Time to kill your Idols?

[Speedy Gonzales]

Hey,

I first listened to Appetite back in early 1988 in Germany. Ever since Guns has been my favorite Band...back then in the days without internet and living in Germany I was looking for bootlegs or Demo Tapes on flee markets, buying every magazine which had even the shortest note on them in order to memorize every little fact. I even knew the inlet of Appetite by heart and I tried to find information on every person mentioned in it.
For 4 years I refused to listen to anything else but GnR on my old walkman, up to the point where all my friends called me the craziest fanatic they ever encountered, but I did not care. In military service I hid the walkman under my helmet in order to listen to them during night exercies or long 40km walks.
Today 22 years later I still visit this site on a daily basis and look for new stuff posted on youtube when on business trips. My wife declared me crazy when I bought a "victory or death" sticker and paid 50$ for it in order to get it shipped from the Philippines and sticked it on the jacket I wore every day above my business suit. And she forbid our 4 year old daughter to wear the T-Shirt that I handcrafted for her with the GnR Logo on it.
I recently changed job and am now living in the Middle East, the first thing I did in the new office was to put up the GnR Logo on my wall....so you can imagine how excited I was to see that they will be playing Abu Dhabi soon....I heard about it when driving to work, I nearly crashed as I was so excited. Of course I already have my tickets for the show.

While I enjoy the new Youtube videos from 2010 I still sometimes miss the raw Guns attitude from my youth. The old line up that I considered my heroes. The guys whit who I identified myself, the Band that a confused, angry little kid took everything he could get from in order to make sense of a weird and confusing world. The music that helped me channel all the anger and frustration every half grown has.

How often have I hoped for the announcement of a re-union. At least one with Izzy on Rhythm Guitar, as I don't think Steven would ever happen. That said I wonder if a un-likely re-union would ever be able to live up to all the hopes and dreams people like I have. I guess it is not possible to turn back time. The Band that meant so much to me is gone...forever.

That said, I don't want to complain about this. Today, musically, the shows are a lot better than in the old days. From the show postings on Youtube you can see that the new line up is really into it, enjoying what they are doing, giving the crowds a great time. Axl is still a great frontman. I consider Chinese Democracy fantastic! I heard it for 1 year on my MP3 Player while doing work outs...so as you can see the enthuiasm is still there. What I wonder though is if the kids that never experienced how big guns where back then and what they stood for then will ever be able to appreciate their shows today. Does the new Band know what it means to play a show under the name of "Guns n'Roses"? Do they live up to that in a live show? Would the Rolling be the same without Keith Richards, Led Zeppelin without Jimmy Page?

This question came up as I last saw Guns live in 1993, the show in Munich where they took little pieces for the live footage of the Estranged Video! Now with about one month to go to the Abu Dhabi show I fear that seeing the new line up will somehow be disappointing. Again, don't get me wrong. The new Guns are great, the music is fantastic and they incorporate so many little new nuances to the old songs many people in the audience don't even notice. I admire Axl for what he has achieved musically, but isn't it like seeing a "Beatles" revival Band somehow? I saw Velvet Revolver live and it was a disappointment, not only because of Scott Weiland.

Has anyone had similar experiences? Has anyone seen them in a recent show after not having seen them for such a long while? How was it?
Is it time to "Kill your Idols" or is it just me that has to finally grow up and face that time goes by on and the old Guns are a great memory? One that no one can take away anyway. And, am I not a different person myself then I was 20 years ago?

Speedy Gonzales

[RusselNash]

Thrust me, you wont be disappointed, GNR is the best live act around...

[Gavgnr]

I got to see guns in 93, and 'new' guns in 06 and two weeks ago.

Trust me, it just gets better and better.

[One.In.A.Million]

You raise some good points, But trust me you will be blown away.

GN'R are on fire at the moment, and they play the appetite songs better than the originals. They are just superb musicians, and the attitute is still there, Axls' as fierce as ever.  

[Limulus]

everybody not having seen old Guns missed them at their peak....

[One.In.A.Million]

everybody not having seen old Guns missed them at their peak....

Maybe from a commercial stand point, and that's only because of the way the music industry has gone since the 90s. but how can you say that, if an individual prefers the newer members style?.

How can you say that to a Nu GN'R fan if you like?, who is not interested in the old members. 

[Limulus]

^^its not about who prefers what, i'm just saying that old GN'R was one of the biggest band in the early 90s (which factly aint the case since), about as big as The Rolling Stones, U2 and Led Zeppelin....and that belongs to the general definiton of the word "peak" in music.

