Here Today... Gone To Hell!

VELVET REVOLVER: NYC Show Attended By GNR Guitarist RICHARD FORTUS - May 27, 2004  
 
VELVET REVOLVER's performance at New York's Roseland Ballroom Wednesday night (May 26) was attended by none other than current GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus, according to several eyewitnesses. Inquiring minds can't help but wonder if Mr. Fortus had the permission of notoriously heavy-handed GNR frontman Axl Rose to be at the concert, especially in light of Rose's past refusal to allow his former GNR bandmates into his own gigs.

A bunch of photos taken at the Roseland gig can be viewed at this location (courtesy of Wire Image).
 
www.blabbermouth.net

Dude,  :o

If you seen, post some pics : ok:

But, hold on, I thought the band was taking the recording one step further.....recording without a bass player, a drummer, and a guitar player...hmmmm, Axl continues to tweak and twiddle... :hihi:

Attended means that he was a audience at the concert and not on stage and played?

Then, maybe they?re not recording anymore? ::)
The further one step has been taken already?

Good news! Perhaps? :confused:

maybe he was just curious and wanted to see what all the fuss was all about... it means nothing... he does not have to clear going to see a VR show with Axl Rose...

i like the way you think..i hope so

the writer is stretching a bit when he references "Rose's past refusal to allow his former GNR bandmates into his own gigs."

Fortus was never a bandmate of anyone in VR.

And Fortus lives in New York.  Big fucking deal that he went to the show.

I don't know that it is a big deal but it is certainly interesting.

Guess who will be at the Velvet Revolver show in Philly tomorrow night?  ME!!!!!!!!

Maybe he was checking them out for Axl... I can't help to think that our redhead's interested on VR's reception while contemplating on his next move. If so, I hope Richard tells him it's nothing he should worry about ;)

Maybe they are still searching for the new lead guitarist, and Axl asked Richard to check the concert if the VR lead guitarist is as good as people say.  :hihi:

Yeah, I can imagine Axl calling him after the concert and asking 'Is that guy any good with nunchakus?'

Fortus would have been the perfect rythm guitarist in the original Guns n' Roses. take Slash and put Fortus playing with him, and you have the most impressive duet of guitarist of all time on stage.

 i dont think Fortus will get in any troubles for this.... ;D

Not a chance.... :beer:

Richard Fortus the spy moooooahahahahahahah!! Axl has something up his sleeve and it is an evil plan!!!! He was scouting Dave Kushner :hihi:

Alright there, buddy...
(http://www.gifs.net/animate/drunk.gif)

I really don't see the big deal.He lives in New York and wanted to check it ou.Maybe he was seeing what the new G&R had to compete with.

i think if axl wanted to check out vr he'd get a boot... which he might have already... and i think fortus was there to see a kickass rock n' roll show, thats it... and i don't think axl nor slash nor anyone gives a shit.. 8)

Nicley said

Richard was there and I do believe he was trying to convince Slash and Duff that's he's more like Izzy than that bald guy they have now and he's in need of a job so help him out. :hihi:  oh yeah and did anyone else think that Chris Pittman was escorting people to their seats last night as an usher.......maybe just me :peace:

Ugh. This means absolutely nothing. Richard just went to a rock concert, big deal...

id say nsync fortus was there takin notes on how a GNR guitarist performs,looks and plays

i bet he was in awe watching the greatest guitarist ever SLASH!

i wonder if axl will throw his ass out now?

i look at nsync fortus as probably more of a touring guitarist and maybe not a songwriter recording guitarist

 :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

fuckin priceless!!!!! great one!!!!!

HA ! I never saw that coming!

Richard defiantly doesnt need any pointers on how to perform. He has awesome stage presence, and is into every song he plays. Plus, he dresses the coolest out of Tommy, Robin, Brain, and Pittman.  Also, I'm sure Richard knows how to write music, or else Axl wouln't have him in the band. He is so fuckin awesome. Richard Rules!!!!!!!

how do U think... I think this VR lead guitarist would be a good guitarits in GNR  :hihi:

What's wrong with Fortus? When you compare him to Izzy, I don't think he's that different.. Besides, Izzy was always pretty passive onstage, mostly just standing and playing the guitar. So is that how a GNR guitarist performs?

 :rant:

U base this wild praise on what?

His efforts with Justin Timberlake weren't THAT impresive

Maybe it was work in Love Spit Love or Psychedlic Furs...?  Actually, Fortus has more to be a fan of than Robin Finck...

