Will there be lines at the music stores?

[jameslofton29]

I'm sure alot of people won't agree with me on this, but I believe there will be HUGE lines at the stores for this. Whatever year CD comes out, it will be one of the top 10 stories of that year. When Axl announces a release date it will be announced in all major media outlets. I believe it will even eclipse the hysteria over 'Illusions'. And for those here who were too young back then to remember it, it was a phenomenon and something I will never forget. The hysteria in the days before CD release will be a worldwide event. On the day of its release,as long as there is no major war going on, GNR will be THE top story of the day. And regardless of how good or bad the album is, I think its going to shatter records. I honestly believe CD has the potential to sell 20 to 40 million copies in its first week alone. When you factor in the millions of hardcore GNR fans worldwide,and the millions who buy CD out of curiosity, and the millions who buy it because its the 'cool thing' of the moment, it may even surpass my 20 to 40 million sales prediction. And that would make it the biggest selling album of all time. But as for how good material will be on CD...well..only AXL knows that. But to be honest, the quality of CD is irrelevant when thinking purely in terms of album sales.There is so much mystery surrounding CD it almost doesn't even matter whats on it because its gonna sell big time regardless. This is one of the reasons why i've never understood Axl's reluctance to release CD. I guess Axl definitely isn't doing it for the money,because if he was, he could've gotten MEGA rich 2 years ago.

[Thorazine Shuffle]

While I beleive that the record will be big, it will no in no way eclipse Use Your Illusion.  1.6 million in one week.  I think CD will have more of an Appetite start.  Or will be big first week, then slower, and with the tours, PR guys, singles I think it'll gain momentum as it sinks in to regular peoples heads that it is good and not just an Axl project.

[Lesty]

The only way there will be lines at music stores is if the first single is a monster
and really takes off and gets a big buzz going. I feel confident that this album will satisfy the hardcore GnR audience for the most part, but for all rock fans to want to buy it the first day (or night), will require some serious promotion and a great lead single.

[Tj]

I honestly believe CD has the potential to sell 20 to 40 million copies in its first week alone

  I wish.

I don't imagine there'll be much of a queue at all at the shop I'm gonna buy it from, but I know I'll be there as early in the morning as possible. It's inside, so I'll have to wait for the precinct to open, but I'll be there. I'll probably be the only one, but I'll be there 

[Pandora]

I believe it will even eclipse the hysteria over 'Illusions'.

I wouldn't go that far at all. Unless they have a major marketing buzz going on in the months before the release and a killer single, the sales will probably start slowly. A more likely scenario is that it could be a grower, just like Appetite was

I honestly believe CD has the potential to sell 20 to 40 million copies in its first week alone.

No album has ever sold that much in the whole history of music (in its first week I mean). So it's totally utopic.

[Wheres Izzy]

I think the top selling album ever is thriller at like 27 million so 40 million is highly unlikely. U2's "all that you can't leave behind" was considered big for a "band" album a few years back and I think that sold like 4 million. So I would bet my life 20 million in the first week ain't happening lol. I like your optimism tho. I think the album will start slow no matter what and if it's real good it could do 4 million. No rock band has approached sales of ten million in a while. Not to mention alot of the old Gnr Bands aren't gonna buy it unless they hear something they like due to the lineup changes.

[shaner]

They would need a single out first if it was to be a big media release. The new band isn't in the spotlight enough to make a big first impact. But on the other hand, I think Axl was waiting for VR to release their record so that people wonder what has happend to him. How come axl isn't with the rest of the guys....(This is from a no-hardcore gnr fan point of view)or an average joe on the street.That might make more people want to buy a gnr record just to see what its all bout.

[Saul]

I know I didnt read "20 to 40 million" in the first week did I? 

[MadmanDan]

I honestly believe CD has the potential to sell 20 to 40 million copies in its first week alone.

Dude, I think you put an extra two zeros in this sentence

[a fan]

Most people wouldn't know about it unless they're on forums like these.  I think these days GN'R is one of those bands that you have to refer to as "that Guns N' Roses band", or you will get "looks".  So I don't think there would be a lot of lines. 

[nesquick]

All will depend on the material!
-If the whole album is as good as "the blues" and "madagascar", and with a "classic-rock" vibe ( Classic Rock n' Roll sound+ monster ballads with piano), sure it will be HUGE. With a good promotion and a tour, 20 million copies worldwide within 2 or 3 years is possible (6/7 million copies in the US).
- However if the album is full of industrial/indus/techno songs ala "silkworms" or "oh my god", it will be a giant failure. That kind of music doesn't work for Guns N' Roses. That's NOT the sound of this band.