[RusselNash]

^^its not about who prefers what, i'm just saying that old GN'R was one of the biggest band in the early 90s (which factly aint the case since), about as big as The Rolling Stones, U2 and Led Zeppelin....and that belongs to the general definiton of the word "peak" in music.

Take a look at today's "music" peaks, hanna montana, justin beaver.. there's nothing bigger than that..

This is not the 90's anymore, and GNR does not have the same success in the industry, and not because of the music(we all know that CD is a Classic). But i still think they are the biggest rock act around.

[RusselNash]

everybody not having seen old Guns missed them at their peak....

Maybe from a commercial stand point, and that's only because of the way the music industry has gone since the 90s. but how can you say that, if an individual prefers the newer members style?.

How can you say that to a Nu GN'R fan if you like?, who is not interested in the old members. 

I always liked the music, but i became a fan when i saw Rock In Rio 2001, just like many others.
I respect Slash and Co, but i really think that Axl would have been very succesful without them anyway.

[Limulus]

^^its not about who prefers what, i'm just saying that old GN'R was one of the biggest band in the early 90s (which factly aint the case since), about as big as The Rolling Stones, U2 and Led Zeppelin....and that belongs to the general definiton of the word "peak" in music.

Take a look at today's "music" peaks, hanna montana, justin beaver.. there's nothing bigger than that..

This is not the 90's anymore, and GNR does not have the same success in the industry, and not because of the music(we all know that CD is a Classic). But i still think they are the biggest rock act around.

its about rock/hardrock bands off course who play really live, not the pop artists, thats why GN'R have been in the same league as Led Zep, Stones and U2 etc. in early90s but they simply aint that big anymore, even Metallica and Iron Maiden are bigger these days, Metallica by far!
CD = classic....for fans who really like the album yes, for the general public it doesnt seem to work. dont get me wrong, there is no harm being fan of Nu Guns, people who werent born for Old Guns just couldnt experience them....just like older people might never have seen Beatles, Led Zep, Hendrix etc.....nothing you can do about.

[One.In.A.Million]

everybody not having seen old Guns missed them at their peak....

Maybe from a commercial stand point, and that's only because of the way the music industry has gone since the 90s. but how can you say that, if an individual prefers the newer members style?.

How can you say that to a Nu GN'R fan if you like?, who is not interested in the old members. 

I always liked the music, but i became a fan when i saw Rock In Rio 2001, just like many others.
I respect Slash and Co, but i really think that Axl would have been very succesful without them anyway.

I agree, and I think it's all subjective to ones opinion.

To me the Nu GN'R are better than the old band, and the reason I think this has nothing to do with album sales, or media coverage, or how many arenas they can fill. So you can say GN'R was at their peak in 92 due to media coverage or sales, but the fact is, times have changed. Even if all those guys were still in the band who were there in the old days, GN'R still would be as big as they are now I feel.

And that is all down to how the world is changing, and how much the music industry sucks. To me GN'R was at their peak in 2006, they was on fire. A successful tour in Europe and the US, and were about to embark on an Australian and Asia tour (07).

See it's all a matter of opinion, and that is mine.

[RusselNash]

^^its not about who prefers what, i'm just saying that old GN'R was one of the biggest band in the early 90s (which factly aint the case since), about as big as The Rolling Stones, U2 and Led Zeppelin....and that belongs to the general definiton of the word "peak" in music.

Take a look at today's "music" peaks, hanna montana, justin beaver.. there's nothing bigger than that..

This is not the 90's anymore, and GNR does not have the same success in the industry, and not because of the music(we all know that CD is a Classic). But i still think they are the biggest rock act around.

its about rock/hardrock bands off course who play really live, not the pop artists, thats why GN'R have been in the same league as Led Zep, Stones and U2 etc. in early90s but they simply aint that big anymore, even Metallica and Iron Maiden are bigger these days, Metallica by far!
CD = classic....for fans who really like the album yes, for the general public it doesnt seem to work. dont get me wrong, there is no harm being fan of Nu Guns, people who werent born for Old Guns just couldnt experience them....just like older people might never have seen Beatles, Led Zep, Hendrix etc.....nothing you can do about.

Not my case.. i was there when there was no GNR and when they where at is commercially peak, and to me in those days nothing came close to the quality/sound/live performances/records of Queen.


Metallica is more commercially successful because now they are like a brand, sell themselves is top priority.. music comes next.. and that's why i don't like the new "back to the roots kinda" album. 