Which makes me wonder - you always call people out for being VR fans/Fortus fans when they have little-to-no work, yet, and correct me if Im wrong, youre a new GNR fan.  Now unless youve heard some album that I havent, new GNR is in the same position as any of these artists - very little original material, all of it being bootlegged.  And now they dont even have their star guitarist.  So are you still a fan?

I personally like Fortus.  The guy is fun to watch...Not sure what he has to offer in terms of their original material, but I like what Ive seen so far.

Last time I tried with words, now here's a pic for you:

(http://michaelj.primenova.com/capt3.jpg)

(http://nicolas.keser.free.fr/MSG/new1.jpg)

happy?

Ohh pictures!

If u can't see the difference between Michael Jackson one of the greatest and most talented musicians of all time and a manufactured boy band then i really have to wonder......

You were obviously so impressed that you had to include them in your quote.. we already saw 'em once, thank you.


It's a question of credibility, and if you think Jacko is more credible than Justin Timberlake, then I really have to wonder...............

WHat the fuck does those pictures mean??
Obviously you don?t know the diference between a hired musician who is payed for playing in a tour (Fortus), and an amazing,famus guitarist wich plays with a diferent style artist just some time (SLASH).
I?m not bashing Fortus  but, man, how do you dare to say Slash  does the same that Fortus.Besides I prefer Michael Jackson to Justin Timberlake.
Returning to the topic: That news don?t move a single hair of mine....He wen?t  to a concert, big deal.
Can?t you face the posibility that he might like Slash or Duff playing or Scotts singing and wanted to dee them??




Baby Slash//

Friendly ain't u?

So ur point is that Nysnc Fortus and Slash are both men of zero integrity who will play for anyone with money?

If u want to think that then sure.....

I think his performances with Jackson have been a success.  When ever i have seen him come on stage at a Jackson gig they (the crowd) go fucking nuts.  

I mean private lives aside: I'm not a big Jackson fan but you're implying it's an embarasing thing.  Well i see it as such a huge compliment to Slash. Jackson loves icons and sees Slash as the iconic guitarist of our time.  I won't argue with that. And he always looks so cool when he runs onstage and does what he does.  

Infact I'll even stick up for Fortus on a pure musician level it's a fucking hard slog.  Loads of musician do session work, it's nothing to be ashamed of, they do it to get by to earn a bit of cash, nothing wrong with that.    

I don't see it that way, I'm just sticking up for Fortus a bit. If you're going to bash him for playing with Nsync (and even moreso, childishly call him 'Nsync Fortus') you should face the fact that Slash has done some similar stuff as well.

I can't believe some of you had to turn a thread about Richard going to see VR into a thread about him playing with Nsync. How original!

Did you guys run out of things to say again?

Hey, maybe we could talk about Kurt Cobain again?

Look up the meaning of being a session musician.  : ok:

I bet you hate Josh Freese too because it looks like he appears on albums by Anastacia and Avril Lavigne.  :P


/jarmo

I dont give a fuck about Fortus' session work, its all fine with me...but if you dont see the difference between N'Sync/Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, then its I who has to wonder....



Agreed...

OK... Richard Fortus lives in New York.
VR did a show on New York.
That site said he was there.

Everybody?s assuming that as the truth.

but... wait a minute!?

That?s possible? YES... That?s probable? NO (in my opinion).

Who actually saw him? Where?s the proof of it? I want a photo!!

Ain't that something, now we're all just sitting here wondering.

The last time Slash played with Jacko was Michael's 30th anniversary party in September 2001. By that time Jackson had become quite a joke, and I can't understand why Slash got involved with the whole thing.

Thing is; despite the way some people on this board approach music.  Not all do.  Some people judge by hearing and seeing bands for themsleves.

Some people, including musicians  (funnily enough - would you Adam and Eve it? ), actually like music and go to gigs and make up their own opinions about the band without preconceptions or feeling obliged to take sides.  And i have to say it's much more enjoyable that way.

I actually like Anastacia for some reason and Avril Lavigne rocks (well a bit)

My problem is surprisngly not that Fortus played with Nysnc

The reality is it only slighty bothers me

The thing that DOES bother me is the hero worship he gets - and for what, he's yet to record anything with GNR we have actually heard - he joined the band after all the new songs had been played live

Everyday i read how he's the greatest guitar legend yet and how he will revolutionise GNR, how he is the definition of 'rock n' roll'

I just try and maintain an equilibrium of sorts + u got to admit its funny how people react when u mention the word Nysnc, are people so insecure over his ability that even the slightest light hearted remark sets them off?

anyway on topic

I think its great we have heard Richard is okay - its been ages since we heard from him, its good to see he isn't blindly following Axl in his determination to have nothing to do with Ex members

He probably realized it would be a helluva show.

