Fans weren’t disappointed when the band finally took the stage. The venue was lit up with bright lights, loud guitars, and even louder pyrotechnics. The sound of the band was so overwhelming that Rose's signature wails could barely be heard for most of the set. But maybe he wanted it that way; he isn’t 20 years old anymore.
Dressed in layers of clothing and wearing a cowboy hat, scarf, aviators, and an awkward looking fu man chu mustache, Rose did not look like himself. Gone are the days where he would take the stage in just a pair of American flag boxer briefs; the man is aging and it isn’t pretty.
Throughout the show, Rose would sneak off to a small curtained room to the side of the stage whenever there was a guitar solo. It happened often since three guitarists were vying for a reason to show off their skills. The question is: What exactly was he doing back there? Resting from all the running around on stage? Sucking in some oxygen? Whatever it was, he did it often enough to become noticeable.
Photo by Angel Calzada
Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses
Although the original Guns N’Roses lineup parted ways in the mid-nineties, the band’s loyal fans seemed to care less who was backing the reclusive lead singer. As one fan’s message said just before the show, “Axl is GNR.” However, Rose would look much better if a certain big haired, top hat wearing guitarist in aviators was by his side. Even though the guitarists on stage did a commendable job at attempting the solos that Slash made famous, it took three of them to equal his stage presence, and even then, it wasn’t enough.
Oftentimes the solos were a bit indulgent. Fans were there to see Rose: to hear him shriek through signature tracks like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” which he did surprisingly well. When Rose reached into his lower octaves, that was when the winces would start.
Rose’s best moment was when he tickled the ivories to Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” which segued into his magnum opus “November Rain.” One of the best GN’R tracks, “November Rain” demonstrated Rose’s skills as a musician rather than just a pompous lead singer.
After more than 25 songs, several hat and jacket changes, and multiple trips to his secret chambers, Rose ended the show with “Paradise City” on a high note. Really: His wails could break glass. Fans seemed eager for more, despite the fact that the concert ended near 1 a.m."
The above article states everything that makes the current Guns 'n Roses lineup so maddening. Now I know haters are going to say this isn't the "real" Guns n' Roses, meaning this isn't the original lineup. I'm well aware of that. Would I rather have Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler and Duff McKagen there? Yes I would, but for whatever reason they aren't there.
I bet you can't name one band that is currently touring with their original lineup. AC/DC: No! The Rolling Stones: No! Led Zeppelin: No! Pearl Jam! No. R.E.M. No! I've been thinking about it and can only come up with one, Motley Crue. Roger Waters is still on his "The Wall" tour and he's doing that by himself.
Also I know that Axl Rose has gotten older, haven't we all? Yes, I also know that Axl Rose is a spoiled child. He likes to make his fans wait and he's also a drama queen. Also I know that their best original music is years in the past. "Chinese Democracy" had a few good ideas, but overall was a very uneven CD.
Yes, there are a lot of things that would make one pause about going. However for me a chance to see Guns n' Roses one more time in the flesh. I can't pass that up. If they show up in Salt Lake, this could be very well the last time they are here. Who's with me to enjoy some of the greatest music of all-time, representing the greatest musical era? I'll be there, will you?
Here's a selection of their songs (as Gn'R is very raw, their language is as well. Be advised.) I also apologize many of the below videos are terrible. For some reason audio cuts out in the middle of some and/or the sound is terrible.
This is "Estranged" sung earlier this year:"November Rain" this year also:
A few songs from "Chinese Democracy", this is "Better":
"Sorry": Does anyone have an explanation for the yellow coat he's wearing. This is Axl, maybe he was going to flashing afterwards?
This is "Street of Dreams" from the Dallas show mentioned above:
Here's some of their greatest hits, again the videos are lacking in quality:
The awesome "Rocket Queen" live:
"Out Ta Get Me":
One of the greatest slabs of rock ever, "Paradise City":
themusicaddict
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