I saw Dave Navarro on that list and immediately questioned to myself why he was there, but then I remembered that he played on the End of Days soundtrack. Although, he was never a member of the band, just associated with them.
It's good that Navarro never initally went to Guns N' Roses in 1991, that would have sucked; him being second to Slash? No thanks, Navarro is better than that. He is better than just a rhythm guitarist.
It makes me wonder though, what would actually have happened on that stage if Axl were there. Would him and Slash even look at each other? That would certainly have been interesting to see.
Who knows what would have happened. It would be awkward I know that much. Probably go out after each other and accept the award separately in order to avoid any tension.
Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne's band was asked to join Guns alongside Slash (likely after 1994 when the band was doing nothing) when Axl was recording the 1700th take of Chinese Democracy - he just couldn't get the right tone after 12 years of trying with 16 other random guitarists.
It was after Stradlin left, they couldn't get a guitarist they liked. They only kept Gilby Clarke because he was a "it'll do" job, and they needed to see out the tour (which would finish a mere 20-something-months later).
That's what disappoints me about Guns N' Roses, but only slightly. It was when the 90s started that tension started and the bad behaviour was becoming beyond evident. Before that, there was drugs being done, but that was kept undercover and the bad behaviour wasn't shown. They were pretty much an innocent band in the late-80s. I think the reason why Axl started to act like what he was acting like at St. Louis, for example, was because he knew his band was now famous. Appetite for Destruction changed Axl's attitude. It was like they got too big for their boots. When Stradlin left, it was a MASSIVE loss. He had great songwriting potential. But he done the right thing, sometimes he was not really suited to the band.
One other thing is Steven Adler getting fired because of drugs. The band never even knew that Slash was doing hardcore drugs, along with Duff, yet Adler was fired. He was a brilliant drummer, and perfect for Guns N' Roses. Sorum is a great drummer, but then a piece of the jigsaw puzzle went missing. He tried to be aggressive in his playing, but the sound was never there. Adler always managed to maintain that raw, heavy drum sound that contributed to GnR's sound spectacuarly.
I just find it annoying how, after one album, they were already deteroriating. It's hard to top a debut album like Appetite for Destruction. But I suppose that is what makes both of the Use Your Illusion albums very good; not excellent, but only very good.
So Myles Kennedy was the vocalist last night at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. Knew that would happen, and it's great too - it's going to piss Axl off. The set was:
On a good day nothing could piss him off, on a bad day anything would. Plus, I'm pretty shure he wouldn't have been watching and probably won't ever watch that.
BTW I don't agree that the G'nR were in bad shape/already deteriorating in 91/92, and Illusion shows were much better than Appetite era, simply in quality and musicianship.
Illusion 1&2 are truly inspired albums and properly showcase the interaction of writing talent between Izzy/Axl/Slash/Duff. Matt is a solid and flexible drummer, much better suited to the intricacies and complexity necessary for songs like Locomotion or You Could be Mine, he is quite loud and not too subtle, I'll give you that. Adler was great on Appetite, a bit one-dimensional, but Slash and Duff had questions about his work ethic, dating to their time together before G'nR. He could've addressed his capabilities, had he had the right attitude, but that was the problem.
Slash has said that '94 was the end, because Axl got in some other guitarist to double his tracks for Sympathy for the Devil. I would say that Spaghetti ('93) was already a good indication of the end, since it was all covers. Slash's work since hasn't been inspired, neither has Izzy's solo work, I don't know about Duff's solo stuff, but I never liked his solo contributions much anyway. I understand that he was influential and balanced out the band nicely, because of his personality and he added some pop sensibilities and punk simplicity to otherwise difficult and inaccessible songs.
But to me G'nR was always about the eclectic mix of Izzy's Stonesy, bluesy songwriting and Axl's over the top, exuberant style (Queen+Ozzy+Elton John) while Slash brought classic hard rock, including Aerosmith, Kiss, Sabbath and Zep to the mix.
A combination of two out of three would always give you something interesting. Without Axl or Slash it's not G'nR, but without Izzy there was no songwriting. The best comparison to me is the Stones original trio of songwriters: Jagger+Richards+Brian Jones. Without Jones something went missing.
BTW someone commented that in the late 80s they appeared normal and nice...?! What?! They looked crazy when I first saw their video for Jungle, back in 87, then they exploded in popularity and topped it with some controversy over Lies (in particular One in a Million). They were always picking fights and stirring up trouble. Listen to Axl's rants on early bootlegs, when he's dissing acts such as Kiss for losing touch with real music.
