Who would Axl choose...Beatles or Stones?

[sandman]

I get into a discussion (i.e. argument) with a group of friends about once a year regarding who is the better band. Even though we all know its just a matter of opinion and personal taste, we still end up treating it like there is actually a right answer. it's usually when we get together in the summer and drink all day on the beach while listening to music for hours.

so anyway, since i'm the "gnr die-hard" of our group of friends, my one buddy asked me "who would Axl say he likes more and who was a bigger influence on him?" the question really kinda stumpted me. i thought about it for a while and i said i wouldn't be surprised if he falls into that rare category of people who are right in the middle....too close to call one over the other.

so my questions for anyone that cares to share their opinion are as follows:

1) who do you think Axl would choose?
2) do we have any quotes from Axl over the years that may shed some light on this? 

[big_machine]

AXL -----BEATLES !!!


IZZY ---- STONES !

[faldor]

Yeah, I'd say Axl himself would lean more towards the Beatles.  More of an experimental group than the Stones, more straight ahead blues based rock.  OTHER members of GNR through the years, Izzy, Gilby, etc. seemed to certainly be more into the Stones.

[Axl Z]

I'd think Beatles, Axl has covered both bands thou! 

[Gunner80]

Both.  Axl with Mick duet on Salt of the Earth was amazing.

[LIGuns]

Both.  Axl with Mick duet on Salt of the Earth was amazing.

Actually it's Keith, Mick than Axl..The voices kept getting better!!

[HBK]

AXL -----BEATLES !!!


IZZY ---- STONES !

Guns N' Roses = The Beatles Stones

 

[rebelhipi]

i would say stones iknow that axl took loads of influence regardin his career in the 89 stones tour when he was around
plus i think he has more influence from mick than from lennon/mccartney
but again i dont know

[Axl4Prez2004]

This one's easy...

c:  all of the above.   

[snead hearn]

Beatles-ONLY from Let It Be or Abbey Road.

Stones-ONLY from Beggars Banquet to Some Girls.

Neither the early years for each. Or the later years for the Stones.

I'd say Axl is more Beatles than Stones. He's a vocalist. Beatles were always more about a decent riff and GREAT vocals/lyrics/etc.

The Stones were always a RIFF. That's what they call Keef, the Human Riff. It's him before Jagger does any kind of lyric.

[D]

Younger Axl Stones

Present Axl Beatles.

[sandman]

Yeah, I'd say Axl himself would lean more towards the Beatles.  More of an experimental group than the Stones, more straight ahead blues based rock.  OTHER members of GNR through the years, Izzy, Gilby, etc. seemed to certainly be more into the Stones.

that's a good point. axl loves writing and creating music and trying new things. not that the stones weren't great writers who took their craft seriously, but Axl's approach and evolution over the years reminds me more of the path the beatles took.

but GnR's sound, attitude, and live shows are more comparable to the Stones than the Beatles. 

[willow]

Both.  Axl with Mick duet on Salt of the Earth was amazing.

Actually it's Keith, Mick than Axl..The voices kept getting better!!

I will never forget that. Axl and Izzy had to teach Mick and Keith the song. lol

[LongGoneDay]

I know Axl is a fan of both, but I had always assumed the heavy stones influenced sound came from Slash and Izzy's playing.
With both of them gone, I don't hear any trace of Stones on Chinese Democracy or Oh My God. Could be totally wrong though.
It would be cool to hear more about who wrote specific parts of different songs.

Maybe Beatles as they were more experimental like others have pointed out.

I would like to think the Stones though, as I prefer them over Beatles, and most everyone else for that matter.

[stvyrayvhn]

Stones

[rebelhipi]

axl has done from the stones
salt of the earth, wild horses, dead flowers and sympathy for the devil

and from the beatles i think only come together (not counting lucy)

[rebelhipi]

uh  i forgot jumpin jack flashy

[LongGoneDay]

they did mccartney's live and let die and when Slash was on board, they'd play lennon's imagine medley during patience, which was pretty f'n great.

Beatles and Stones were both great studio bands, but the consensus I've gotten is that if you wanted to see the greatest rock n roll show around you went to see the stones. I obviously wasn't lucky enough to be alive to witness either in their prime, but I've heard quite a few people say Beatles were boring live.

[faldor]

axl has done from the stones
salt of the earth, wild horses, dead flowers and sympathy for the devil

and from the beatles i think only come together (not counting lucy)

All of those songs were played with previous lineups though.  Not that Axl wasn't a fan himself, but I think the Stones influence came more from the many guitarists in GNR's roster (namely Izzy and Gilby).

"Back In The F'ing UK" was played a few years back in London.  They did play 'Sway" and "You Gotta Move" as well, but those were with Izzy.