Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Holy Shit.  I'm at lunch at PJ Clarkes in midtown Manhattan with my boss and another co-worker.  And then in walks Axl.  Unbelievable.  I would have loved to walk over and do the whole "hey, I'm a huge fan" but was too embarassed to do so in front of my boss.  Also, NYC etiquette requires me to ignore celebs / rock stars.

He made no attempt whatsoever to disguise himself; he walked in with shades and then took them off when he sat down.  He was with about 4 other people, none of whom I can identify as Merck or a band member.  He was drinking a beer and seemed to talk mostly to a bald, Moby-looking guy (but it was not Moby). 

I know he's been around town for several months now, so I know this shouldn't be a big deal.  But I thought it was really cool.

really cool. thanks for sharing.

Cool... maybe he was at lunch with gunsnroses.com webmaster (I always imagined him as bald guy  :P) dicussing latest issues before the site launches? :hihi:

That's awesome.... cool you didn't invade his privacy either. ?:peace:

I don't know what I would have done in that situation, I might have ordered the table a round of drinks and told the waitress to tell him "the gentleman over there would like to order your table a round of drinks and is anxiously awaiting the release of Chinese Democracy, he wanted to thank you for all the great music you've made over the years."

Which would have at least gave him some encouragement while leaving the door open for him to maybe wave you over or come up to you to thank you.

thanks georgesteel....good stuff...it is too bad you didn't talk to him....you're gonna regret that if you don't already :-[

I'd have bought him a drink ;)

How did he look, since you have seen him in person can we forget about people saying he's fat. I mean we have the pictures, but people still seem to say he's fat anyway.

You lucky bastard ? :hihi:

I would of said hello or asked him if I could take a photo though if I had seen him.

cool post,atleast you didn't bother him like some idiots would have  : ok:

He's not remotely fat. ?For 44 years old, he looks great. ?

Mr. I - that's exactly what I was thinking, but again I felt very inhibited in front of my boss. ?Would have been awkward to say to the waitress, hey my boss is paying for lunch and all but send that table a round of drinks and put the bill on a separate check so I can pay it. ?Then I'd have to get into it with my boss about who Axl is and blah, blah, blah... ?Of course I wish I could have done something but you know what, just seeing him eating comfortably and all was cool.

man, i'm at work on 57th and 5th... not to far from there. kinda creepy.

yeah...you coulda just told your boss that he is the reason you never get anything done at work, cuz you are too busy on this site :hihi:

Your boss wouldn't know who Axl Rose is?

fuck my boss and NYC ettiquite.. if i would have seen him i would have ordered him a beer..... you should have at least taken a picture with your camera phone.... you saw him there today??? damn...

haha - I was actually going to go there right now.  But it's like 6 long blocks from where I'm working.  Damn!!

you work on 57th and 5th? ?Im usually on 53rd and 3rd...Standin on the street, ?

Yeah, if I ever met Axl I'd just buy him a drink of his choice and just inquire about his favorite musical acts, who he really likes today that is out there making music, and what are his long term plans after the release of Chinese Democracy, like does he want to do another album, maybe try producing bands, etc....

Hey...

Go here:

http://www.sterlingsound.com/

Get into the site, proper, and take a gander around...see if you recognize any of them as being with Axl.

And look around here:

http://www.johnkalodner.com/CoryBrennan1003.html

That rocks man, when you mentioned PJ Clarkes , my heart dropped, but then I saw Midtown.lol I work at a restuarant in  Battery Park, at the world finacial center. There is a PJ Clarkes there also. Im not workin till 5pm today. ANd I almost was like FUCK.lol BUT you were at the origional location.

Really cool though. Thanks for sharing.

how long ago was that? If i call the resturant and ask to speak to him i wonder if hes still there...

That would have been the worst thing he could have done is snap a pic like that.. tottaly disrespectful.

Just today; I wrote my post as soon as I got back from lunch. ?What can I say, that's just how it is in New York. ?Not one single person approached him.

