Emails from Richard Fortus

[DunkinDave]

Subject: Hi Richard!
Date: Wed, November 30, 2005 12:06 am

Richard,

I'm a big fan and love your playing. Still eagerly awaiting the new GNR album.

A while back you guested with Dizzy Reed's band Hookers and Blow. I know he plays Guns N' Roses songs during his shows. Are there any songs GNR didn't play live in 2002 that you would like to play live with them in the future?

I'm also wondering if you can explain to me how GNR communicates onstage. During the 2002 tour Axl would make certain hand gestures towards either band members or to someone offstage. Is he just trying to get his monitor adjusted, or are there certain gestures that carry meaning?

Finally - if you were stranded on an island with one song to listen to, which of the following would it be?:

Chinese Democracy
Riyadh and The Bedouins

All the best -
Chris

Hi Chris,

thanks for taking the time to write to me.? I appologize for the long delay in replying to your email.? I'm very backlogged with emails and i'm trying desperately to catch up!? To answer your questions... I'd like to do "crazy".? We did it acoustically at that little club in NY, but I'd like to do it with the full band. As to how we communicate onstage-? Axl and Tommy have a mic that only goes to the band's in-ear monitors.? That's how we know what song we are doing next.? If Axl was gesticulating, it was probably towards the monitor engineer to change his mix.? If i had to choose between Rhiad and ChiDem, i think that i'd choose Chinese.? I love playing that song!

hope to see you soon,
richard

Yay for responses!

 

[NickNasty]

^^^ I agree with Richard. Put "You're Crazy" in the setlist!!

[wells]

> hey, wanted to say I dig that solo you were doing during the first Nightrain
> solo. Cool "major" feel to it. Im telling you Rich, you have a great
> tone...I know we're always searching for that elusive magical tone, but
> your's is cool. Between us (lol), Robin is like.......ummm.....not that
> good. I mean, he has a cool look, i actually like his look. But....he makes
> so many mistakes and flubs alot. He should play mostly rhythm, you should
> take lead, and let that be it. What is the plan anyway with the guitarist
> situation? I guess Axl makes it kinda impossible to forsee the future. Has
> he given you guys any kind of update recently?

 not cool at all...?

[nesquick]

Velimir, if only you knew how much I trashed Buckethead in my e-mails...? if only you knew... Richard MUST have been shocked when he read a few things I wrote about BH?

Writing an e-mail is:
1) Making Congratulations
2) Commenting about what you think is good or bad (Your favourite song + there's always one guy a basic fan can't stand in his favourite band, it's the same for almost every fans)
3) Making requests and asking questions
5) Saying "thank you"
4) Waiting for an answer...one day or another... maybe....? ?

[ppbebe]

Thanks for sharing, guys.
So they are now planning a tour in the US for this autumn
and the other one in Brazil for this winter.

As to how we communicate onstage-  Axl and Tommy have a mic that only goes to the band's in-ear monitors.  That's how we know what song we are doing next.  If Axl was gesticulating, it was probably towards the monitor engineer to change his mix.   
richard

That's an interesting titbit. Is it you who got this reply, Dunkin?

[Mutherfunker]

I tell you something - there must be nothing worse than reading e-mails from people telling you your bandmate ( who could well be one of his best friends, and a great guy) isn't very good.

Saying stuff like that is wrong. Pure rudeness.

@#$%Funker

[DunkinDave]

As to how we communicate onstage-? Axl and Tommy have a mic that only goes to the band's in-ear monitors.? That's how we know what song we are doing next.? If Axl was gesticulating, it was probably towards the monitor engineer to change his mix.? ?
richard

That's an interesting titbit. Is it you who got this reply, Dunkin?

Yep - this morning.

[wells]

Velimir, if only you knew how much I trashed Buckethead in my e-mails...? if only you knew... Richard MUST have been shocked when he read a few things I wrote about BH?

well he probably read your posts on this forums so nothing could shock him ?... on the other hand of course emails are to share private conversations... I am not going into ethics here, but saying 'between us' and then posting it on public forums is, if nothing else, stupid...

[CheapJon]

hey guys.. all you that are writing e-mails to bbf and 4tus can't you ask him about an official guns n roses web site.. not the gnronline but one that some update and stuff like that.. every band in the worlds got a website.. if we ask him about it he'll maybe ask axl or merck about it who knows it's worth a try aint it?

[dodger girl]

> hey, wanted to say I dig that solo you were doing during the first Nightrain
> solo. Cool "major" feel to it. Im telling you Rich, you have a great
> tone...I know we're always searching for that elusive magical tone, but
> your's is cool. Between us (lol), Robin is like.......ummm.....not that
> good. I mean, he has a cool look, i actually like his look. But....he makes
> so many mistakes and flubs alot. He should play mostly rhythm, you should
> take lead, and let that be it. What is the plan anyway with the guitarist
> situation? I guess Axl makes it kinda impossible to forsee the future. Has
> he given you guys any kind of update recently?

 not cool at all... 

yup.. especially when they seem to be such good friends..

