how many "new" fans do you think bought the album

[nateinthehon]

So, I guess the final tally is 261k + whatever Itunes totals are.

I wonder how many people, kids mainly, bought CD who have never owned a GNR album, nor have they really been "into" them. I doubt that the figure is high(so far). I think that is a key demograph that hasnt been tapped into. Maybe the Alt rock station listeners, ones who dont listen to classic/hard rock mainly

[reed2009]

i am 20 years old and one of a different breed i worship this band and axl but in my age group id say from 12 to 25 there really isnt many diehards or even fans of guns, yes i have a select few friends that rock out with me but i say that it will take time for this album to express its self to newer younger fans! and i am hoping it does!! im sick of the bullshit so called rock out there now! axl thanks for this terriffic album and younger fans go buy it! 

[jeffaz02t]

I hope many new fans buy CD, but with the lackluster promotion, I fear they will not. Shackler's Revenge in that video game may help, but I do not think it is the best song to attract new fans. My guess, the vast majority of people who bought CD have bought other GnR albums in the past.

[demo23nz]

Must be a few 'mats, primus and bhead/praxis fans who weren't previously GnR fans and grabbed a copy...

[Continental Drift]

Not enough...

That can change in an instant if "Better" or a song like "This I Love" catches fire as a single someday though...

[RancidPunx]

It sold 260,000. Outside of the hardcore Internet fans? Not many.

[LIGuns]

It's still a big seller..Just not as big as hoped..Dissapointed RS does'nt have them on the cover..But damn Britney looks good!!!

[Dot]

Sales figures have been revealed, no number 1, not even number 2...just a bronze medal. If Slash and co. were around things would be different, don?t get me wrong, Chinese Democracy rocks. I read the news on MTV and they are also reporting on the rumours about the classic lineup reunion.

[Eclipsed107]

I doubt anyone who bought this album never owned a GnR album before.

[doooodickiebr]

hope there won't be too many young kids at the tour (if and when it happens)

[D]

just makes u wonder if all the diehards didnt buy 2 and 3 albums a piece how many it would've sold?

[younggunner]

did the pre orders count in the final tally?

[King Axl]

Well, although I had Appetite For Destruction well before "Sweet Child O' Mine" was released as a single, many weren't sold until that song broke out huge in the summer of 1988.

I think "This I Love" could very well be the SCOM of the new generation. Younger people will eat that song up once they hear it. I really hope it will be the next single after "Better", because I want to see the younger kids embrace GN'R the way I did all those years ago.

[bigcash2002]

I can't believe that this CD only sold 250K copies so far.  I love this album, in the end, I guess that is all that matters.  However, IMO this statistic is pathetic considering who released the album and the anticipation and controversy that naturally follows Axl.  I know that sales could take off when a tour, more singles, video, etc. happens.  But at the same time, I think this was a missed opportunity to sell 3 times the product in the opening week.  I was expecting a huge campaign and push as the album approached.  IMO, this released should have been an explosion of GNR and they should have been everywhere.  Not to preach to the choir here, but damn, I am disappointed in the following:

1) Axl decided to do zero promotion for this album.  I know, and love Axl for what he stands for.  However, I think he could have still done a few promotional things without crossing the line and "pimping himself out"
2) While I love the Best Buy Exclusive....their promotion was a joke.  They should have advertised this much more and earlier.
3) I can't believe that GNR singles were pushed harder for radio play.  This could have been done much better if promoted properly.
4) We have not see any members of the band out promoting this album
5) I would have liked to see articles and photos of the band in almost every music magazine and newspaper this month
6) I can't imagine how or why GNR's top notch management team decided that his was the best way or enough promotion for an album like this one
7) At a minimum, I would have thought that an interview and cover of Rollingstone would have been done

I hope more is to come from the band...but damn, this was a poor start IMO

[bigcash2002]

just makes u wonder if all the diehards didnt buy 2 and 3 albums a piece how many it would've sold?

Great point.  That makes the sales numbers more pathetic.  For example, I purchased 15 or so on the 23rd.  I am sure I will probably purchase at least another 12 copies before it is all said and done.

 I have been giving them to friends and others that love music to try and bring something good to people that may have not purchased it.  Maybe, in my own funny way, I am promoting the band throughout Ohio

[JuicySwoos]

I know of one for sure.  She lived with me back in 06' when the first batch of songs leaked, she loved Better and SOD/Blues.  She was a first day buyer, although I hounded her for a couple weeks prior to release. 

You could tell she was a first time buyer because a couple days after she texted me and asked.....so the original band got back together right?   I replied that Axl is in the band and that's all that matters for now

Who knows whether the die hard purchasing had too much of an effect on the overall sales, other than maybe it was enough to at least get the album number 3.  Without the die hards buying mutliple copies it could have landed at number 4.   I snagged 12 copies, and may pick up one more vinyl.

[Dot]

so the original band got back together right?   

Who knows, maybe she?s foreseeing the future. Anyway, The album has sold more than Spaghetti...which is good considering that, even though GnR back then was not at their peak, the classic lineup was still together. You might also want to consider that it ain?t easy to have a rock record go to number 1, if you are not pop, then you?ll have to settle for a second or third place, with exceptions of course.

[BKinNYC]

I think "This I Love" could very well be the SCOM of the new generation. Younger people will eat that song up once they hear it. I really hope it will be the next single after "Better", because I want to see the younger kids embrace GN'R the way I did all those years ago.
[/quote

I love This I Love, but I have to disagree, for a few reasons:

1.  Try singing along to it.  At that high range, it's impossible for the average person on the street to even attempt it.   

2.  There's no chorus to it.  No hook.  There are two or three succinct parts to Sweet Child that everybody knows, even if you're not a big fan.

3.  Even a long epic ballad like November Rain had a chorus that was catchy, and that's why it had such a long shelf life, even to this day.

[JuicySwoos]

what is the "chorus" to november rain?

[ShotgunBlues1978]

How is there no chorus to This I Love?

So if she's somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There's no one else that ever made me feel I was so alive
I hoped she'd never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I searched the universe and found myself within her eyes

That's the chorus right there