Lastly I think all of them had trouble with substance abuse, the difference was in the fact that Slash and Izzy could still function on a mix of booze and coke, Axl was a headcase anyway, irrespective of what drugs he was taking, but Adler was doing heroine, as was Navarro when he tried to join.
That's not going to work. See Nirvana/Sex Pistols/STP/etc. Drugs are bad, but heroine is a killer.
Just think about it: Dave Mustaine (heroine) who himself was kicked out of Metallica, by Hetfield (alcoholic), kicked out Chris Poland (heroine) from Megadeth, because Poland was selling band equipment to fund his habit. It takes one to know one I guess...
I am releasing this statement to bring closure to the night’s events at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, and to all things Guns N’ Roses. This will alleviate numerous press statements and interviews about the subject, which I have already addressed on my Twitter.
In these last few months since getting notice about being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, many emotions and feelings have gone through my head and heart, as well as the original five members of GN'S: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven. I was also chosen to be inducted, along with Dizzy Reed.
It was slightly awkward for me in some ways knowing some fans have the original five in their hearts for a reunion. I chose to say to Slash and Duff, ‘Please have Steven play, and let me know what you would like me to do.’
Two days before the event. Axl made his statement known. And it was apparent he wouldn't be attending. In respect to him, that is his decision and should be honored. Also, Izzy declined. So I suggested Slash call Gilby, who was left out of the proceedings. Gilby was a member of the band and contributing to the ‘Use Your Illusions’ World Tour, which took us around the globe for three years, as well as playing guitar on ‘Spaghetti Incident’ and ‘The Live Era’ albums. It felt like the right thing to do.
In fairness to the rest of the original line-up and myself, we decided to go ahead and attend. This is an honor that is once in a lifetime and couldn't be missed, especially for fans of the band. To us, it was honoring them as well. Regarding playing live, we agreed that we would share the stage together, joined by Myles Kennedy as guest singer, who did a fine job filling big shoes. Steven graciously offered ‘Brownstone’ and played two other ‘Appetite’ tracks, and I sang and joined him near the kit on ‘Paradise City.’
It felt perfect for all involved.
In my speech, I made references to drugs and Steven being dismissed from the band, in which I referred to, "How could someone be fired from Guns N’ Roses for doing too many drugs??"
It was meant to be light-hearted. But knowing the struggles Steven has endured all these years. I felt I needed to clarify that Steven was onstage, healthy, and ready to rock.
It is well known that the rest of the band has endured addiction and alcoholism and at this point in our lives, we are all healthy and sober
Not to make light of drugs and alcohol…we were all full-blown addicts when the band split. What started out as a party and what we believed was part of the makeup of the band turned on all of us in the end.
Many years of soul searching and reconnecting with our inner selves have brought glorious gifts: Velvet Revolver with millions of records sold and a Grammy, Steven with his new band, and more. We are now all playing music and making records on our own that is truly what we love, before any of the business of music came into play. The music has always been the passion, before anything else.
Stevens’s passion for GN’R is something that no one can explain but him: it’s a true love gone, but never forgotten. How many people have felt that in their lifetime?
I told Steven and the rest of the guys the night of the Induction that night was for them and what they created on the streets of Hollywood, and it can never be taken away. The music will live on. And that's what counts. Not about who was there at the Induction. That the music will always be theirs and no can ever take that away.
Also, I have much respect for my former band, The Cult. And all the musicians I have played with over the years. They have all taught me so much.
I also need to thank my dearest and closest confidante, Ace Harper, who is my fiancée' and has made me a better man. She has walked beside in times of darkness, and has been there for me when all the stage lights and backstage parties were over.
This is where life is for all of us now survivors of a Rock & Roll era you will never see the likes of again: Married men Slash with two wonderful boys, Duff with two beautiful girls, Steven happy with a beautiful wife.
Life is good, my friends…we are alive! God Bless the fans of GN'S.
didn't know where to put this ..
Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland’s new song “Breathe” is available to purchase in the United Kingdom on The Avengers soundtrack (preview on amazon)
the album seems to be leaked
on general note i'm wondering if it is a good idea to open a "general music" topic where to put something that don't fit a band topic and without opening hundreds of others that could be "useless"