What is Axl Rose up to this time? I read his letter and it seems like once again he is being a bit selfish. It's not about you, it's about the fans. Then again why should he start thinking about the fans now?
I guess what he is saying is that Guns N' Roses is the band we have now and not the one(s) we remember from the 80s. What constitutes a band anyway? In the case of Van Halen it's having a least one guy named Van Halen. I remember their induction and all we got were Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, two guys who either quit or were fired depending on whom you believe. In the Roth/Hagar debates I always stated that I didn't care that much as long as Eddie was in the band. Each singer had their strengths and weaknesses and I don't want to rehash them. Then there is the Gary Cherone era.
The induction ceremonies are often something to look forward to for all the wrong reasons. Admit it, we want to see a fight or at least a very uncomfortable moment. It seems like the only thing some bands can agree on is that they hate each other. Or in some cases everyone hates one person who usually the lead singer. I'm not going to mention any names. *cough* Talking Heads *cough*
The other day I saw a commercial for a Temptations concert. I am absolutely sure I am not in 1965. I think. I have no idea which of the various versions of the group it is but some would argue that the Temptations are David Ruffan, Eddie Kendrick, and erm . . . You get the point. As far as I know Otis Williams is the only original member still in the group. By the time I finish this who knows?
Much like the Temptations, Lynyrd Skynyrd are still touring. At least when I saw them in the 1990s there were still some original members. Last I heard the drummer from Damn Yankees was in the band. You can't make this stuff up.
Can we still call GN'R "GN'R"? There still is a Rose in the band but no Guns and he hasn't been with the band in decades. In fact the last time I saw LA Guns it was St Patrick's Day 2009 at Fado Irish Pub in Atlanta (you tell me) and it was the Phil Lewis version. Yes, there are competing versions. Can't we all get along?
That is the problem with bands that change members which one is the definitive one? I was born in 1968 so I don't remember Brian Jones being in the Rolling Stones but a lot of people who do say that Brian was the Stones.
Bon Scott was the lead singer of AC/DC in my youth but after he died Brian Johnson took over and he did the the nearly impossible-- he didn't suck. Some other bands such as Bad Company changed lead singers and they really were never the same.
The Doobie Brothers and Chicago got new singers and a ton of new fans. Whether it was for the best I have no idea but Time/Life sells a lot of compilation CDs so at least someone is making money.
So, in conclusion, Axl please pull your head out and take one for the team.
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