Has time off saved Axl's voice?

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

Most rock stars can't touch Axl's range and his various singing styles can certainly do damage to a voice over a prolonged period of time.  Whether it be years of constant touring or hard partying, I can't imagine any of Axl's contemporaries from the late 80's that can still sing with the same intensity and precision as Axl does today.  So while the years of waiting for GN'R's return was difficult for us fans, I believe that today its a gift that Axl is capable of giving us the great performances that he has of late.  I'm really enjoying reading all of the positive reviews and am psyched for the future of this band.

[AdZ]

Or maybe he just has an awesome voice?

[Voodoochild]

I think Axl wasn't just resting all this time, he was pushing it to record too.

[Ashba Rocks]

Axl didnt sound great in the 02 tour, and the last time he performed before then was in 1993, 9 years 'rest'....

[Fspen]

Interesting theory.

Sebastian Bach, although younger than Axl, is a contemporary that still holds his own too...

Alot of older singers have to really strain to hit notes from their glory days.  Guys in their 60's, like Halford and Dio, come to mind.  They still sound fantastic, but there is a difference.  Hopefully Axl's voice is an anomaly and he can do this for another 10+ years.  Those of us seeing this tour are lucky!  He is in great form.  

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

Axl didnt sound great in the 02 tour, and the last time he performed before then was in 1993, 9 years 'rest'....

Two different things.  After 9 years, his voice may have naturally changed a bit, and after 9 years of not touring, he may be been a bit out of practice.  Yet, he still saved his voice, and with each subsequent tour he has sounded better.  My point is that had he been touring year after year, its entirely plausable that he may have lost some of what makes him great, his ability to hit high notes and the raspy vocals which are not his natural voice style.

[Ashba Rocks]

Hasnt he stopped smoking also? myabe that has something to do with it aswell

[D]

He has obviously done something since 2002.. Vocal coach maybe? cause if u go back and listen to 2002 and now.. its completely different.

[gcluskey]

Sebastian Bach still has an amazing voice. In 02 Axl's voice wasn't great at all. I understand he got some singing lessons from Baz's voice trainer which helped him get his old voice back. Singing a whole concert can't be easy though, especially singing like Axl does. For a 47 year old man to run about and scream his lungs out like that is amazing. I understand why he wears a headband now...to help incase he screams his brains out!

[D]

yeah but u have to understand, He takes care of his throat to.. didn't he stop smoking etc? lot of singers don't properly do as they should which is why they have to come down an octave. Also, Axl still misses notes, but he makes it up for it with his intensity and magnificent stage presence etc.

[Estranged#9]

The man has a throat of Gold !   add in some Awesomeness , and a side of Legend"ism"
and you get = W. Axl Rose   

[ppbebe]

i don't think his 2002 voice was bad at all. just that didn't fit old songs or old timer fans likings too much.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

A vocal coach.
A great throat doctor.

His vocal technique puts so much strain on his throat and vocal cords.  I wouldn't be surprised if he has had nodules through the years.  And of course, you need a lot of time to recover after you have a nodule removed.

And I think he still smokes, just not as often.  Whether it's cigars or that green ganja all you people are so crazy about.

[superstarmc]

It's the best it's been since 2001, at least.  The newspaper reviews can't even find anything to criticize him on.  I remember how Axl and particulary the rest of the band was crucified in 2002 and still some throughout 2006 but not as much.

[LunsJail]

Pretty sure he doesn't smoke anymore. Plus an occasional cigar isn't anything like smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day.

Hard living and age damages a lot of rock singers voices. I think Axl has been able to avoid or defy those factors.

[ppbebe]

agreed with LunsJail

Thats professionalism.

[Axl4Prez2004]

Man, I don't know.  Axl is un-fuckin'-believable.  As tours roll on he sounds better!  How the hell does he do that???
I try singing GNR in the car and after a half a song my voice is shot!

Conclusion:  Axl is not human.   

[audjon]

The man has a throat of Gold !   add in some Awesomeness , and a side of Legend"ism"
and you get = W. Axl Rose   

Axl, alias Gold Throat