Tom Zutaut letter in NY Times

[Sakib]

Im sorry but who's Tom Zutaut?

Tom Zutaut was the dude who signed GN'R up 2 the Geffen Label in 1986. he dont work with em n e  more.

[HoldenCaulfield]

Very nice. Tom seems like a super cool and passionate individual. It's great that he's still on Axl's side. His passion and faith in Axl is very reassuring. He's not just some Joe Blow off the street... 

[ppbebe]

Thanks Eva and estranged.

However, I believe Axl cares very much what the press thinks of him personally and not just how he's portrayed by the media to his fans.

He takes negative comments to heart and holds grudges accordingly, while enjoying the praise as well.

Maybe and Maybe not.
What you might think of or not think of before you get to sleep is no one's business but yours and less evident to others than what you would have with your burrito.

Yet One thing. You really can't bother with what someone who you don't like thinks of you.
If he had that high regard for the press, he would be whoring to the press already.
But seemingly it bothered him with broadcasting biased info to the people he cared about, that is, those who listen to his music. That he talked to the audience directly, which obviously didn't work for ya.

You create your idol in your own image. It's a papier-m?ch? made of press cuttings. Sure, it must be "fragile".
If only you could break your dear paper-idol once and open your eyes. Perhaps It's not too late yet, I BET.

It's not how you're thinking, or as you've imagined To live in a shade of beliefs that were fashioned
to leave you in slavery and drain out your soul
But what can I do when there's so many liars?
They crawl through your veins, like millions of spiders
that seek out their victims, and who is the wiser?

I'm not saying this is what I believe. It's simply what I read and hear so far. One more reliable news/song can change this easy.

[Buddha_Master]

You know reading these posts reminded me of that VMA appearance and what happened aftwards when Loder interviewed him. Remember how ackward Axl got when Loder started talking to him. Axl thanked him for the great review he gave them for the RIR 3 show. Loder didnt hear him right, and Axl said it again. It came off really bad and well, ackward. He certaintly does care what the media says I guess. I never thought so but, remembering this odd exchange between Axl and Kurt kind of proves that he does. You have to see it, as just reading about the exchange doesnt do it justice. It was weird man.

Maybe the album has been delayed to 2006. This does feel the same right now, as it has the last couple years. Its almost April and still not a word.

What this dude said in his letter is cool, but its just more blah blah blah. Whether someone is saying something bad or good, its all talk and it means shit. I just want to know when we are going to get some action. Talking is for chicks.

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

What this dude said in his letter is cool, but its just more blah blah blah. Whether someone is saying something bad or good, its all talk and it means shit. I just want to know when we are going to get some action. Talking is for chicks.

The time for 'talk' will pass... and we'll all be happy to hear the music speak, indeed 

thing is..  so long as there's talk... signs of life... I prefer it to the utter silence we had after the 02 tour ended prematurely. 

[younggunner]

Axl Rose was one of the only artists I ever worked with who was never motivated by money.  He consistently put the quality of his artistic output above all.  Whether you consider him to be a musical genius on hold, a poster child for the misunderstood, or a narcissist, all of his actions are motivated by a pure desire to make every recording count as a true reflection of his own high standards.

In a sea of musical mediocrity and generic voices processed into greatness by computers, Axl Rose achieved the American dream in music without compromising his integrity for the sake of fame or fortune.  I am sure that Axl's new Guns N' Roses will impact popular culture with the same vigor and vitality that made "Appetite for Destruction" a part of musical history.

And that is why I will continue to support Axl and the musical monstrosity known as Guns N' Roses

[Falcon]

Thanks Eva and estranged.

However, I believe Axl cares very much what the press thinks of him personally and not just how he's portrayed by the media to his fans.

He takes negative comments to heart and holds grudges accordingly, while enjoying the praise as well.

Maybe and Maybe not.
 

There's really no maybe not about it.

His combative history with the perceived negative press speaks volumes.

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

Thanks Eva and estranged.

However, I believe Axl cares very much what the press thinks of him personally and not just how he's portrayed by the media to his fans.

He takes negative comments to heart and holds grudges accordingly, while enjoying the praise as well.

Maybe and Maybe not.
 

There's really no maybe not about it.

His combative history with the perceived negative press speaks volumes.