[Eeebs]

When was the last time you saw a line up at the local music store?  I dunno... the only time I saw a line up of any sort was when Star Wars was being released on dvd or some limited edition figurines of that series was being released.

If Star War fans can do it, so can the Gunners.

Yeah... I will believe it when I see it

[Continental Drift]

Who knows. Maybe it will be like the Iraqi election- where everyone expected 6% of the population to show and instead they got 60%. I think there is a huge "latent" GN'R fanbase out there, but they need to be awoken from their 12 year slumber with a kick ass lead single that gets heavy rotation. If Guns' can pull that off- then I think CD could tidal wave fast into something kind of resembling the UYI hysteria.

[disease51883]

I think one would be better getting excited about Chinese Democracy's artistic potential and not it's selling potential. Consider it boundary pushing album for the band's hardcore fan base.

[Mr. Sinister]

Nope - Relatively few people even remember that there is/was a "new" GNR out there, so Chinese Democracy isn't exactly being awaited on the massive scale that the UYI's were.

That said, I think that once the record's out it will indeed be a hit - If the lead single is strong enough (please God don't let it be a ballad... that could sink the whole thing), people will take notice and get curious. Especially now that classic GNR has seen a bit of a resurgence in popularity over the past year.

[WAR41]

I agree with one thing.... it will be a top 10 story of the year.  Not because its a great album, but because Axl Rose finally released his 'opus'.  There will not be lines.  There will not be 20-40 million albums sold in the first week (a bit much).  This album will not be a worldwide event except for, like many have been saying, for the hardcore fans. 

That being said, I have to be my negative self and say that I still do not believe this album will be released!  But that is off topic, and I have heard many of your responses to that statement.  Just had to say it

[Twisted Nerve 85]

I think the top selling album ever is thriller at like 27 million so 40 million is highly unlikely. U2's "all that you can't leave behind" was considered big for a "band" album a few years back and I think that sold like 4 million. So I would bet my life 20 million in the first week ain't happening lol. I like your optimism tho. I think the album will start slow no matter what and if it's real good it could do 4 million. No rock band has approached sales of ten million in a while. Not to mention alot of the old Gnr Bands aren't gonna buy it unless they hear something they like due to the lineup changes.

Thriller is still going as far as sales go
and its total number of sales is about 56 million 

[ShotgunBlues1978]

Chinese Democracy will probably sell 2 or 3 million in the US and about 10 million worldwide, excellent sales, but it's not going to come close to their previous hits.  Lets face it, rock is no longer the most popular form of music, at least in the US.  Guns N Roses in their heyday were the most popular group in the most popular genre.  When they come back, there will be a lot of hype but the fanbase just isn't there anymore.  The Axl Rose of the current music buying generation is Eminem, as sad as that may be, it's the truth. 

[providman]

I'm sure alot of people won't agree with me on this, but I believe there will be HUGE lines at the stores for this. Whatever year CD comes out, it will be one of the top 10 stories of that year. When Axl announces a release date it will be announced in all major media outlets. I believe it will even eclipse the hysteria over 'Illusions'. And for those here who were too young back then to remember it, it was a phenomenon and something I will never forget. The hysteria in the days before CD release will be a worldwide event. On the day of its release,as long as there is no major war going on, GNR will be THE top story of the day. And regardless of how good or bad the album is, I think its going to shatter records. I honestly believe CD has the potential to sell 20 to 40 million copies in its first week alone. When you factor in the millions of hardcore GNR fans worldwide,and the millions who buy CD out of curiosity, and the millions who buy it because its the 'cool thing' of the moment, it may even surpass my 20 to 40 million sales prediction. And that would make it the biggest selling album of all time. But as for how good material will be on CD...well..only AXL knows that. But to be honest, the quality of CD is irrelevant when thinking purely in terms of album sales.There is so much mystery surrounding CD it almost doesn't even matter whats on it because its gonna sell big time regardless. This is one of the reasons why i've never understood Axl's reluctance to release CD. I guess Axl definitely isn't doing it for the money,because if he was, he could've gotten MEGA rich 2 years ago.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.






















Unless your just being totally facetious. In that case, that just applies to whoever agrees with you.

[jimmythegent]

Thinking about this topic makes me smile - I remember back to when the Illusions were being released, that feeling of expectation and excitment - it has been unparalelled since IMO.

Do I think CD will have that level of general anticipation eg.. mass queues outside record stores?
Im afraid not. It will sell respectively in it's first few weeks. The rest will depend solely on the actual quality of music and the way it's marketed.

I liked whoever inferred that CD must rise or fall on it's artistic merits over it's commercial potential- this is all we fans (and Axl) can really hope for I reckon.