Why we love Axl Rose

[Screamin' Demon]

I've been asking myself this question for days and have come up with an answer. I believe that we love Axl Rose because ever since the beginning, he wanted to make the name GN'R far greater than it was; he wanted to musically evolve, he wanted to experiment, to try new directions, to add new ideas, to take risks. He didn't just want to lean back on meaninglessly decadent hard rock which would and eventually did become outdated and sing about things that are out of touch with his timeline and with the world. Axl's babies, when you look at songs that are primarily his creations, are very deeply emotionally touching, they bring out something in us, they give us thoughts, they strike us in some way, they send out a message. This is not to say for every song but this is in fact what makes Axl Rose musically unique, and he wanted to make the name GN'R famous for this. His bandmates at the time refused to change and discords happened so they broke up, but this did not mean that he could not retain the name and put his musical talent under its name. If the fans had been far more openminded and not so shallow, we could have by now had a band dedicated to deeply emotionally touching songs of so many diverse ways; unfortunately Axl must have felt that his direction, his intentions were not accepted by his fans, and that is sad. Would you rather be attending a concert primarily consisting of songs that are deeply emotionally touching, or of songs that outdated '80s decadence and rebellion; would you rather be feeling anger and feeling decadent, or would you rather feel something deeply emotionally touching? This is what Axl wanted to redefine the name GN'R into. This thought hit me really hard after listening to a live performance of There Was A Time, in feeling tears flowing down my cheeks and feeling my entire soul stricken very intensely and feeling complete serenity. Thank you Axl Rose!

Edited August 6, 2021 by Screamin' Demon

[mikeman5150]

Plus the fact that he did it his way! Seeing slash and duff play Chinese democracy songs solidifies that Axl ultimately won. I find myself always rooting for him no matter how pissed I get at some of the things he does, or doesn’t do. The last REAL larger than life rock star!

[jamillos]

Also here:

 

[Screamin' Demon]

13 minutes ago, mikeman5150 said:

Plus the fact that he did it his way! Seeing slash and duff play Chinese democracy songs solidifies that Axl ultimately won. I find myself always rooting for him no matter how pissed I get at some of the things he does, or doesn’t do. The last REAL larger than life rock star!

Believe it or not, when I attended his concert in Sydney in 2013, I did it because I was so touched by Catcher in the Rye that I just HAD to hear it in real life! 

[Italian girl]

because he does what he wants and has still real fun

[mikeman5150]

6 minutes ago, Screamin' Demon said:

Believe it or not, when I attended his concert in Sydney in 2013, I did it because I was so touched by Catcher in the Rye that I just HAD to hear it in real life! 

Great song! I total totally agree with you about the emotional songs. The whole Chinese album is like that for me. 

[jacdaniel]

This is probably the most cringe worthy thread I have ever read on a Guns N Roses forum... 

[19AT5]

1 hour ago, jacdaniel said:

This is probably the most cringe worthy thread I have ever read on a Guns N Roses forum... 

You took the words right out of my mouth! Fuck a duck, get me a bin please! 

[FuriousStyles]

LMAO Guy torpedos one of the greatest bands in rock history only to pull a pseudo Howard Hughes for 20 years, run out of money and ask Slash to rejoin so they stitch songs together on ProTools

 

[Tom-Ass]

4 hours ago, FuriousStyles said:

LMAO Guy torpedos one of the greatest bands in rock history only to pull a pseudo Howard Hughes for 20 years, run out of money and ask Slash to rejoin so they stitch songs together on ProTools

 

Best post of the day.....  I haven't loved the dude or anything he has done in over 20 years..  

Well almost anything... The reunion was promising at first..  The random lines of songs that he doesn't sound like shit on live are also enjoyable..

[dontdamnmeuyi2015]

Axl Rose has this charisma that not many people famous or not have.

He is an amazing frontman even when he's singing is not top notch.

He's lived a crazy life and made it out the other end.

Now being back with Slash and Duff and having this new and improved GNR, I think Axl Rose will always be someone that will always be special to many of us fans.

When Axl hits the stage it's like magic!  He's confident and I still get chills when he does his little sway dance. Love him.

[MYWIFEMYLIFE]

Axl is Axl. What's not to love? But he seriously pisses me off, and he is also a colossal epic fail in the history of Music, biggest talent wasted.

Fuck team brazil and label too btw.

[whatashame]

there used to be a lot to love about Axl but it all went down the drain when all thru-out 2011-2013 his backdrop band spoke at length of new material but he opted for the Joint residency in 2014, which he called "Appetite for Democracy" [sic] and followed it with a reunion. A guy who supposedly was a genius and a visionary turned out to be a phoney milking kids in need of money to maintain his garden zoo, tequila sunrise and a taco-taco taco-burrito eating disorder. 

 

the best thing having to do with GNR post break-up is the world finding out Buckethead. Hands down.