[estranged.1098]

> hey, wanted to say I dig that solo you were doing during the first Nightrain
> solo. Cool "major" feel to it. Im telling you Rich, you have a great
> tone...I know we're always searching for that elusive magical tone, but
> your's is cool. Between us (lol), Robin is like.......ummm.....not that
> good. I mean, he has a cool look, i actually like his look. But....he makes
> so many mistakes and flubs alot. He should play mostly rhythm, you should
> take lead, and let that be it. What is the plan anyway with the guitarist
> situation? I guess Axl makes it kinda impossible to forsee the future. Has
> he given you guys any kind of update recently?

 not cool at all... 

I'm sure Richard really enjoys reading stuff like that. 

People should learn to not waste other people's time.

[Pinball Wizard]

Yay!! A Brazilian tour!!! 

I'm so happy that I'm saving money since January 1st!!! 

The more shows I can affort the better, don't matter if its at Rio de Janeiro, S?o Paulo, Acre or in the middle of Amazon Florest!! I'LL GO!!!!!!!!!!!

[GonsaNRoses]

hey pinn the feeling is awseome right?

have guns down here...
I'm from uruguay soo... it would be amazingggggggg

my fucking god I can't waittttttttt

well, wait wait, I don't have the money yet!!

[MeanBone]

> hey, wanted to say I dig that solo you were doing during the first Nightrain
> solo. Cool "major" feel to it. Im telling you Rich, you have a great
> tone...I know we're always searching for that elusive magical tone, but
> your's is cool. Between us (lol), Robin is like.......ummm.....not that
> good. I mean, he has a cool look, i actually like his look. But....he makes
> so many mistakes and flubs alot. He should play mostly rhythm, you should
> take lead, and let that be it. What is the plan anyway with the guitarist
> situation? I guess Axl makes it kinda impossible to forsee the future. Has
> he given you guys any kind of update recently?

 not cool at all... 

agreed. so stupid to say shit about his bandmember and good friend...
that's just rude.

[Pinball Wizard]

hey pinn the feeling is awseome right?

have guns down here...
I'm from uruguay soo... it would be amazingggggggg

my fucking god I can't waittttttttt

well, wait wait, I don't have the money yet!!

Then start saving my friend!! 

Maybe they do a concert at Uruguay, see...usually when bands come to South America they do some Deal Packages with other countries...so maybe there's a show at Uruguay or in Argentina(which would be closer to you if there isn't any show at Porto Alegre/Curitiba)!

[GonsaNRoses]

hey pinn the feeling is awseome right?

have guns down here...
I'm from uruguay soo... it would be amazingggggggg

my fucking god I can't waittttttttt

well, wait wait, I don't have the money yet!!

Then start saving my friend!! 

Maybe they do a concert at Uruguay, see...usually when bands come to South America they do some Deal Packages with other countries...so maybe there's a show at Uruguay or in Argentina(which would be closer to you if there isn't any show at Porto Alegre/Curitiba)!

oFFFFFFFFf course man, argentina would be my next step,
it's veeeeeeeeeeeeery immposble to them to play in uruguay, but well argentina... it's pretty closer soo... I'LL BE THERE...

mannnn thinking it's just sick, I can't imagine that happening...

well, I can, but i's insane...!

[Mr.Intensity]

Around 6 months ago I emailed Richard to tell him I thought he was a great addition to the band and I really enjoyed his energy on stage. I asked him what some of his favorite older gnr songs are that he might like to play and I asked him what new songs he'd like to see the band play live. I then asked him if it was true that he recorded some parts for Chinese Democracy sometime between October and December of 05. I also congratulated him on a new born baby as well as wished his family a merry christmas. Richard, ever the gentleman, responded with this.......

Hi Justin,
thanks for taking the time to write to me.  I appologize for the delay in responding to your email.  To answer your questions.. Yes, i wouldn't mind playing "Estranged" or "Locomotive" (both great songs), however I'd rather we begin playing some of the other new songs like "Catcher" or "Rhiad".  next, Um, yes I've been doing recording on the record pretty much since i joined the band. It's been an on-going process the entire time.  I love the record, i hope that you will as well.
thanks again,
richard


PS- I got a strong feeling I'm going to love the album.

[estranged2006]

sounds good!!  Richard is the coolest new member of the band.

[russtcb]

Around 6 months ago I emailed Richard to tell him I thought he was a great addition to the band and I really enjoyed his energy on stage. I asked him what some of his favorite older gnr songs are that he might like to play and I asked him what new songs he'd like to see the band play live. I then asked him if it was true that he recorded some parts for Chinese Democracy sometime between October and December of 05. I also congratulated him on a new born baby as well as wished his family a merry christmas. Richard, ever the gentleman, responded with this.......

Hi Justin,
thanks for taking the time to write to me.? I appologize for the delay in responding to your email.? To answer your questions.. Yes, i wouldn't mind playing "Estranged" or "Locomotive" (both great songs), however I'd rather we begin playing some of the other new songs like "Catcher" or "Rhiad".? next, Um, yes I've been doing recording on the record pretty much since i joined the band. It's been an on-going process the entire time.? I love the record, i hope that you will as well.
thanks again,
richard


PS- I got a strong feeling I'm going to love the album.

Nice. Very cool email. I appriciate that these guys take any time at all to keep communication open with their fans. I love that Richard pointed out "Locomotive" that song strikes me as right up his alley.

[EFISH]

thats cool..

it really seems like Rhiad will be on the album with the setlist that we saw plus some emails from richard and ron.

that's cool.. i cant wait to hear how/if that changed evolved..