And no, I seriously doubt my boss would know him. ?

thats awsome...

the wireless in the city is great, no??

thats crazy!! i was just in midtown coming home from school...i understand not wanting to go up to him, that was cool of u to respect his privacy, im sure that stuff can get annoying

he wouldn't have understood if you said he's like a childhood idol of mine? that's kinda shitty :-\

maybe that's why he likes it in NYC? who knows, awesome story though man! : ok:

Maybe he would have; I just didn't want to take the chance of him being judgmental and all. ?More importantly, I didn't want to give him any reason to go back and check my web browser history. : ok:

Good story and funny because when I get to New York Monday morning the 15th, that is where I am going to go to lunch before going to the pre party! Cool place. I've been there a few times. Axl has good taste. ;D :beer:

you think hes still there? i might take a second lunch and walk over (im on 37th and 7) lol

i read some time ago the story behind that song, and if i am not wrong 53rd and 3rd was like a "gay place"
where dee dee worked to get some money in the beggining of the ramones

so dont be santding there  :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Was Lohan/Kravitz/John5 there?

Cool story. Sucks you didn't meet him. I'd go up and try and say whats up. Never know when you will get the chance to meet someone like that.

Nah, it's better to respect their privacy. If it was after a show or event, I think it would be ok to say hello; but if he is simply eating his lunch, let the man be.

When he just walked in I wouldn't disturb him but when he was on his way out I would of talked to him or at least a brief hello.

It's not often you get to be that close to someone like that especially someone as reclusive as Axl, I wouldn't of missed my once in a life time to talk to him.

I would go with Mr. Intenisty's idea. I would have ordered them some drinks and then if he wanted to acknowledge me, then it would be cool to talk to him. But if he was eating his lunch I would just leave him alone.

The approach him / respect his privacy debate is valid on both sides. ?The thing is, I have now seen both Slash and Axl (my Slash story is the GNR highlights thread). ?With Slash, I was very drunk that night and somewhat aggressive in approaching him (to put it mildly). ?It's a very funny story, but I do regret being so aggressive because it's unlike me. ?So that experience was in the back of my mind when I saw Axl.

Cool story.

If anyone believes this Glenn dude, then George did the right thing to respect Axl:

Glenn says on 1/May/06
Gekko-its the same braids as 2002.dont know if its real or not. Bart-the whole Axl thing is a mystery again.yes, he admitted to me upfront finally about the Slash visit being true.anything else I dont know about.my friends and I havnt seen him in 2 months,despite him being here still for 3 months.I think he is hiding in someones loft.autograph dealers and photographers finally pissed him off.I gave him his space.

http://www.celebheights.com/s/Axl-Rose-1189.html

i hate england i wana live over there

usa rules

Were you working there on 9/11???  Whats it like in that area now since then??

he can move to katmandou, he'll be easy too.

Fuckin' awesome.

Like Mr. Intensity said though, I would have at least bought him a few drinks... : ok:

& maybe a steak, because...ya know Axl sure likes his steaks :hihi:

But if were desperate enough for some more pictures, we could lift some stills from the restaurant's security cameras :yes:

If I were you...
...screw my boss! I'm gonna have a word with Axl.

easy for you to say  ::)  :P

Anybody think the bald guy might be Billy Howerdel from a Perfect Circle? I know I brought this up last week as a possible rumored guitarist, but if you have ever seen him, he is bald and very Moby looking. Just a thought, I could be way off.

I was thinking that too.

Actually thats one of the first ppl that came to mind when the poster said that Axl was talking to a 'bald' guy a lot. Its all because of the 3rd guitarist threads lol.

