To say I am incensed this morning over this statement from Axl Rose, well, that’s an UNDERstatement! (I have to make comments and they are in yellow. This could get me in trouble with his camp, I don’t really care.)
To: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N’ Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,
When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N’ Roses were to be inducted it’d be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation. (For you only Axl because of your ego.)
Since then we’ve listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall Of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N’ Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists’ comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts. (Oh wait, no conversations with the original members of GNR. And certainly the word “compromise,” look it up if you don’t know the meaning, never came to your mind. Furthermore, your sense of humility doesn’t exist, nor do any rational or sensible abilities.)
Under the circumstances I feel we’ve (change this to “I’ve”, there’s no “we” since you can not speak for the other members of the band.) been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking into consideration the history of Guns N’ Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in “our” induction (that for the record are decisions I don’t agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things… no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn’t appear to be somewhere I’m actually wanted or respected. (Gee, I wonder why? Because you came to the communication window at the 11th hour? Because you are an overblown, egotistical maniac who can’t see the forest for the trees?)
For the record, I would not begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such. Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It’s their show not mine. (Your “camp”?? There is only YOU! And you haven’t had the same management team since you left Alan Niven or maybe Doug Goldstein. You’ve tortured everyone who’s ever worked with or for you! There is only one Guns camp, and that is the original members, who are being honored as a GROUP, the same group that began 25 years ago!)
That said, I won’t be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N’ Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. (“I’m a spoiled brat!”)
I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of “Guns N’ Roses”. (“Because even though I am not there, I want to destroy the event for EVERYONE who was ever involved with the band.” And furthermore, Axl, you don’t have that power over the Hall! I hope everyone from Stephen Adler to Tom Zutaut gets up there to say something just to PISS YOU OFF!)
This decision is personal. (You can say that again!) This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp’s perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn.(You’ve already done that!) Though unfortunately I’m sure there will be those who take offense (God knows how long I’ll have to contend with the fallout) (forever, including when you reach hell), I certainly don’t intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision. (Too late, you already have!) Since the announcement of the nomination we’ve (here we go with that “we” again!) actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, “damned if I do, damned if I don’t” scenario all the way around.
In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I’ve publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing’s changed. (After this, Axl, no one wants to admit they ever MET you!)
The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of “for the fans” or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal and DJ Ashba. (Yes, and no offense to any of those musicians, and especially “Chinese Democracy,” this ain’t Guns N’ Roses and you should change the name, regardless of who you think owns the name!)
Izzy came out with us a few times back in ’06 and I invited him to join us at our LA Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in ’06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned. Duff joined us in 2010 and again in ’11 along with his band, Loaded, opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future for a song or two, that’s enough. (Oh, hmmm, Slash’s name left out intentionally because you know he’s a better man than you are. Can’t you be a bigger man and resolve YOUR issues?)
There’s a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light, there isn’t room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion.
Maybe if it were you it’d be different. (You got that right, buster!) Maybe you’d do it for this reason or that. (For the freakin’ FANS, dude, the FANS who won’t put up with your version of reality!) Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We’re there for each other when the going get’s rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can. (Yeah, you love them….that’s why you stand them up til Midnight most nights when the show is supposed to start at 9. You love them so you are gonna deny them the sheer joy of seeing this reunion. You love them, so you are gonna spoil the only opportunity this reunion COULD make sense, if just for a night. You love them because they ones who never got to see the band all those years ago will never get this chance!)
So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn’t owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another’s, or in this case several others’, expense. (In 20 years, Axl, some one like me will ask you, “What’s Your Favorite Biggest Mistake?” I hope this is your answer!)
But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the “no show, grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn’t care about the fans” crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let’s move on. No one’s taking the ball and going home. Don’t get it twisted. For more than a decade and a half we’ve endured the double standards, the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. (Not to mention, impossibly difficult lead singers who suffer from LSD, “lead singer disease.” Look it up in the dictionary: your face is there!) Not to imply anything in this particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball’s never been in our court. (Oh puh-leeze!)
In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as ironic as it may seem, I’d like to sincerely thank the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns’ induction. More importantly I’d like to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we’ve had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N’ Roses music. (B.S.)
I wish the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!! (Hope the backlash doesn’t hit ya square in the face!)
Sincerely,
Axl Rose (and Roxy)
P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III (I think he was speaking of Armand Crump, Kerry King’s guitar tech)