RS: When you were in New York recently, you took offense at a review Jon Pareles wrote in the 'New York Times' and invited him to come onstage to talk about it. (Pareles, reviewing a December G n' R show at Madison Square Garden, described the audience as "oddly restrained." Pareles was invited to come to the following night's show and "tell the crowd why they weren't having a good time.")

Axl: I was actually just going to sit down and talk. I wasn't going to make him look like an ass.

RS: Still, he would've been walking into a minefield. No matter what he said, they'd boo him and cheer you.

Axl: He didn't have the balls to stand behind what he wrote, and he got exposed.

RS: A lot of people would say that in inviting him to talk about that on your turf, you were the one who didn't have the balls. Why didn't you call him and talk about it personally on neutral territory?

Axl: I'm not gonna make the New York Times any more money. It was an obnoxious piece. It was shit journalism. He could've written: "I didn't like the show, personally. I think they suck." Okay, fine. Cool. You can think we suck, and I can think you're an asshole. But don't just try to make it look like nobody enjoyed it.

from Axl Rose: The Rolling Stone Interview - Rolling Stone, April 2nd 1992, RS627
source: http://heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=56

take from that what you will... 

[Falcon]

take from that what you will...?

I take that as an artist who took what the writer said to heart and felt compelled to admonish him in public forum that was decidedly unfair ground.  Hardly a letter to the editor...

It proves my point beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Sensitive and thin skinned, way to worried about 1 mans opinion.

[providman]

Talk about being lobbed a softball.

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

no, I'm sorry.. ?I DON'T THINK it 'proves your point'

to take something to heart is to take it under consideration... ?to give the opinion weight... ?

if i said "Falcon is an idiot" ?... would you take that to heart?
i doubt it
yet, if i went on to build a case to try and portray to everyone on the board here that you really are an idiot...
you would likely be inclined to respond...
and not because you've taken my comments 'to heart'
but because you may feel that i've wrongfully portrayed you as an idiot..
and you'd want to set the record straight, no?

see what i mean?

so like i was saying.. just because someone might RESPOND to someone else's comments about them does not mean they are 'taking it to heart'....

you certainly can't believe that Axl began to doubt himself or the band's performance just because Jon Parales wrote a sucky review claiming the crowd wasn't 'into it'. ?
what he cared about was not 'one man's opinion' but the opinion that others would form based on the writer's portrayal of the show

I THINK that when he said: ? "Okay, fine. ?Cool. ?You can think we suck, and I can think you're an asshole."...
he's saying that if the guy thought they sucked it wasn't making or breaking his day - much like Axl Rose thinking Jon Parales is an asshole would not make or break Jon Pareles' day either.

I THINK it was the misrepresnetation he felt the writer made that he objected to, as is demonstrated by these words: ?"But don't just try to make it look like nobody enjoyed it"

see those are axl's words right there: ?DON'T TRY TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE... ? those words right there mean "don't portray the show like nobody enjoyed it"

Axl DOES care how he is PORTRAYED. ?That is what we been saying for like a dozen posts.
I don't think ANYONE is saying he doesn't care how he is portrayed. ?

but to think he'd take such criticism to heart? ?nah. ?in fact I THINK his vocal rebuttal of such criticisms means he does the opposite - he categorically dismisses it. ?

btw: ?you will note that the above is what I THINK and there is no 'disproving' it...
just trying to lend some understanding to what I THINK ?

[Warren]

Poor Tom Zutaut...

[Lord Kayoss]

In a sea of musical mediocrity and generic voices processed into greatness by computers, Axl Rose achieved the American dream in music without compromising his integrity for the sake of fame or fortune.? I am sure that Axl's new Guns N' Roses will impact popular culture with the same vigor and vitality that made "Appetite for Destruction" a part of musical history.

That all sounds really good but it's high time "Chinese Democracy" becomes a reality and puts a little money where Axl's peer's mouths are.  We can't keep reading this crap forever with nothing to back it up.

[Intercourse]

exactly man, give us the damn product and we'll see who 'the heart and soul of GNR is'...............