The only reason GnR fans like R. Fortus is because he looks like Izzy.  WOW!!   He has the look..  but thats where it stops for him.  


PEACE

Avril Lavigne rocks?  Youre really all over the map...Dissing Fortus (a member of your favorite band - the one with no album) for doing session gigs with pop stars and praising Avril Lavigne.  :confused:


Really?  By calling "N'Sync Fortus" everytime you post about him, you could have fooled me.


Backpeddling...


Hero worship?  Were still talking about Richard Fortus here, right?


 ???

No you dont?  Aside from "rocktar81" and the guy in this thread (whos probably "rocktar81"), who has made such statements about Fortus.  The general sentiment is that hes a good, entertaining guitarist...Feel free to post a few examples of this overwhelming praise he recieves to set me straight...


Hows it light-hearted when you incessantly call him by that name and have challenged his "musical integrity" on here several times?

Speaking of equilbrium, the jurys still out on how somebody can be a new GNR fan and question fans of other bands with no album and little material, huh?


...Or its because the guy is a good performer?  Unless hes a terrible guitarist who fucks up all his parts and Im unaware of it?

i agree fortus looks cool onstage

but when he writes SCOM,wttj,NR,estranged solos and the countless others slash has then u people are allowed to mention  his name in the same breath as the guitar icon of our times

it is an insult and totally ignorant to even compare anything about richard fortus to Slash

lol.... :rofl:

If Fortus was chosed to play on an album with Nsync (one that sold quite a bit and was higly anticipated) he MUST be a damn good guitar player.... his name is only on the liner notes .. there were prob 500,000 guitar players who wanted that gig... GnR fans should be happy that he was chosen for his guitar playing on that album... not his looks, not his "coolnes" ..

bottom line Richard is a bad ass and damn fine axe man..

if you want to talk about uncool just look at Axl's assless chaps... thats fucking worse to me than playing guitar on a multi platinum album and getting nothing but your name in the liner notes....

Who cares if he went to see VR,I mean he probably likes good music.I don't care what he's played on,it doesn't make a difference.So stop bitching about it,god this thread is stupid ::)

Sal (AxlD) put up his report at the bar from his conversation with Richard. Seems like there will be nothing going on til at least october, as axl has 'legalities' to sort out. Buckethead may not be out or in, it sounds still up in the air, and richard has no acess to any of the show tapes that GnR played.
Go check it out. Good stuff.

here is what Sal said.
I hope he does not mind


We had a nice conversation. It wasnt me just pounding him with questions. We had a nice conversation and I was able to ask him the questions very natural.

I asked him if the album was done -he said it was all done and now "Axl is just going through all the legalities." Richard said nothing will probably happen (regarding single/album release/tour) until October.

I asked him about Buckethead and his response was that "no one really knows what is going on with Bucket." He said he was/is strange in a lot of ways -a lot of good ways and some bad. He said it is real hard sometimes to figure out what is on his mind.
I didnt ask him about a replacement, but from what he said and how we left that topic off, there may be a chance Buckethead will come back.

We talked about the MSG show and he said he got the DVD sent to him by a fan (SlashisGod) and that he really enjoyed it. I pointed out that all the shows were being filmed professionally and asked why he couldnt get a pro-shot copy and he laughed and said "all that stuff is in the vaults." I talked to him about the first Vegas show and how amazing that was and that Axl needs to release that show on DVD. Fortus said he has only heard the great things about it and would love to see it himself. I joked with him to ask Axl to hook him up with a screening.
He said the MSG show was amazing to play and we talked a bit about how unfortunate it was that it turned out to the last gig of the tour -just when the band really seemed to be hitting their groove live. I didnt ask him exactly what happened in Philly, but he did mention meeting someone earlier in the night who was at Philly and wanted him to sign his ticket stub. Fortus said he kindly refused -he felt ackward doing that. I told him about Vancouver and showed him my ticket stub. He said "Oh man I am so sorry." We talked about Vancouver for a bit.