I had a chance to meet Axl in 2001.... damn you stupid RnT!!! ?:rant:

yeah... and then axl would have yelled to the owner... "THAT GUY, with the phone... he's outta here!  alright, youre not gonna do anything?"  then, he would have walked over to you, grabbed your phone out of your hand, put it in his pocket, and knocked you and your bosses heads together, grabbed your drink, and then went back to his table with it and enjoyed his lunch (and your beverage), while you and your boss got tossed out of the restaraunt like a couple of chumps.  uncle axl dont play...

(http://www.dagor.konin.lm.pl/apc/galeria/billy/billy03.jpg)


If it was that man let even more 3rd guitarest rumors swirl now!!! :hihi:

 :rofl:
great one

I know everyone has beat the third guitarist theory to death, but it would make the most sense.

Was this the man? lol

(http://www.chartattack.com/pics/2000/juldec/summersaultfanfest/apc2.jpg)

wow that guy belongs on broadway or something

Was this the bald guy Axl was with  :o :o :o

(http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/9030/drevilonemiliiondollars2xk.jpg)

That would be better than winning the lotto..... I could say i got my ass kicked by Axl then settle out of court with some front row tickets!!!!!!!!

:rofl:

Cool that you were respectful of his privacy.

LOFL! ?:hihi: :rofl: :hihi:

Awesome man!

The closest I've ever got was to watching his limo arrive and then leave the airport, I was in a car...too bad we didn't stop.

then he would sit you front row, put the spotlight on you, then say into the mic, "this motherfucker right here sued me for these tickets cuz i whooped his ass at a restaraunt! ?fucking pussy!" ?then he would go into welcome to the jungle, all the rowdy concert goers would give you the most savage beating of your life, and then when it was all over, axl would yell, "security! ?hey, little security man! ?that guy, RIGHT THERE! ?he's outta here!" ?and then, finally, to add insult to injury (metaphorically and literally), two security men would grab you up, one by the arms, the other by the feet, kick open the side door, a 1,2,3, and a heave ho, you would go, into the alley, into some garbage cans, and they would slam the door shut, and then slap their hands together as a gesture of a job well done.

aren't you sure it was minime he was with lol.

:(  My company just moved offices to midtown right near PJs....but we had no internet till about an hour ago, too bad I didn't see this post till just now, I would have totally parked my ass outside and "accidentally" seen him and at the very least said hi and how I'm looking forward to the 12th!!!

(http://images.music.com/images/dmc/person/joe_satriani/1/images/bio.jpg)

Could it be Satriani?

Now that would be cool.

*EDIT* Never mind, Joes on tour.  Would still be cool though.

Thanks for the update - must have been pretty surreal

That would be even better... I would like to live in Malibu on Latigo Canyon Rd....

Dude I was thinking the same thing!  I work in the WFC, South Tower and go to PJ Clarke's once every couple weeks.

I think my heart would stop if I ran into Axl.  Definitely would at least wait for him to leave the restaurant and then let him know how much I'm looking forward to seeing the shows at Hammerstein!

Thats aweomse you saw Axl man, and kudos on being a good NYer and giving him space...plus, what if he was pissed or angry or something and was like "fuck off, i'm eating." You don't want that.

shit, only famous person i ever passed in NY was Gilbert Godfried

the bald dude was mysteron :P

How did you explain to your boss that you were staring at a dude all during lunch? haha

I'm 99.9% sure the bald guy was the new guitarist and his stage presence is awesome










? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/izzishad/georgesteel.jpg)

maybe that's why he likes it in NYC? who knows, awesome story though man! : ok:

Didn?t Lennon said he loved living in NYC because he could walk everywhere and people wouldn?t bug him? (Except for that guy that shot him to death)

Crazy town.

So, on to the important details, what was he wearing?

i hope nothing LOL !

