Not a hater hally, just speaking my mind as she seems to be 'stuck' in this experience...

[NTONIUS 31]

He probably thought you attractive but was awkward about it and unsure. And since you were awkward, it made for perfect awkward meetings lol. All good though still a great experience.

[Sydney Fan 1,966]

GNR were really not that popular around that time. Just lack of interest mainly. Sure people would have been curious but they certainly would not have been populuar compared to the NITL period between say 2016/17.

[Legendador 290]

37 minutes ago, DurhamGirl said:

Not a hater hally, just speaking my mind as she seems to be 'stuck' in this experience...

Here in Brazil we have a saying: when you don't have anything good or better to say, say nothing.

So what if she is "stuck" in this experience. doesn't seem to me she's hurting.

During Rock In Rio he interacted with a lot of fans and there are tons of pics of him hanging with them by the pool of the hotel or between the hotel and the beach.

[Legendador 290]

32 minutes ago, Sydney Fan said:

GNR were really not that popular around that time. Just lack of interest mainly. Sure people would have been curious but they certainly would not have been populuar compared to the NITL period between say 2016/17.

GNR never lost its popularity in south america. I'm sure that in north america it was noth the same, but over here it was always huge, still today.

[Sweersa 659]

Thanks for sharing such a cool story.

I notice people (strangers) staring at me all the time. Not sure why. I'm a decent looking dude, but who knows. My brother says I talk too professionally and sometimes dress the same, and as a result, people think I'm trying to fuck them. (Figuratively) So many more times than most at banks and at other places I get put through more scrutiny than normal. 

[rocknroll41 2,463]

Just like HOB2001, this is one of the most important concerts in GnR history!

happy 20th birthday RIR3!

[DurhamGirl 495]

8 hours ago, Legendador said:

Here in Brazil we have a saying: when you don't have anything good or better to say, say nothing.

So what if she is "stuck" in this experience. doesn't seem to me she's hurting.

During Rock In Rio he interacted with a lot of fans and there are tons of pics of him hanging with them by the pool of the hotel or between the hotel and the beach.

Where I come from (north of UK) we call a spade a spade.  But if I was harsh I do apologise, no harm meant just an opinion. 

[GNR77 2]

I was not at that Hotel. I had to drive 4 hours from São Paulo with my brother and find a cheap hotel to stay for one night only. We had no money, we’re just interns at the time and we got to the concert area at 1 PM. If I’m not wrong they hit the stage around 2 in the morning after Oasis, of course with almost 3 hours in between. I remember it was damm hot in Rio, more than 40 degrees Celsius that day. My brother and I were dead by the time they kicked off WTTJ. But at the time everything stopped. Hearing his voice again after so many years was unbelievable. One guy next to me was on his knees kissing the floor,and the energy there was amazing.  Having Axl on stage was epic, but to me, not seeing the classic line up sucked big time, as much as sucked the samba school at the end of the concert, which finished almost by 5 in the morning. My brother and I walked to the parking place , got in the car and drove back to São Paulo. I nearly slept over the steering wheel on the way back and had to stop for an half hour nap. We still had to go to work that morning...  good old days. 

[The Holographic Universe 970]

50 minutes ago, GNR77 said:

I was not at that Hotel. I had to drive 4 hours from São Paulo with my brother and find a cheap hotel to stay for one night only. We had no money, we’re just interns at the time and we got to the concert area at 1 PM. If I’m not wrong they hit the stage around 2 in the morning after Oasis, of course with almost 3 hours in between. I remember it was damm hot in Rio, more than 40 degrees Celsius that day. My brother and I were dead by the time they kicked off WTTJ. But at the time everything stopped. Hearing his voice again after so many years was unbelievable. One guy next to me was on his knees kissing the floor,and the energy there was amazing.  Having Axl on stage was epic, but to me, not seeing the classic line up sucked big time, as much as sucked the samba school at the end of the concert, which finished almost by 5 in the morning. My brother and I walked to the parking place , got in the car and drove back to São Paulo. I nearly slept over the steering wheel on the way back and had to stop for an half hour nap. We still had to go to work that morning...  good old days. 

That’s hardcore. 

[mr-fukaji 72]

Still love that show

Edited January 16 by mr-fukaji

[jamillos 2,043]

  

On 1/15/2021 at 7:39 AM, ACDC8 said:

I'm sorry, I'm afraid not - quite a while ago, I shared some of them with a few people, but not what actually happened at the hotel. Like "I met the ban," and that was all. Another day, one of these photos came up on Instagram as a "rare photo," and I didn't post it... I believe it might even be found here somewhere, but I don't want the photos linked with some chapters of my diary for privacy reasons. Not now, at least... I hope you understand.

 

I didn't approach him at breakfast. Someone from his entourage called my room on that morning telling me about the breakfast and him, until I realized I was about to be introduced to him (and when my knees started shaking when I first saw him - most embarrassing moment ever). On the second breakfast, after the show, it was in one of the restaurants at the hotel. I didn't say anything to him - I didn't want to bother him, and I was there for breakfast too. Only when we were about to leave (everyone was leaving at the same time), I asked for the other photo. By the way, at the pool, when he was talking to the fans, he pointed at me and referred to me to the other fans on people saying that he doesn't like pictures, but he took photos with me (so sweet). I believe it is more how you approach him (respectfully) than anything else. I would hate people taking pictures of me without asking, I don't see why he should be different. What he did to the fans (that long talk at the pool) was out of this world. Most people have a really wrong idea of him. 

 

Sorry, but I wasn't really a "random fan... I was indeed a fan, but also a VIP guest staying at the same hotel and on the same floor that was technically supposed to be the GnR floor. Still, there were other ppl at the hotel also meeting Axl. The night before I arrived, I heard he went down to the pool and took photos with a group of fans (they were also staying at the hotel). Everything at the hotel was magical; it felt like a big family, everybody becoming friends of everybody, and we were all protected by bodyguards.  But it was indeed 2001, so perhaps today it would be different... So yeah... perhaps that's why I still dream with that time machine... 

 

Awesome. Could you cut yourself out of the photo and post just the Axl part then? I mean, we're talking a rare picture here. Thx. 

Edited January 16 by jamillos

[moreblack 1,999]

Tobias looked like a fish out of water the whole show. They did much better with Fortus.

[The Holographic Universe 970]

5 hours ago, moreblack said:

Tobias looked like a fish out of water the whole show. They did much better with Fortus.

Excellent observation, but the guy somehow knew he over his head and bowed out gracefully. It must have been cool for Axl to play with his closest friend from childhood during those concert dates.  It’s odd Axl never talked about him much after 2001 considering Axl said there wouldn’t even be a band without him. 

[LunsJail 147]

7 hours ago, The Holographic Universe said:

Excellent observation, but the guy somehow knew he over his head and bowed out gracefully. It must have been cool for Axl to play with his closest friend from childhood during those concert dates.  It’s odd Axl never talked about him much after 2001 considering Axl said there wouldn’t even be a band without him. 

Supposedly he was fired because he couldn’t play

[Rovim 5,108]

9 minutes ago, LunsJail said:

Supposedly he was fired because he couldn’t play

Axl said Paul didn't want the gig cause he preferred the studio and didn't want to play live.

Edited January 16 by Rovim

[The Holographic Universe 970]

5 hours ago, Rovim said:

Axl said Paul didn't want the gig cause he preferred the studio and didn't want to play live.

He had zero stage presence though. That much was obvious.