[madagas]

There is no doubt Axl is sensitive and cares what others think of him...he is HUMAN. We all do. However, Falcon, you only look at the negative side of the position. On the flip side, you can easily argue that Axl is a true "punk" in the entire sense of the word. He has essentially given his record company, the media, and even his fans the biggest "fuck you" in the history of rock and roll. As Tommy says, he has got alot of balls. He does it his way and his way only-for the most part. So, there is two sides to every coin. You don't particularly like Axl so you choose to generally emphasize his weakness. I like Axl but understand that he is obviously a very complex and deeply disturbed man who truly is hard to pigeonhole in to any category. The guy is a psychologist's wet dream. Most truly gifted people tend to be deeply insecure and deeply confident at the same time. Throw in a rags to riches story and intense media scrutiny, and you have a very fractured individual who has done exactly what I would do-retreat from the public eye. Just my rambling two cents.

[Johnnyblood]

Axl [on John Pareles of NYT review]: He didn't have the balls to stand behind what he wrote, and he got exposed.

Yes, and Axl jumps to service any time someone questions something he says or writes. Such as One in a Million, which he "doesn't have the balls" to stand behind anymore. Or his challenges of Bob Guccione Jr, Vince Neil, and god knows who else.

I realize we're talking about an interview from over 10 years ago, but, if that's what you're using to sanctify Axl, then that's what we'll go with. And all this quote does is expose one of Axl's own imperfections, that being hypocricy and imposing higher standards on others than he does on himself. And hey, guess what? He's not alone! We are all a bunch of clumsy idiots doing the best we can, even journalists!

[ppbebe]

There is no doubt Axl is sensitive and cares what others think of him...he is HUMAN. We all do. However, Falcon, you only look at the negative side of the position. On the flip side, you can easily argue that Axl is a true "punk" in the entire sense of the word. He has essentially given his record company, the media, and even his fans the biggest "fuck you" in the history of rock and roll. As Tommy says, he has got alot of balls. He does it his way and his way only-for the most part. So, there is two sides to every coin. You don't particularly like Axl so you choose to generally emphasize his weakness. I like Axl but understand that he is obviously a very complex and deeply disturbed man who truly is hard to pigeonhole in to any category. The guy is a psychologist's wet dream. Most truly gifted people tend to be deeply insecure and deeply confident at the same time. Throw in a rags to riches story and intense media scrutiny, and you have a very fractured individual who has done exactly what I would do-retreat from the public eye. Just my rambling two cents.

What's so special about uncle Axl other than being earnest? I mean character wise.
I never idolise anyone alive so I don't understand the worships or the hatreds toward musicians who don't know you personally.
My idols are, if any,  toons and historical figures.

[Falcon]

but to think he'd take such criticism to heart? ?nah. ?in fact I THINK his vocal rebuttal of such criticisms means he does the opposite - he categorically dismisses it. ?

For me, a categorical dismissal would involve no rebbuttal, none needed.

btw: ?you will note that the above is what I THINK and there is no 'disproving' it...
just trying to lend some understanding to what I THINK ?

Same here for me, agree to disagree?

[Falcon]

However, Falcon, you only look at the negative side of the position.

Not really, I just don't see a positive side of letting a journalist get under your skin and calling him out in a forum that's obviously not on a level field of play.

On the flip side, you can easily argue that Axl is a true "punk" in the entire sense of the word. He has essentially given his record company, the media, and even his fans the biggest "fuck you" in the history of rock and roll.

I hardly consider Axl's insecurity about releasing his material and attempts at current relevence "punk" at all.

You don't particularly like Axl so you choose to generally emphasize his weakness.

Not true.? I find Axl Rose one of the most intriguing figures in music.? However, I also hold an objective opinion regarding his talent and place in rock history, seeing him much more like Brian Wilson and nothing like John Lydon..

[madagas]

Punk is probably the wrong word. However, you get my drift. Just because he cares doesn't mean he is going to give in to the media, the record company, or his fans. He is a pretty "defiant" (better word) individual. You have no idea why Axl hasn't released the material. It could be for any number of reasons-including insecurity. But, it is unfair to assume that is the only reason we don't have a record. ps I saw where you are going to see a Bucket solo show. It is pretty weird but you will quickly see that this guy is something else. He is all over the board-fast, slow, grungy, bluesy, etc. Playing old Gnr songs does not do him justice. You just got to see it.