I hope Axl doesn't lose his band

[discobiscuit1]

Dizzy won't leave, he can't get far enough away from Axl cos his tounge is too far up his ass!

Thats a bit harsh, Dizzy is a very well respected musician in his own right. Look at how many bands and artists have asked for his keyboard magic since he joined what was the biggest band in the world, and dont get me started on his awesome solo work......breathtaking.

[ShotgunBlues1978]

Hopefully that won't happen.  On one hand everyone who's commented on the album says that they're very proud of the work they've done.  Stinson has said many complimentary things about Axl and the process of working on the album.  The few people outside of the band who've heard songs from the album, such as Brian May, have had nothing but positive comments.  It seems as though artistically everyone involved is happy with what's been done.

On the other side, most musicians like to get on the road and tour.  Most musicians don't want to spend countless hours in the recording studio trying to make the perfect album.  This is why the other members of the band are out on the road touring by themselves right now.  Don't forget though, it seems unlikely they'll leave the band at this point simply because the financial implications.  They can make as much money from one show with Guns N Roses as they can with an entire solo tour.  It seems that the recording process is finished, and the other group members are doing their solo projects as they await the post production getting wrapped up.  I would be surprised if anyone else quit, given the fact that they've obviously been allowed to do their own thing, whether it's releasing solo albums or touring with other groups.

[WAR41]

Don't forget though, it seems unlikely they'll leave the band at this point simply because the financial implications.  They can make as much money from one show with Guns N Roses as they can with an entire solo tour.

These are the comments that I love the most.  According to everything we have heard, they are paid ANNUAL SALARIES.  Who do you honestly think gets the majority of the money from touring?  Probably the guy who is paying the salaries.  Do they get a small chunk of it?  I am sure they get a small percentage of each show, but nothing outlandish that is going to let them retire after one show.  I think there is a very strong possibility they may leave.  All they are referred to now is "(insert name here) of Guns N' Roses."  After a while that may get old and they may get sick of the questions.  Plus, who wants to play with a band where a potential riot may ensue each show? 

Of course, this is just my pessimistic self.  I still dont think this album will ever see the light of day.  So whether members leave or not, in my opinion it wont matter....

[younggunner]

the title of this thread is my only concern in regards to GNR.

[ShotgunBlues1978]

Obviously Axl is going to get the majority of the money from the tour, that's a given.  But when a band like Guns N Roses does an arena tour they get a load of money for every date.  On the current Motley Crue tour for example the band's being paid about $1,000,000 per show.  Even if GnR gets less than that on their next tour, say, $500,000 for a single show date and Axl takes $400,000 for himself, the other band members are still making more than they would on a solo tour date.  Tommy Stinson or Dizzy Reed probably get $2000-4000 bucks or so to play a gig, and then they have to split that up with the other people in their band.  But even so, being in Guns N Roses isn't preventing Stinson from doing his own thing, or Fortus from going on tour with another band. 

[Intercourse]

As a failed rock star myself who was signed for a while,  I still have a few friends left in 'the biz'. The word I'm hearing is that the band haven't been paid since February when their label stopped putting more cash into CD. Tommy remains very loyal to Axl and is not budging...for the moment. Money has started to show up for a Replacements reunion but Westerbergs comments about Axl have pissed Tommy off so that will not be on the cards for now.

Bear in mind what I have been told is by a record company guy with nothing to do with GNR so it could all be a steaming pile of shite...


Just thought I'd share.

Regarding appearance fees, those guys would be on about 5-10K a night for the bigger gigs. I know guys who play as session musicians who are not even band not band members who make about 8K a week for 4 shows.
peace,
Intercourse

[madagas]

The fact that Fortus just put up a web site and the opening line of his bio talks about being a member of Gnr is a positive sign. Well, at least I think it is.

[providman]

The fact that Fortus just put up a web site and the opening line of his bio talks about being a member of Gnr is a positive sign. Well, at least I think it is.