SOOOOO jealous!!!  I work at 58th & 3rd, & we walk by PJ Clarke's like 3 times a week on the way to lunch.  Of all the days to eat lunch at my desk....   :-\

So Joe Satriani is the third guitarist?   :o  :smoking:

If that were true, I could dig it  :smoking:

FOrtunatly I wasnt scheduled to be at work till noon on 9/11 so I wasnt directly there. BUt now there is alot of stuff goin on, they started work on the Freedom tower. alot of new deveopment happening, tribeca nearby has a happpening nightlife again. Its cool

The bald man was Howie Mandell.  Deal or no Deal  Axl??

cool story, I would have most likely said hello though.. You're talking about a man you sit and worship at a forum all the time, someone who's singing that is a constant part of your life ,someone you will see in concert,.. Celebrities have to expect this, and they should be glad people cared especially when that famous person isn't big right now..  That's just me though

Billy Howerdel is bald : ok:

(http://www.mtv.com/news/images/archive/A_Perfect_Circle/sq-perfect-billy-grey-t-vir.jpg)


*Edit: lol i see many people have already posted pics of him :hihi: :peace: sorry...

I'm fairly sure its Dr. Phill...  :hihi:

That bald moby-ish person was Del James

How long has Del James been bald? From what I've seen of him he's had long black hair and a small beard.



And why is everyone assuming it's a famous person, it could just be some average joe Axl is friends with.

I dont know how long but atleast for awhile because its male pattern baldness, that usually takes awhile. 

Well a few of us were speculation on Howerdel returning to GnR after APC broke up since he used to be a sound engineer for Axl...it just so happens he's a famous guitarist now too.

But you are right....it could be anyone :peace: but I'd imagine that it is someone helping him master the CD...how far away is sterling from this restaurant?

it's not in mastering yet...

it hasn't even been mixed...

it's not recorded yet, Axl has yet to finish writing all the lyrics  :hihi:

GnR = a bit of a joke

...the up coming NYC shows will let the fans experience the 4 leaked songs *played live* + the new songs played during the failed 2002 tour + some old GnR tracks. And just maybe the new GnR will test out some new tracks just to get a reaction. These tracks could be similar to Silk Worms, etc  :hihi:

I saw Del in Hartford back in '02.  He had family or friends sitting 2 rows in front of us...  He was wearing a Thin Lizzy T-shirt.

Definitely, he's lost most of his hair.  He wasn't completely bald...still hanging on to the "fringe", but even that was shaved down to a buzz (and springled with grey).

Dude, what's your problem?!?

and you got a source....or you just talking out of your ass?  :-\

For the record, I could not make out who exactly the bald guy was, as I only saw the back / side of his head (but enough to know it wasn't Moby).

It's sounds crazy, but I still even now feel an "I can't believe I fuckin saw Axl Rose" buzz.  No regrets though on not approaching him.  Not that I think there's anything at all wrong about anyone who would approach him in a friendly manner, it's just that you have to go with how you feel at the moment.  And for me personally, it just didn't feel right going up to him.

Can't wait for May 12th... both to see Guns and to hang out with you maniacs...

Did you get that italicized info from somewhere or was that made up?

looks like we got a new insider here :-X

    .   ..  ... ....it's just my prediction ;)

Wouldn't it be good if *the new* Gn'R were to play CD from start to finish, no old songs. That would be something, just for the NY shows.
 :beer:

That would have been so unreal to be eating and then see Axl at another table! I wouldn't know what to do!

i would've ordered more food for my recently vacant stomach from SHITTING MYSELF!!  :rofl:

i would have calmly and nonchalantly walked up to his table, pointed at his plate, and said, "you gonna finish that?"

Cool story... I've been on the look-out for him for months, but no luck.. probably for the best seeing as I'm sure I would do something embarassing.  I always seem to do that with musicians I admire...  actors and athletes I'm fine with... it's famous musicians that make me stupid.  :-[

he was talking to dave kushner :hihi:

God yes.. I wouldn't be able to eat!  :hihi:

It can't be in mastering yet if the vocals aren't even finished...

and you know the vocals aren't finished because......

if l see axl i won't care if am with my boss !!! but. cool  that you see him at least

Damn I wish I worked in the city right now :'(