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Guns N' Roses
If all this happened you'd probably conclude the group had an appetite for destruction. But the above are but a few highlights in the Guns N' Roses legend.
At seventeen, former choirboy William Bailey decided to change his last name to Rose, his dad's last name. Bailey was his step-father's name. Picking up the Axl handle, as a tribute to some former bands, Rose headed for the land of music opportunity, L.A., to connect with his friend Izzy Stradlin. They hooked up with Tracii Guns becoming the L.A. Guns. Eventually, Guns left and guitarist Slash (Saul Hudson), drummer Steven Adler and bassist Duff McKagen signed on.
In '86, Guns N' Roses recorded an EP for the Uzi/Suicide label, "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide." That effort paid double dividends. It brought them to the attention of Geffen Records and got a spot opening for Iron Maiden. This was where Rose lost his voice. Their major label debut "Appetite for Destruction" was a monster selling six million copies before the dust settled. "Sweet Child O' Mine," written about Axl's girlfriend and future ex-wife, Erin Everly, rode heavy-duty vocals and a blistering guitar solo straight to the top. They followed that up with the Metal frenzy of "Welcome To The Jungle" and a tour supporting Aerosmith. Here's when they had to restrict their substance abuse. Soon Guns N' Roses were headliners.
Guns N' Roses always managed to find controversy. There were those pesky arrests for disorderly conduct or public disturbance. During various performances or awards shows, a band member or two would show up intoxicated and say something that got everybody riled. Angered by something, usually insignificant, band members routinely announced they were leaving. There was a lot of press but nothing came of it. Rose held up his end by winning Rolling Stone magazine's Worst Male Rock Singer and Worst Dressed awards. He "contributed" to a riot during a Maryland show that resulted in arrests, property damage and the cancellation of a couple Guns N' Roses shows. There was also the long-standing dispute over Alder's departure from the band in '90 (he was replaced by Matt Sorum, formerly of the Cult). A year later, Adler claimed in court that he had been forced out and cheated out of royalty payments. '91 also saw the arrival of "Use Your Illusion I & II." The two CDs were released simultaneously and held the #1 and #2 album spots in the U.S. No other Rock artist had ever accomplished that. Each would move seven million copies. "November Rain" was the obligatory Rock ballad hit.
Next up was the covers CD "The Spaghetti Incident." Guns N' Roses had done covers before but not to this extent. It was another commercial success. Then Erin Everly went public and accused Rose of abuse. Boy, that was a shocker. As the mid-90's arrived, Guns N' Roses halted with Slash sliding into Slash's Snakepit. That adventure caused Rose to announce that Slash was no longer in the group. So much for that - and Guns N' Roses. Slash showed up in Velvet Revolver with former STP frontman Scott Weiland.
By the mid-90s, GN'R was on the ropes. In addition to Slash, Adler and McKagen bailed. And getting another album recorded was proving extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible. Tracks were laid down, then discarded. Songs were finished only to be shelved. All that appeared was the song "Oh My God" for the "End Of Days" soundtrack in '99. The song, which featured guitarist Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers), was to be included on what was now officially titled "Chinese Democracy." Turned out though, "End Of Days" was not particularly well received and the song failed to make the final cut.
The group's label, Geffen, probably tired of waiting for new product, issued "Live Era: 87 - '93" which culled performances from the "Appetite For Destruction" and "Use Your Illusion" tours.
Couldn't blame the label, GN'R's world looked very uncertain. Guitarist Robin Finck left the group to return to Nine Inch Nails. This move opened the door for the infamous Buckethead (Brian Carroll). Aside from being an accomplished guitarist, Buckethead earned his nickname by wearing a KFC bucket, like a crown, on stage. That and Rose's repeated chatter about the forthcoming "Chinese Democracy" though there was nothing to back it up, was turning GN'R into a joke. On the plus side, a year after he departed, Finck returned giving GN'R duel lead guitars (Finck and Buckethead).
But it didn't last. Buckethead, who had established a marginal solo career, left in '04. GN'R's official statement summed up the Buckethead experience:
"During his tenure with the band, Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and his commitment, despite being under contract, creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals, and live plans with confidence. His transient lifestyle has made it near impossible for even his closest friends to have nearly any form of communications with him whatsoever."
The whole Buckethead experience along with Rose's erratic behavior made it seem the Second Coming would arrive before "Chinese Democracy."
Thanks in part to the release of "Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits" the group remained a viable concert draw with an expanded line-up. It was now Rose, Finck, Ron Thal (guitar), Richard Fortus (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Chris Pitman (keyboards) and Frank Ferrer (drums). But even this project had it snarls. Following extensive, if unsuccessful, legal maneuvering by the group, they weren't consulted regarding song selection or track sequencing, the compilation landed in '04.
