How has Axl Rose (& GNR) changed your life?

[bodine]

I don't think that this is so much how he's changed my life as it is how I've been able to relate to his lyrics and "lose myself" in the music.? In my opinion, he's not only among the elite all-time vocalists, but also a brilliant songwriter/lyracist.? When the situations have warranted it, I've always been able to sedate myself from things going on in my life through GN'R.? Not that life's totally depressing or anything? I'm just sayin' I could always absorb myself in the music and lyrics.? That said, I'm very excited? from what I've heard so far!? The Blues in particular feels very "profound".? The message comes through to me very strong in a way I haven't felt about music since the Illusions came out!? I for one am looking forward to being 'affected' by GN'R all over again!!!

[Butch Français]

they've taken my idea of waiting to a whole new level time and time again!

[Vicious Wishes]

Axl forgot to flush, so I put the shit in a jar full of water, sold it on Ebay and was then able to pay my rent long enough to find a decent job.

So you're the one that changed my life! I gotta say that jar's been a topic of discussion ever since it's been on my mantle. Best $12.50 I've ever spent.

[GnR-NOW]

I can't really say GNR changed my life.  But by going to the shows, it has added to my most favorite memories

[Kaleigh]

Rock and Roll (and in specific GNR) taught me that sometimes it's okay to say "Fuck the world." Sometimes you just gotta be yourself. After AFD, I totally embraced that philosophy. I embraced my own fucked up view of the world, whether or not anyone would get it. In doing so, I got into the arts as a form of self expression. Then I found out I was good at it. And because of that, I've had the chance to do some really cool things with my life.

So thanks Axl -- from one small town white boy to another.  You're capable of such amazing things!  We can't wait to see what you've got in store for us next.

  I love those last two paragraphs!  They really ring true, don't they?   I first discovered GNR while listening to a local rock station, and they'd play Knockin' On Heaven's Door quite a bit.  Being a huge Bon Jovi fan at that point, I always thought "Dude, that guy sounds like a messed up Jon Bon Jovi!"  I discovered Sweet Child O' Mine with a friend, and we both loved it, though we were kinda scared of Welcome to the Jungle.  (We were 15, that's my excuse!) 

The night before a two-week vacation, I burnt myself a CD of assorted songs.  I downloaded Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City, which I already knew pretty well, but I also went for My Michelle, something I hadn't heard.   I liked the song right away.  A few months later, I purchased their Greatest Hits, and basically gushed all over it.  AFD came into my possession, and my brain exploded at how great every song was.  What really had turned me into a superfan was after I purchased Welcome to the Videos.  We kicked back after my dad's birthday party in 2005, and watched every single video on there.  As it progressed, I found myself loving the band even more, and I remember having trouble sleeping that night because of how excited I had gotten over it.   Every other album and DVD was purchased after that, and I've been a volcano of GNR related things ever since. 

But how have they affected me?  I've been able to put emotions away into some songs, which has been highly therapeutic for me.  They're also the highest influence in pursuing a career in music, since they've provided so much for me.