So how did they all get together?

[rockNroses]

What is known about the forming of the current lineup?

For example: Did Axl go to a NIN concert, saw Robin, liked him and then just asked him to play in GN'R?

How the hell did he find Buckethead? And what about Chris Pitman? How did they meet, for how long do they know each other and where from?

I heard Steve Vai recommended Ron to Axl? Is that true? Are there any other background type of stories like that? I think it could be quite intresting to know a bit about "the making of GN'R 2.0".

Any information about that?

[Mr. Redman]

I think Matt Sorum found Robin played for Cirque Du Solie (sp) but I'm not sure.

[Continental Drift]

It's in the SPIN article from '99, which I don't have handy at the moment, but I believe it was Matt Sorum who claims he first brought Robin Finck to Axl's attention in 1996 or so. Sorum is quoted as saying (off the top of my head) that he brought Axl to see Robin play (I think Almost Famous is right in that it was a Cique Di Soleil show) and said to Axl- "How about we bring him along to play with Slash?" and according to Sorum, Axl replied with: "F that... let's bring him in to replace Slash!" Not sure I believe that as Sorum is kind of a shameless self-promoter at times... and I believe Axl was already in contact with Trent Reznor at that point and was well aware of who Robin Finck was. I think it's far more likely that Axl was trying to figure out the next step after Slash's departure in late '96 and Trent suggested that Axl work with Robin...

Stinson, if I remember correctly, just got a call from GN'R management one day soon after Duff's departure in 1998 and was asked if he would be interested in coming down for a try-out... He said "Hell yeah!" and then went out and bought his FIRST copy of AFD and began learning all of Duff's parts (as he was admittedly not a huge fan of the band- although respected what they had accomplished, etc... just never owned their albums)! He went to the try-out... and the rest is history.

Buckethead brought Brain with him to replace Josh Freese- but I have no idea how the intial contact with Buckethead was made. How do you contact Buckethead!!?!

Fortus was a very well respected studio musician. He was probably on management's short-list once Paul Tobias wanted out.... probably similar to how they found Gilby in a pinch back in 1991. There's a story about how he played a Rolling Stones song perfectly (can't remember which one) during his try-out... maybe even was just warming up before the try-out and Axl was like... "That's the guy!". The interesting thing with Fortus is that he brought a connection to The Psychedelic Furs and Love Spit Love... which assumedly paved the way for Frank Ferrer's involvement in the band.

Bumblefoot? I've only ever heard of the Steve Vai recommendation... and the false start in 2004 where the band got cold feet after Ron accidentally let it slide that he was in talks to join the band. Thank God they were able to patch that all up in 2006.

Pitman? That's Buckethead territory. Don't have a clue. I know he was in the band The Replicants that had a small but devoted following in the 90's... maybe Axl got into him then somehow?

That's all I know... and don't claim any of this as 100% true... perhaps others can shed some light?

[PJ]

Matt looked Robin in circus de soleil. He thought it would be a great addition to the band.
 
Matt left and they needed a drummer, so they called josh freese. He is the most famous session drummer in the world.. So i dont think there is story behind.

When Duff left in 98.. Josh Freese recommended his friend Tommy Stinson.

Tommy recommended Richard when Robin left in 99, but Buckethead was chosen by Axl and Richard was promised that next time they needed a guitarist, they would call him, when Paul left, Richard came in.

Buckethead is an enigma, nobody knows how Axl heard about him (my theory is that he saw him in the 99 Ozzfest, where Primus played and BH appeared in every show), but what we know is that BH brought Brain after Josh left the band. Brain was asked twice about joining, first time he turned down because he was still in Primus, when Primus went to hiatus, he joined the band.

Chris Pitman is another enigma, I know he hooked up with the band in 98, because in the Lusk official site (like 3 years it was still open), they put in the news that Chris was joining GNR as an engineer and a writer. I remember that an EatMySilkworms guy talked to Axl and he told a history, I dont remeber it very well, maybe someone find it and post it.

Satriani was asked to replace BH in 2004, he turned off and recommended BBF, who was contacted by Chris.. something happened (BBF told someone and gossip started) and he didnt join, in 2006 he was chosen.

Frank was friend of Tommy and Richard and was chosen as an understudy drummer for Brain.



Gnrsource.com and interviews I have are where I found the info, so is not speculation.

[Mr. Redman]

It's in the SPIN article from '99, which I don't have handy at the moment,

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=71

As for Tommy, I know he gotta call from management at the time, bought a used copy of AFD at a record store n' learned the bass parts pretty much overnight I believe.

[Eclipsed107]

I always thought there was something about Axl inviting Buckethead to a party and giving him some kind of horror doll or something.

[Mr. Redman]

I always thought there was something about Axl inviting Buckethead to a party and giving him some kind of horror doll or something.

Yeah! Axl invited Bucket to his Christmas party, n' had an action figure that he was looking for and couldn't find or some shit, and Axl give him it and then he joined the band.

[mrbucketfoot]

Axl hired Pitman to install some gear in the studio (I believe at his home) and was so impressed by him that he invited him to be a full-time member of the band.