Dr. Pepper, the soft drink maker, decided to garner a little publicity at GN'R's expense. They promised that if "Chinese Democracy" were released any time in '08, they would provide a free Dr. Pepper to everyone in the U.S. That appeared to be a no risk proposition.
Then a handful of "Chinese Democracy" tracks were leaked online. Amid the controversy (how'd this happen, who was responsible?), an album release date was announced. A few weeks later the title track/lead single was shipped to radio. And after a mere 13-year wait "Chinese Democracy" was finally released. Whew!
"It's a pretty intense musical journey, really," said Reed of "Chinese Democracy." "Everyone that is in the band, or was in the band at some point — 'cause there, you know, there's been a few guys who have come and gone even since the old band — has contributed, and because of that I think it really takes you to some interesting musical places. When you add Axl and guitars, of course, though, it kinda glues it all together."
No GN'R album can ever drop without issues. Not even one that was a long time coming and logged impressive sales ("Chinese Democracy" sold 261,000 copies during its first week of release to debut at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart) . The album easily met the group's controversy quota - one involved a U.S. company and the other a foreign government. Impressive - even for GN'R.
Dr Pepper made good on its offer. "We never thought this day would come," said Dr Pepper VP of Marketing Tony Jacobs. "But now that it's here all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."
Dr Pepper soon discovered that even riding on the group's coattails brought trouble. Many fans experienced difficulties trying to retrieve the free-soda coupon the company promised. The large volume of visitors apparently caused the Dr Pepper site to crash. GN'R's lawyer weighed in issuing a letter making all sorts of demands - ranging from extending the offer period to Dr Pepper making a public apology in several national publications. "It's an appalling failure to make good on a promise," railed Rose. Guns N' Roses was not involved in the promotion.
"Chinese Democracy" reviews were generally favorable (not the group's best album but up there). However, there was one major dissenting voice. China's communist government condemned "Chinese Democracy" saying the album was an attack on the country and added that GN'R was part of a Western conspiracy to "grasp and control the world using democracy as a pawn."
"As far as I know, many people don't like this kind of music," said Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman Qin Gang. "It's too noisy and clamorous." Yeah, isn't that the point? The Chinese were reportedly upset with the album's title track lyrics referencing Falun Gong ("Blame it on the Falun Gong. They've seen the end and you can't hold on now"). Falun Gong is a spiritual practice/movement founded in China that is often at odds with the government.
Shortly after "Chinese Democracy" had run its course, Rose gave his first major interview in nine years to Billboard magazine. The singer said he was open to performing with ex-GN'R members (there are a lot of 'em) at some point but vowed never to play again with Slash. "One of the two of us will die before a reunion . . . however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it," declared Rose.
Before critics had a chance to assess "Chinese Democracy," Hinder drummer Cody Hanson weighed in stating that the tracks he'd heard were "too artsy" and sounded overproduced. "I guess that's what happens whenever you've got 20 years to sit in the studio." Hanson went to say he missed the band's original line-up. Well, who doesn't? "GN'R definitely wasn't just Axl."
What brought this on? Well, Hinder did turn down an offer to open for GN'R on tour so maybe there was some bias. To be fair, former GN'R drummer Matt Sorum was reportedly "pleasantly surprised" when he heard "Chinese Democracy's" title track.
Sorum is closer to the mark than Hanson. "Chinese Democracy's" title track is a potent blast. Axl wailing, killer guitar solo, tight verses - the only letdown is a pedestrian chorus. And that shortcoming is endemic of the album. There are some great tracks but they never quite gel like top like top drawer GN"R. That, and blatantly unrealistic expectations, undercut "Chinese Democracy." It's a damn good album (considering the effort involved, how could it not be) but not GN'R's best. Maybe worth a five-year wait. Still, it's no small achievement that "Chinese Democracy" is reasonably close to the group's legendary work.
"Sweet Child O' Mine" driven by Slash and Stradlin's guitars and Rose's impassioned vocals is a Rock classic. "Welcome To The Jungle" is another hard-edged, mean-eyed Rocker. They are both on Guns N' Roses' '87 full-length debut "Appetite For Destruction." Their first is also their best. The follow-up "GN'R Lies" is an eight-track mini-album that includes live material. "Use Your Illusion I & II," rolling out in '91, are the group's last major efforts. They manage a decent cover of Paul McCartney's pop ""Live and Let Die" and there's the mournful "November Rain." The covers CD, "The Spaghetti Incident," includes a song written by Charles Manson. Stradlin is gone and the group is finding trouble around every corner. The toll is evident.
"Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits" is just what you'd expect.
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