I asked about the rest of the members of the band and how their spirits were. He said everyone else was doing well and were in good spirits considering what had happened in the past two months with Bhead's departure and the canceled appearance at Lisbon. He said everyone was really looking forward to playing the show, and were really disappointed they had to cancel -especially RObin.
We talked about RObin's web site for a bit and Richard really loves it.

Richard said he (Richard) may be playing some solo shows this summer and Brain may join him for a few gigs. I assume from that statement that Brain is still in the band.
He talked about Tommy releasing an album this summer as well.

I finally asked him if he was at the VR show to go back and report to Axl. He laughed and said "I dont think he would want to hear about it." He said he had not spoken to Axl in a couple of months. I mentioned Duff and Slash's lawsuit and how I didnt agree with that, and he said "Yeah that is strange" but didnt talk much more about it. I told him I was the one who called in to Howard Stern to defend Axl and he said "that's cool man, I'm sure he appreciates that."  

We talked some more about the VR show and he really enjoyed it.
I then thanked him for his time and told him it was great to meet him. I took a pic with him and shook his hand goodbye. He left with his girlfriend and I wonder if Slash and Duff would have showed up to the after show if he would have spoken to them. I dont think Slash would know who he was -cause apparently he never saw the MTV performance.  
Duff would most likely have recognized him. Not sure what they would have had to say to each other though. But it would have been interesting.

Anyway, Richard is such a sweet and down to earth guy. What a pleasure to meet and talk with him. I told him I really hope to see him in October or by the end of the year with G N' R...either in New York or from what he told me earlier....somewhere else familiar

Well that makes me feel good. Richard hasn't talked to Axl in months, what a tight cohesive band :no:. Also, nothing until October....great, it really takes another 5 months to do something with an album that has been finished for years already. Hearing him say things may start up then makes me feel as good as Dizzy saying it will be out soon everytime someone talks to him.....The guys just have no clue what is going on in their own band. This is 100% Axl's show, which is a bad thing because left up to him things never get done. At least in the old band the guys had the authority to prod him along, now no one wants to cross the boss. If I'm not mistaken Richard has in the past mentioned something about starting up a previous time and he had no clue, so I will not hold my breath. This is getting depressing as I would love to be able to get excited about GNR the same way I am excited about VR, they just never give me anything to get excited about :crying:

Why should I care about that talk with Fortus? I mean there have been other interviews and run ins with other members. They have also pointed to certain times of the year, or certain months and nothing happened.

It's nice to read. Just like fiction.

Fortus sounds like a nice guy.  I must imagine all of this waiting and not knowing what is going on must be frustrating for the members of Axl's band.  Glad to hear he enjoyed the show.

Las Vegas babaay!!!!  lol

I betcha he cant wait to get CHI DEM out know :hihi:

i wounder what was goin' through his head

maybe... "hmmm, why didn't Buckethead get such a response from crowd as Slash does"  :hihi: or "hmm Axl should take a private singing lessons from this Weiland"  :hihi:

velvet revolver sucks,   axl doesnt need leesons from weiland on anything unless he wants to become a loser.. and btw---- whats with the gay dances in the vr slither video... weiland needs some dancing lessons from axl

also... richard fortus does sound like a cool guy but why would he go watch a shit band like Snakepit, uh i mean bluesball, or is it VR?  same shit different stench


Mod's Edit: WTF are you putting this here for? Your post makes no sense and has no relevance whatsoever.

Please refrain from mere mud-slinging, rather try to post something that actually contributes to the topic at hand.

People, I implore you to ignore this post.

Oh ... and VR does not suck ... so  :P.

I sure am glad this turns up. It puts a bit more value to my thoughts and ideas on this matter. For those who are interested, check the topic 'to put a letter in the bucket' in the Ex-Gunners section. It may give you some new thoughts on it as well.
I hope to read some interesting replies!

Have a good weekend everybody!

Best regards,


N ! 3 |(

PS 2 the 'sharp ones' among us: I'm not looking for an ego-trip or something. Thanks.

who is richard fortus ?  ::) ;D

" not spoken to axl in months "  : ok:

If I have said it once, I've said it a million times. Leave the guys in the band alone! They have done their job, as a band, they have recorded a ton of music for that psychopath and left it to him, the boss and singer to finish. The band is tight, excluding the recluse. HE is the one that won't release anything. It is well known that the music for the album (and probably) albums was done in the spring of 2003...confirmed by atleast 4 members on different occasions. Axl is the boss and is responsible for getting the tracks mixed and the vocals put on. We will be lucky to get this album by x-mas. :rant:

