He should issue a mea culpa on the humiliating, over-hyped failure that was Chinese Democracy.

Oh well, let the other band mates step up and accept their induction while Axl sits at home to stew over absolutely nothing.

Paul McCartney also wrote a letter and didn't show up to The Beatles induction. Last year Peter Gabriel said he was too busy to show up for Genesis' induction. Nothing special here.

I didn't read the whole letter because it's a crashing bore, full of ego, contradiction, attempts to look "literate" and childish resentment...

this guy is beyond redemption, forever the bitter assh*le...

it's ok if he sees his relationship with his former bandmates as a "total divorce", but damn man, we're not asking you for a reunion world tour, a new album or whatever, we're just asking for a brief night to celebrate the old days...

I'm glad Slash will be there, as far as I'm concerned, Slash was JUST AS important as Axl during the GNR heyday (87-93)

fuck you Axl, now drown in your pool of cash, that's the only thing you got left, if that's all you need, fine...

[Edited 4/12/12 11:22am]

now that is Rock and Roll!

good for him. the RRHOF is a joke. Once the cooperate machine got its dirty mits on it is no better than any other mainstream pageant or awards show or talent show.

missfee said:

Oh well, let the other band mates step up and accept their induction while Axl sits at home to stew over absolutely nothing.

I'm just glad Slash is in the Hall of Fame.

Is there some way we can stop paying attention to this guy?

Jestyr said:

Is there some way we can stop paying attention to this guy?

Pray the Axl away

Responding to Axl's letter to the press, a spokesperson for the Rock Hall had this to say:

"We are sorry Axl will not be able to accept his induction in person. We are looking forward to still inducting Guns N' Roses this weekend and will proceed forward with our original plan, whether Axl is present or not.''

Identity said:

Responding to Axl's letter to the press, a spokesperson for the Rock Hall had this to say:

"We are sorry Axl will not be able to accept his induction in person. We are looking forward to still inducting Guns N' Roses this weekend and will proceed forward with our original plan, whether Axl is present or not.''

Gunsnhalen said:

Jestyr said:

Is there some way we can stop paying attention to this guy?

Pray the Axl away

Identity said:

Responding to Axl's letter to the press, a spokesperson for the Rock Hall had this to say:

"We are sorry Axl will not be able to accept his induction in person. We are looking forward to still inducting Guns N' Roses this weekend and will proceed forward with our original plan, whether Axl is present or not.''

Dude has always been a dick

I gotta admit, that's Rock Star 101 stuff right there.

and he still makes people wait 2 HRS.

JoeBala said:

and he still makes people wait 2 HRS.

and they still abide by it 20 years later.

DiminutiveRocker said:

Gunsnhalen said:

Axl just simply doesn't give a fuck, i mean obviousely with my name & all i'm a GNR freak and Axl is a great frontman. But he is a fucked up person & i think no matter how bad he think's thing's are, he need's to grow up cause he caused most of the bullshit.

The worst of it was back in the day he tried to say it was Slash was the one with drugs & issues... when Axl was on drugs to, gtfo u red headed twat waffle

[Edited 4/11/12 21:08pm]

Eh, I would disagree. He wouldnt have droned on in this long, drawn-out letter if he didnt care. He simply would have respectfully declined the induction and moved on.

He *is* a mess, though - you're right about that. I am long-time friends with one of his personal assistants from back in the day... said Axl blew everything out of proportion. Paranoid and somewhat dellusional. And this was the sober Axl - go figure.

Yoikes! Imagine him on the drugs!!!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

DiminutiveRocker said:

Eh, I would disagree. He wouldnt have droned on in this long, drawn-out letter if he didnt care. He simply would have respectfully declined the induction and moved on.

He *is* a mess, though - you're right about that. I am long-time friends with one of his personal assistants from back in the day... said Axl blew everything out of proportion. Paranoid and somewhat dellusional. And this was the sober Axl - go figure.

Yoikes! Imagine him on the drugs!!!

I know, right?

DiminutiveRocker said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Yoikes! Imagine him on the drugs!!!

I know, right?

Maybe they made him sane!

Just think of the spiritual lessons of rock stars. It can't be easy! Prince has proven that

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

DiminutiveRocker said:

I know, right?

Maybe they made him sane!

Just think of the spiritual lessons of rock stars. It can't be easy! Prince has proven that

DiminutiveRocker said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Maybe they made him sane!

Just think of the spiritual lessons of rock stars. It can't be easy! Prince has proven that

I am so divorced from him but he has made the most impact on my life so I engage in forgiveness towards myself for judging him so harshly.

Just don't cross me P

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

[Edited 4/13/12 0:05am]

MattyJam said:

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

[Edited 4/13/12 0:05am]

Huh, I did not know that Izzy was not attending. Was there any kind of statement from him about why he was not going to be there?

I partially agree with you about Izzy. To a large degree his contributions to the group have always been undervalued. This is just a guess but aside from the songwriting I always had the impression that he acted as a bridge between Axl and the rest of them. Having known Axl for so much longer than the others I think it was disatrous for the band when Izzy quit.

However, you may be slightly exaggerating his importance to the band as a songwriter. On the first two albums he was credited as a songwriter on most of the songs but on the two Use Your Illusion discs he only has credit on eleven of the twenty-seven songs (that's excluding the two covers and the alternate version of "Don't Cry"). Maybe that was a sign that he was already losing interest in the band? Whatever the reason I do believe that the rest of the band were capable of writing good-great songs too. The problem may have been that after Izzy left the chemistry went south and it may have been difficult to be creative in a very poisonous atmosphere where one member was acting like a dictator. Still, the fact is that Slash has displayed on his post Guns 'N Roses work that he has trouble crafting great material so maybe you do have a point about him not being in the same league as Izzy as a songwriter.