Edited August 6, 2021 by whatashame
sorry 4 editing typos. i'm street and typsy while axl's a rich phoney

[Tadsy]

Get a grip. 
 

axl broke up the best band of the 80/90s and pissed away 20 years of his prime. 
 

the end 

[whatashame]

https://files.fm/u/kkp6qvyrd#/view/8j3hgp368

[Screamin' Demon]

15 hours ago, mikeman5150 said:

 

Something really weird is going on with my username. Anyways, I wanted to say as another post, that it wasn't Slash, Izzy, Duff or Steven that were the engineers of all the POSITIVE songs we hear from GN'R today; AXL is the one who created them. HE is the one who made the second half of Rocket Queen, of November Rain, Estranged, Breakdown, Street of Dreams, There Was a Time, Catcher in the Rye, Madagascar, This I Love, Prostitute; could you imagine a concert full of POSITIVE songs that actually make you feel some deeply emotionally touched? This was his vision, but many fans were not willing to accept it and wanted angry, rebellious, decadent songs more than anything. When I began to listen to ambient music more than anything, I realised that music should emotionally touch you and give you a sense of peace, of serenity, of calmness, of feeling better within. What is the point of being hyped up and being all angry, rebellious, decadent etc. It is the positive emotions that matter, and Axl is the one that could and did deliver such songs to us. It is only Axl Rose that can create songs that emotionally liberate us, songs that make us feel  tears flowing down our faces without even meaning to., songs that make us feel touched, songs that make our hearts beat, songs that make us feel alive - that we have a soul within, songs that make us feel a sense of hope in our lives. THAT is TRUE emotion. Not anger like You Could be Mine or It's So Easy. That is why I love Axl Rose.

Edited August 6, 2021 by Screamin' Demon

[DefinitelyInThisLifetime]

You’re wrong.

 

But we appreciate you having an opinion.

[Screamin' Demon]

5 minutes ago, DefinitelyInThisLifetime said:

You’re wrong.

 

But we appreciate you having an opinion.

If you feel so, you're welcome to give your reasoning why. I'll say my  message in another way, that I just tried this morning to listen to a list of songs all primarily engineered by Axl and MY GOD how touching it all feels. It feels like you are a liberated being who actually feels like they are somebody, like they actually are alive within, like they do have a worth, like they do have a purpose for their existence. I don't know how else to say this but I do want to say that only Axl can deliver us such beautiful, touching, meaningful songs. I only wish that he had pushed through and continued, rather than letting the "fake fans" make him feel forced to do a reunion. He technically did do what he said he wanted to do: create music inspired by Elton John and Queen. Just imagine listening to a concert full of his ballads. You can't say that you would not be touched by THAT.

[mister mosh]

its gotta be his entire persona hell or be damed he does it his way, even if its a thousand times harder that way, I think a certain line from Riad & The Bedouins sums it up well:  "But I dont give a F**K bout them cause I am crazy" ;-)

Edited August 6, 2021 by mister mosh

[mingsubu]

Axl blows on his own. He needs the other original gunners to make anything decent.

A show entirely of axl's ballads? Lol, no thank you. 

[RONIN]

Love is a strong word. Way too strong. Tolerate is probably more appropriate though even that might be overstated as a good number of fans dislike Axl.  GnR are one of the only bands where a sizeable chunk of the fans despise the lead singer. I hear Billy Corgan has the same effect on his fans. Regardless, to understand this phenomenon, you have to look to the past eras.

AFD & Lies Axl (87-90) = awesome and badass. Stone cold legend and a godly rock n' roller. His vocals in this era are untouchable. This is who everyone reveres or grudgingly respects - even the haters.

UYI Axl (91-94) = A culmination of their creative peak. They are becoming accomplished musicians and most of their greatest compositions are on the Illusion albums. That said, I hesitate to say that Axl is at the peak of his powers here as his vocals are clearly on their way down. The first leg of the tour with Izzy is cool and the band still has that punk rock energy of old. Once Izzy leaves at the end of 1991, Axl becomes a full-on ass clown and the band has transformed into a bloated whale carcass. Aside from a couple of highpoints like the freddie mercury tribute, the era feels really cringe in retrospect largely because of Axl. The albums also suffer from his bullshit overdubs and over-singing everything. Overall, a real mixed bag even if there are some legendary performances and music that come from this era. TSI and Sympathy for the Devil in '94, arguably, has some of his best ever vocals. 

Chinese Democracy Axl (1995 - 2001) = Axl is now an enigma with an aura of mystery and coolness. Some of his clownery from the early 90's had even been erased by time. We all wanted to see what he could do because up to that point, musically, Axl - sans my world - was still fire.  The HOB show and RIR in 2001 still largely delivered the goods and whet the appetite for what was to come. He still had it even if that voice was a little shaky. Some of the UYI buffoonery (his Liberace wardrobe) was rolled back by this Axl. This guy was worth taking seriously again.