[PJ]

Tommy:

How did he approach you to join?

Josh Freese was playing drums for him when he and I did a session together in LA. And he said, 'Ya know we need a bass player?' because Duff (McKagan) had just quit. I learned a couple of songs, they called me up the next day and asked if I wanted to do it and I said 'Alright, cool.

http://www.staticmultimedia.com/music/features/feature_1100465956

Richard:

Q: When did you join Guns N' Roses?

A: I'm the newest guy. I joined a few months back. We did the tour of Europe, and when we got back, I recorded my parts for the album.

Q: Was it an easy decision to join?

A: Yeah. Tommy's one of my best friends, and he has been for a while. We've done loads of recording sessions together. And with all of the other people that are involved with Guns N' Roses, it's a pretty unbelievable band.

Q: When did you get the call to join up?

A: Actually, I first got a call like three years ago, but before that audition happened, Axl saw Buckethead play, and he decided to go with him instead. Fortunately, I got another call the next time they were looking for someone.

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=52

Chris:
from the now extinct LUSK site

?Lusk, and their Art Directors Peter Grant & Stephanie Hughes were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Packaging for their Free Mars LP at the 40th Grammy Award Ceremony for 1997/1998.(2/25/98)

?Chris Pitman is now working for Axl Rose, doing engineering/writing work on the new GUNS 'N ROSES album.(12/20/99)

?Blair Blake quotes: Actually, Chris Pitman is in Guns' Roses, writing with Buckethead and Brain, and will be playing strange keyboards on the upcoming tour. Chris has written some great tunes, which I was able to hear recently.(7/11/01)

?Chris Pitman is still a writing and touring member of Guns N' Roses, significantly contributing to the long-awaited Chinese Democracy.(6/25/02)

[LawsonsLaw007]

I always thought there was something about Axl inviting Buckethead to a party and giving him some kind of horror doll or something.

Yeah! Axl invited Bucket to his Christmas party, n' had an action figure that he was looking for and couldn't find or some shit, and Axl give him it and then he joined the band.

WTF hahah really thats kind of funny but weird at the same time

Peace

[ben9785]

Yeah, just to add my little extra

I think Axl has been a long time fan of NIN since early '90s.
I can't remember where it was I saw it but either a member of GNR or another related touring act where talking about how while everyone else around them was still listening to the classic/hard rock, Axl was getting into NIN and other industrial/electronic music that was groundbreaking at the time, and how he wanted GNR to go in that direction, which is why I guess he jumped at the chance of grabbing Robin as a SLASH replacement to help 'lead' the band in that kind of direction.

This is why I'd love someday for a box set or anthology which compiles all the aborted material.
I'd love to hear the 'industrial' GNR record which has, I guess for the most part, been scrapped since the late 90s.

[GNRreunioneventually]

this is a good thread i like how informative it is, good post

i'd really like to know the whole story between Buckethead and Axl. How they met and departed

This is why I'd love someday for a box set or anthology which compiles all the aborted material.
I'd love to hear the 'industrial' GNR record which has, I guess for the most part, been scrapped since the late 90s.

you and me both man. I would kill for all the scraped industrial electronic silkworms / Oh My God / Closing in on you type songs

[Rock the jungle]

I think was Joe Satriani who suggested Bumblefoot instead of Steve Vai (sorry if I'm wrong...)

[AdZ]

I think was Joe Satriani who suggested Bumblefoot

I believe so.

[Verse Chorus Verse]

this is a good thread i like how informative it is, good post

i'd really like to know the whole story between Buckethead and Axl. How they met and departed

This is why I'd love someday for a box set or anthology which compiles all the aborted material.
I'd love to hear the 'industrial' GNR record which has, I guess for the most part, been scrapped since the late 90s.

you and me both man. I would kill for all the scraped industrial electronic silkworms / Oh My God / Closing in on you type songs

I've never heard of Closing In On You. Got a link or something?

[jarmo]

you and me both man. I would kill for all the scraped industrial electronic silkworms / Oh My God / Closing in on you type songs

I've never heard of Closing In On You. Got a link or something?

Not very clever to request links to fakes here.



/jarmo

[Verse Chorus Verse]

Well, like I've said, I've never heard of it either way, so I wouldn't know if it was fake/whatever. Sorry.

[Jessica]

What is known about the forming of the current lineup?

For example: Did Axl go to a NIN concert, saw Robin, liked him and then just asked him to play in GN'R?

How the hell did he find Buckethead? And what about Chris Pitman? How did they meet, for how long do they know each other and where from?

I heard Steve Vai recommended Ron to Axl? Is that true? Are there any other background type of stories like that? I think it could be quite intresting to know a bit about "the making of GN'R 2.0".

Any information about that?

Probably whilst playing too much WOW

[HoldenCaulfield]

Yeah, apparently, when Axl was trying to get Buckethead to join, he convinced him by getting him a hard to find Leatherface doll...

[GNRreunioneventually]

Yeah, apparently, when Axl was trying to get Buckethead to join, he convinced him by getting him a hard to find Leatherface doll...

can you explain upon that a little more?