[Edited 4/13/12 3:58am]

MattyJam said:

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

one of the dullest posts I've read here in a long time...

JoeTyler said:

MattyJam said:

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

one of the dullest posts I've read here in a long time...

And your contribution has been...?

MattyJam said:

JoeTyler said:

one of the dullest posts I've read here in a long time...

And your contribution has been...?

dull is dull, sorry

[Edited 4/13/12 8:44am]

JoeTyler said:

MattyJam said:

And your contribution has been...?

dull is dull, sorry

[Edited 4/13/12 8:44am]

Then why did you read it? And then make a post about it?

Geez, some people...

MattyJam said:

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

[Edited 4/13/12 0:05am]

I think you underestimate the influence that this band had. They had but 2 albums of consequence, but have disproportionately left their imprint on rock and roll that last up until this day. People bash Axl for being a jerk, not for anything else. And it does have impact on people's lives, or no one would mention it. I understand your admiration for Izzy, but he isn't mentioned because he was not the face of the band. He was the first of the originals to leave, and in terms of recognition, he actually falls behind Scott Adler at this point in time. The "two headed snake" of Guns and Roses was Axl and Slash. Izzy did not figure into the equation. It matters not who wrote what, his position was not lead guitar, he did not play the solo's, wear the hat, stand in the spotlight. In show business, perception is reality. You can say megalomaniac, but dude said he just wanted to work. Axl was taking the Michael Jackson approach to releasing material. He put together a band and hit the road. Snake Pit sold millions, and put on some great shows. He said he would have never come back off the road had the record company not insisted he do another GNR record. And exactly which songs was he not capable of writing? Ain't none of it Mozart. It is going to start in Eb and there will be a walk up to Ab and a turn around on Cb. That is 70 percent of the catalog. The rest is a variation on the theme. Duff and Slash are tight to this day. They have worked together on projects, and both have their own bands going independently. They have won awards, toured, and sold millions of records, and worked with many top artist in the business. The same can not be said for Axl and Izzy.

leonche64 said:

MattyJam said:

Bashing Axl for not wanting to go a Country Club Dinner (which you have to pay to attend), which has zero impact on anyone's lives, is nonsensical. Even more so, when none of these articles mention an important piece of the puzzle: Izzy isn't going. Izzy and Axl formed this band, and were the main songwriters. What the HOF will end up being is a new way for Irving Azoff to market Velvet Revolver, and find a lead singer popular enough to book another tour with these guys. Without Axl or Izzy, this is VR getting inducted--not GN'R. If Izzy was going to go, my bet is Axl would have gone. I think those two are still very close, and the two who were the keys to this band.

You want proof of Slash's megalomania--look no further than him positioning himself with the media as the "Keith Richards" or "Joe Perry" of GN'R. Nothing could be further from the truth---Izzy always was the "Keith", of GN'R. Look to 94-95, Slash brought in the Snakepit songs, Axl and Duff reject them; Axl doesn't like Gilby's stuff, and who does he go to for songs: Izzy. AS Duff said, they started working up some songs with Izzy. Without Izzy, I don't think Axl saw Slash as an important part of the band, especially after Slash brought in the crap Snakepit songs, and told Axl to shut-up and sing. Axl realized at that point, this guy has gone beyond a power grab, and thus the rift began. Axl knew the songs had to be at a level far above Snakepit, and Slash wasn't capable of writing those songs, nor had the desire to learn how to write those kind of songs. Ironically, he was the one telling Axl to "shut-up and sing"--I don't blame Axl and Duff for saying: "no, not gonna do that stuff".

Bashing fans for "understanding" why Axl decided not to go to the HOF, only further shows complete irrational, follow the herd behavior. Axl owes no one anything, especially the establishment who were trying to con him into a reunion. The man did, if you put yourself truly in his shoes, the most logical and classy move possible.

[Edited 4/13/12 0:05am]

I think you underestimate the influence that this band had. They had but 2 albums of consequence, but have disproportionately left their imprint on rock and roll that last up until this day. People bash Axl for being a jerk, not for anything else. And it does have impact on people's lives, or no one would mention it. I understand your admiration for Izzy, but he isn't mentioned because he was not the face of the band. He was the first of the originals to leave, and in terms of recognition, he actually falls behind Scott Adler at this point in time. The "two headed snake" of Guns and Roses was Axl and Slash. Izzy did not figure into the equation. It matters not who wrote what, his position was not lead guitar, he did not play the solo's, wear the hat, stand in the spotlight. In show business, perception is reality. You can say megalomaniac, but dude said he just wanted to work. Axl was taking the Michael Jackson approach to releasing material. He put together a band and hit the road. Snake Pit sold millions, and put on some great shows. He said he would have never come back off the road had the record company not insisted he do another GNR record. And exactly which songs was he not capable of writing? Ain't none of it Mozart. It is going to start in Eb and there will be a walk up to Ab and a turn around on Cb. That is 70 percent of the catalog. The rest is a variation on the theme. Duff and Slash are tight to this day. They have worked together on projects, and both have their own bands going independently. They have won awards, toured, and sold millions of records, and worked with many top artist in the business. The same can not be said for Axl and Izzy.

and don't forget Chinese Democracy that Axl Rose's solo album (I refuse to call it a GNR album) has basically 3 truly good songs (title-track, Better, Madagascar), and then a bunch of pseudo-industrial filler and some overblown but faceless & forgettable "epic" ballads...

"Slither" alone is better than any song off ChD...

[Edited 4/13/12 9:18am]

Prince does similar things. Does anybody complain?