I think the legalities have to do with having BHs parts on the album if he is no longer in the band and what BH gets for rotyalies esp since BH broke his contract with the  band

Dave, the legalties could be the mess he is in with Slash. It may spill in to his use of the Gnr name in the future-doubtful, but possible. He also could be negotiating with Geffen about other music recorded, besides Chinese, and who owns the rights to the potential 2nd and 3rd albums. Axl will say he only owes Geffen Chinese and the rest is his and Geffen will obviously say it is all their's. I have a feeling Bucket will be back in the mix by the time all this gets straightened out. Richard sounded like the door was not closed. Axl is negotiating on 3 fronts in my opinion-Bucket, Geffen, and Slash/Duff. ps this assumes Chinese fulfills Gnr's original contract with Geffen.

What've you been smokin'? I want some!  :rofl:

Fortus can hold his own on the rhythm front, and isn't a bad lead player, but the fact is...I very much doubt he's of the same calibre as Izzy on the songwriting front. To add to that, he's basically playing what Izzy used to- there's no new input there...it's Axl giving him a songsheet.

Above all, we'd have missed the songs and chord progressions that made GN'R great.

There are two gnrs.
the post 96 one where slash and duff left and the pre 96 one where slash and duff have a say in the music.

slash and duff dont have a say in CD but they do in everything before it from GH to AFD

I don't believe this richard fortus meeting, or at least I wont until I see the picture.

Why would anyone take their new-gnr ticket stubs to a vr show?

That makes a lot of sense to me.  Axl Rose is going to have to deal with this lawsuit filed by Slash and Duff McKagan.  Axl said himself that there are still issues to be worked out with Buckethead.  I wouldn't be surprised one bit if a split between Guns N' Roses and Geffen was being negotiated given the acrimony surrounding the new album not being released, and the release of the Greatest Hits record.

Ali

First off Sal does not lie and 2nd people keep their ticket stubs in their wallet, I know I still have my new gnr one in my wallet.

I'll also vouch for Sal's credibility.  I met the guy in Vegas at the Hard Rock shows, and he's an incredible person.  I believe at the time he was an intern on the Howard Stern show.  I know he has some connections in NYC to the music scene.  BTW he has the UYI 1 album cover tattoo on his arm, and it's the best GNR tattoo I have seen.

Well he must be telling the truth then :hihi:

I'd bet his testimony would hold up in court because of that.  :rofl:

I also  think the legalities being refferred to have more to do with BH's parts on the album and royalties. The Slash/Duff suit is something that goes towards back material usage, and while it could concievably cost Axl some money down the line, it has little to do with his current material (or non-material) and can probably be worked out strictly with the lawyers...the BH fiasco certainly does have everything to do with the new material, and I'm sure directly involves Axl. I hope they hash it out and Mr. Head comes back into the fold, but who the fuck knows. :drool:
Also to say this band isn't close is not neccasrily true...all the guys except Axl seem to have good relationships with on another, guesting on each others side projects and whatnot. But they aren't in control of the project itself and they know it, so they just do what they can to please their creative urges, no big deal.

it's pathetic how that dumb fuck scott weiland is trying to be the next axl rose now. look at the pictures from the show, it's disguisting. almost imitating him. this un-talented drug addict should have stayed in fucking rehab.

I completely disagree with everything you said. You should download the video and watch it if you think Weiland is trying to imitate Axl!

Uhm yeah right we all know how Axl Rose invented the leather pants look and the leather hat. Hmm forget that Halford or Alice Cooper or many others were using that look before than.  You're obviously not the smartest apple on the tree as your'e not even in the same ballpark to what everyone else is talking about in this thread.  Stop being a dumbass and use your head.

Agreed! People make something outta nuthin

You too!

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=6


/jarmo

haha, Whatever dude. Scott is his own guy. I don't understand why you would come here just to bash?

because i can't stand this junkie who by the way is completely stripped of talent.

That's just such a dumb statement, although you do keep some credability for  not saying a homo junkie, as i have noticed from some others....you wouldn't belive it was 2004 would you eh?

I mean being a junkie is nothing to be proud of. But at least he has lived and experienced life you know?  To use someones illness as a damning statement about them, is just a tad shallow. Everybody knows that most rock stars dabble with intoxications and always have so why is he any different?

And you know everybody's tastes are different, so each to their own.  But i don't believe you have really listened to any of his work and not found talent there.  You don't have to like the artist to realise the talent.