Ah yes, those "positive signs". When there is nothing going on in the world of GnR, If you look hard enough & apply some creative thinking, you can always find some "positive signs" to make you feel a little better about the whole thing.

Just joking, Madagas, if I remember, you're a Wilco fan so you're allright in my book

[sandman]

i think bandmembers leaving is a VERY good possibility. and a legitimate concern for all fans.

buckethead was the most important member of this band, and he's gone.

money is a major factor, but it's not the only factor. not all musicians will do anything for a buck.

and i'm guessing they are not getting paid much (if anything at all) right now. so it's the promise of money down the road, IF the album comes out and they manage to tour successfully behind it. those are 2 very big ifs which i'm sure every member thinks about frequently.

[jarmo]

buckethead was the most important member of this band, and he's gone.

What do you base that on?

When people say Axl was the most important part of the band, they get attacked by people saying everybody in the band was important (including Steven).



/jarmo

[madagas]

Jarmo, I would have to say Bucket was the most important part as well...at least on the surface. He was getting the most press along with Tommy. He also really fit Axl's chaotic vision because he can literally play anything and everything. Of course, without an album, we really don't know what Axl's vision is! So, in the end, he may not be important at all.

ps Providman, you are right, I am a big Wilco fan...saw a GREAT show in Atlanta. Nels Cline..Nels Cline...maybe Axl could recruit him? Just kidding. And I AM just trying to find any reason to believe that Axl may do something..it is a desperate situation!

[sandman]

buckethead was the most important member of this band, and he's gone.

What do you base that on?

When people say Axl was the most important part of the band, they get attacked by people saying everybody in the band was important (including Steven).



/jarmo

it's called an opinion, jarmo.

based on the fact that he was by far the most talked about "added gun" in this group.

in addition, axl went to great measures to get him into the band.

(i'm not clear what your point is. are you "attacking" me because you're upset that people "attacked"axl supporters?)

[jarmo]

No, the "point" is, sometimes people get attacked for labeling somebody as more "important" than some other member.




/jarmo

[sandman]

No, the "point" is, sometimes people get attacked for labeling somebody as more "important" than some other member.




/jarmo

you questioned my opinion....i thought your point was that you disagreed with it.

if anyone disagrees with my opinion, bring it on. attack me. i love good debates.

axl was and is the most important member of gnr. but of the new members, buckethead was by far the most important.

[jarmo]

Well I do disagree with it.

I think Tommy is a more important part of the band than Buckethead was. He's been there longer.



/jarmo

[Mikkamakka]

Well I do disagree with it.

I think Tommy is a more important part of the band than Buckethead was. He's been there longer.



/jarmo

Then our man is... Dizzy! 

[sandman]

Well I do disagree with it.

I think Tommy is a more important part of the band than Buckethead was. He's been there longer.



/jarmo

and that extra time with the band has been so productive. ?

i think buckethead is a better musician.

i think he's more interesting; and thus, would generate more interest in the new lineup.

and tommy is a coke-head, which means he's a risk. ?

[Mikkamakka]

Well I do disagree with it.

I think Tommy is a more important part of the band than Buckethead was. He's been there longer.



/jarmo

and that extra time with the band has been so productive. ?

i think buckethead is a better musician.

i think he's more interesting; and thus, would generate more interest in the new lineup.

and tommy is a coke-head, which means he's a risk. ?

Noh, noh, there are no junkies in the band anymore. Look at Finck, he looks like someone who lives without drugs. Or Brian 'Pothead' Mantia. Or Pittman. Or Stinson. Well, maybe there are still some...

[madagas]

Tommy and Bucket are about even in my book. I don't know about Bucket being a better all around musician either. Tommy is pretty talented. As of today, he  is clearly the most important..image wise..attitude wise...very well respected in the industry as well (threw that in just for Falcon-indie cred right? That is all that's important!).?

[HoldenCaulfield]

All of these people are in the band specifically because they are the kind of people that *wouldn't* turn their back on Axl, but on the other side, the frustration will almost have to overpower someone in the band at some time, even if it's only temporarily. I have no clue...