Where the fuck is the album?? Axl (2002-2005) - By this point, he is once again a total fuck-up...but still has that aura of danger and unpredictability. His fashion is again a dumpster fire. Everyone was incredibly letdown by the 2002 tour unraveling. Once Bucket leaves, many of us give up and start jumping ship. The writing is on the wall and the emperor has no clothes.

The Album is coming out this year Axl (2006) - Anyone who was still on board at this point after all the promises made truly believed the album was coming out this year.  Axl nails the hammerstein shows and looks the best he has since the 90's. He has clearly hired a stylist because the bizarre fashion is gone. This guy actually looks like he means business - and his voice sounds amazing - nearly like AFD Axl (!). There's even reunion rumors flying in the air. This is the most credible Axl has been since 2001. Most of the album leaks and is very positively received by the fans.

Ok, it's really coming out soon but no one cares anymore Axl (2007-2008) -  Welps, he's back to being a fuckup again. This era is all about the drama. It's Interscope's fault. It's whatever producer of the week's fault. Redhead throws everyone under the bus. Public feuds with the old band continue. Christ - just give us the album! Oh the album is coming out finally at the end of 2008 - you're unceremoniously dumping it with no fanfare....and there is hardly anything noteworthy that we haven't already heard a million times? Fuck this is disappointing! 

Redneck Axl (2009-2010) - He's decided to tour the album nearly a year later when there's virtually zero momentum left. Another colossal fuckup. He can still sing but the awful fashion is back. Touring an album that has been heard by most people since 2006 goes about as expected. It's all stale by now and people are looking for the exits. They are barely an arena band now.

FAT AXL (2011 - 2015) - What's there left to say at this point? GnR and Axl are a complete joke and a walking car wreck. Fat Axl is a legend for his absolute demolishing of a plate of ribs. The shirts aren't fitting anymore and splitting his pants mid-show has become a real worry. Shows would feature a huffing and puffing Axl with pork rind crumbs around his mouth struggling not to faceplant from exhaustion during the first song in a set. Sometimes he'd just be bottled off stage within the first few songs when fans couldn't be bothered anymore. Cake and yorkshire pudding on his rider are the only reason at this point that he's still showing up to gigs. 

Reunion Axl (2016) - He's slimmed down a little and pumped full of meds. The "original" band is apparently back together but they hardly interact onstage. We're still saddled with Fortus, Frank, and another keyboard player. Why? Who knows. Duff and Slash appear to still be hired guns (albeit, handsomely compensated). Vocals are okay - enough to keep the casuals happy enough. Slash is doing all the heavy lifting but Axl's professionalism cannot be denied. This guy shows up on time and sees each show to the end - holy shit. His AC/DC shows are impressive. Unfortunately for GnR fans, the AC/DC fans got far better Axl vocals. The band feels more scripted and staged - which kinda kills the spontaneity. They're boring and predictable now. Where's Izzy?? You brought Steven for two songs?? Well...shit, I guess that's better than nothing. What's keeping our attention ? Will they bring Izzy and Steven full time? Will there be new music? If they're going to be a legacy act - I want the real band, the AFD era lineup!

Shell of former self Axl (2017 - present) - The answers to the above questions? Nah - not happening. None of the band gives a fuck and are coasting on the reunion cash. All they had to do was complete the first year of the tour without issue and the rest is gravy. Touring is a giant ATM machine. The band is now plumbing the depths of Kiss level merchandising. Axl has repaired some of his credibility by being professional and rejuvenated his legitimacy by pairing up with Duff and Slash. The press write some glowing reviews of this legacy act. Fernando, GnR's low-IQ manager, announces that the band is hard at work on an AFD dildo which will be released on their website soon. He is upset to hear that there isn't breathless anticipation on the forums. Hardly anyone cares what this band does by this point.  Even Slash is rumored to be showing up for gigs only to collect a paycheck.

Tldr, hardly anyone here gives a fuck about Axl aside from the sideshow at this point. The drama is what sustained many of us all these years. Axl the assclown being mocked by James Hetfield, Mike Patton, Kurt Cobain, Trent Reznor - take your pick. Even that isn't there anymore - so it all has become boring and trite. 

[Blackstar]

@RONIN what are your thoughts on Absurd/Silkworms being the first GN'R release since 2008 and the first with Slash and Duff since 1994? Probably the most nuts and unpredictable thing Axl has ever done - big troll job there

Edited August 7, 2021 by Blackstar

[Caught_in_a_Coma]

I don't think he's flawless and I'm not going to say I "love him"

But from a music standpoint, I love him because hearing Don't Cry and November Rain as a kid played a role in shaping how I viewed music, rock and the world

[PatrickS77]

For the record. I certainly do not love Axl Rose. It's almost 3 decades since I liked him.

[WhazUp]

For me it is simple, I think his vocal style (when he is "on) and approach to lyrics and melodies is very unique and one-of-a-kind and he is entertaining on stage.  But I do think that the amount of missed opportunities that should have been amazing winners, is at this point nearly as extensive as the amazing songs he has been a part of