Queen II it's a classic to me and not for the general public.. and you know what? it's their loss... 

[Limulus]

so you "feel" GN'R wouldnt be as big as in the early 90s if the old line-up was still around? subjective speculation here  and lots of other people "feeling" different.....they could very well be as big as the Stones.
and if we're up to do subjective definitions of the word "peak" the discussion isnt any good. doing so people can come and say they were at their peak during the demo days cause of energy, during the AFD era with all 5 classic/original members, during Bucket era, during Paul Huge era, in 2010 etc.
all wont change the fact that GN'R were in the same league with the bands i've mentioned before......which they simply aint now. and the "its-because-the-music-business-changed"-argument doesnt fit here at all, because if so....Metallica, U2 etc. wouldnt sell out stadiums all over the world, their hits wouldnt be played on radio, tv etc.   so yeah, peak has off course smth. to do with being successful, i would never say Steven Adler is at his peak in 2010 but if people see it different....discussions over to me.

[westcoast_junkie]

@Speedy Gonzales
Good writing. Lots of good points. Glad to hear you can see a live show in Abu Dhabi,  cause I bet you will be blown away. I din't see the old lineup live, but I've seen tons on tape And my opinion is that this recent lineup is better. Of course there is something special to everything "original", but when one can accept the fact that things change, one can also see that things can change for the better. And if I read you right, you are open too see this without "GnR ain't GnR without Slash"-glasses
Everything is of course relative, as I'm of the opinion that GnR never could have been GnR without Axl. He is what defines GnR in my eyes and ears and feelings. Just as maybe Queen can't be Queen without Freddie Mercury or Hanoi Rocks couldn't be Hanoi Rocks without Mike Monroe and Andy McCoy. But what Axl has done with Guns is to take them another step forward when I thought they couldn't be better. He included new Guns members who fit perfectly and have given a lot of consideration and work into this. I can honestly say that everyone in GnR gives me that great feeling of GnRishness. That shows what a great genius Axl is.  And it was well worth the time we waited for it 



And have a great show

[Speedy Gonzales]

What can I say?
Went to the show and it was really amazing....not only was I impressed by Axl, but also the others were great.
They really are so much better musically....

[westcoast_junkie]

Good for you Speedy!! I totally agree...(I have never seen the old line-up live though). Axl's at the top of his game

[One.In.A.Million]

What can I say?
Went to the show and it was really amazing....not only was I impressed by Axl, but also the others were great.
They really are so much better musically....

That's refreshing to see, after you go to an actual show, you can't deny the ability and epicness of this band, can you?. Leading up to the show, you may be thinking all kinds of things in your head, for instance, expectations or doubts. But when you face the power of Guns N' Roses live, there is not a chance on earth, you aren't going to be blown away.

They are the best live band in the world easily, forget all of these other acts who play "safe" shows. GN'R take it to another level and make the concert a special event that you will remember forever. 

[rebelhipi]

i doubt that if ??original?? gnr would reunion they wouldnt have that same rage or feeling because they are nearly 50years old and it just cant be long haired youngster hard rock again sure it would be something great but for me it would feel a bit fake
its really great that the old and current gnr are friends together look how good they treated duff in london and bumble played whit loaded also and axl is friends with the old guys i got nothing agains special guests like izzy and duff were that was really! cool! or even one show like that exemple axl in camp freddy for one show would be pretty neat  but a full reunion new cd tour... i dont see it

[rebelhipi]

or even if someone in the current band has to be replaced for exemple tommy and duff shows up its different or whoever

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

Hey Speedy.  I remember you asking about finding a victory or death patch on this site several years ago and I pointed you to that sticker!  Glad to hear you got it!

Also, good post and I'm glad you enjoyed the recent show.  My feelings are a bit of a mixed bag.  The original band was a real as it gets in terms of attitude and creating a classic that represented such a unique time and perspective.  Even if the original band never broke up, they couldn't continue to live up to what they did on AFD, because once you have money and get older, things change. However, on the other hand, had the original band continued on and made music throughout the 90s and 00s, and if Axl played along with the corporate and PR shit we know he despises, than the band would be much more commercially successful.  Clearly they faced an extremely uphill battle because things didn't go that way, so for them to still have as much success as they do is a testament to both their legacy and to the current band.  Personally I love this version of the band, they are all skilled, professional and seem to have great camaraderie. I would venture to guess that Axl is having the most fun on the road that he's had since 87-88 and that makes for a great show.