Axl's new letter.

[CheapJon]

To: Cleveland, Ohio, Guns N' Roses Fans and everyone who's shown support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

I seriously didn't plan on or expect the overwhelmingly positive response and public support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. With such a generous outpouring of solidarity from fans, media outlets, writers and other artists, I'm truly humbled, blown away and unbelievably relieved! To be honest, I thought it would go the other way and was just hoping to weather the storm. As I said, I sincerely didn't want to disappoint anyone. It gets old being the outlaw even if "it's only rock and roll".

It took a lot of focus and soul searching to be sincere and informative while making a genuine effort to be somewhat diplomatic. We made, what I feel, are real efforts to learn about the Hall and the Board, spoke as I said with the president and various members, and though I inducted Elton John and Bernie Taupin in '94 saying something to the effect of "I'm learning what the Hall's about..."

I still don't exactly know or understand what the Hall is or how or why it makes money, where the money goes, who chooses the voters and why anyone or this board decides who, out of all the artists in the world that have contributed to this genre, officially "rock" enough to be in the Hall?

This isn't an attack. These are genuine issues I don't have enough verified information on to have more than rough ideas. Certainly not enough information to make any judgments about.

I would like to apologize to Cleveland, Ohio for not apologizing to them beforehand for not attending [the ceremony] in their city. I think they know how much I genuinely love performing there. Cleveland does in fact Rock!!

Now that the smoke's cleared a little, any desperate, misguided attacks have been just that, a pathetic stab at gossip, some lame vindictiveness, the usual entitlement crap, he's obsessed, crazy, volatile, a hater. I once bought a homeless woman a slice of pizza who yelled at me she wanted soup. We got her the soup. You can get your own.

Again: HUGE thanks to the fans and to everyone for the incredible public support. My congratulations to the other artists inducted. And my apologies to the city and people of Cleveland, Ohio. I hope you'll forgive me and we hope to see you again soon!

Keep Rockin',

Axl


Unlike my open letter to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern this was written for GNR's official website, Facebook account and my personal twitter account and not intended as a press release. If anyone does choose to pick this up as has been done previously I'd appreciate if you'd run in full including this paragraph so as not to give a partial picture, have things taken out of context or to imply or inadvertently give the impression this was intended for other outlets.

Thanks in advance. Peace-

[ChiDem2010]

Unlike my open letter to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern this was written for GNR's official website, Facebook account and my personal twitter account and not intended as a press release. If anyone does choose to pick this up as has been done previously I'd appreciate if you'd run in full including this paragraph so as not to give a partial picture, have things taken out of context or to imply or inadvertently give the impression this was intended for other outlets.

Thanks in advance. Peace-

A man with his own personal disclaimer! I'm glad Axl is getting the understanding from people especially the media (at least some it of that is) that is needed. The article that was released by Rollingstone.com I think regarding all of the other musicians/bands who chose not to attend the RARHOF really showed that he isn't alone in his opinions about the board and what it really is about. Way to go Axl!

[3STRANG3D]

To: Cleveland, Ohio, Guns N' Roses Fans and everyone who's shown support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

I seriously didn't plan on or expect the overwhelmingly positive response and public support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. With such a generous outpouring of solidarity from fans, media outlets, writers and other artists, I'm truly humbled, blown away and unbelievably relieved! To be honest, I thought it would go the other way and was just hoping to weather the storm. As I said, I sincerely didn't want to disappoint anyone. It gets old being the outlaw even if "it's only rock and roll".

It took a lot of focus and soul searching to be sincere and informative while making a genuine effort to be somewhat diplomatic. We made, what I feel, are real efforts to learn about the Hall and the Board, spoke as I said with the president and various members, and though I inducted Elton John and Bernie Taupin in '94 saying something to the effect of "I'm learning what the Hall's about..."

I still don't exactly know or understand what the Hall is or how or why it makes money, where the money goes, who chooses the voters and why anyone or this board decides who, out of all the artists in the world that have contributed to this genre, officially "rock" enough to be in the Hall?

This isn't an attack. These are genuine issues I don't have enough verified information on to have more than rough ideas. Certainly not enough information to make any judgments about.

I would like to apologize to Cleveland, Ohio for not apologizing to them beforehand for not attending [the ceremony] in their city. I think they know how much I genuinely love performing there. Cleveland does in fact Rock!!

Now that the smoke's cleared a little, any desperate, misguided attacks have been just that, a pathetic stab at gossip, some lame vindictiveness, the usual entitlement crap, he's obsessed, crazy, volatile, a hater. I once bought a homeless woman a slice of pizza who yelled at me she wanted soup. We got her the soup. You can get your own.

Again: HUGE thanks to the fans and to everyone for the incredible public support. My congratulations to the other artists inducted. And my apologies to the city and people of Cleveland, Ohio. I hope you'll forgive me and we hope to see you again soon!

Keep Rockin',

Axl


Unlike my open letter to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern this was written for GNR's official website, Facebook account and my personal twitter account and not intended as a press release. If anyone does choose to pick this up as has been done previously I'd appreciate if you'd run in full including this paragraph so as not to give a partial picture, have things taken out of context or to imply or inadvertently give the impression this was intended for other outlets.

Thanks in advance. Peace-

Why was this not posted on the official website, does anybody know? Whats your source CJ?

[FunkyMonkey]

Why was this not posted on the official website, does anybody know? Whats your source CJ?

It's on Axl's Twitter page, GN'R' Facebook, gunsnroses.com and the news section of this site.

[The Bedouin]

Why was this not posted on the official website, does anybody know? Whats your source CJ?

It's on Axl's Twitter page, GN'R' Facebook, gunsnroses.com and the news section of this site.

http://twitter.com/axlrose

[UK SUBS]

Regardless of your own personal opinion regarding Axl's absence from Cleveland, this latest startement (particulary the first few lines) gives a genuine insight to this mans honesty and almost (dare I say it) his insecurity? Top marks!

Right, enough!!
Get some sleep Axl, UK tour in sight 

[Z?phyr]

  All the best Axl, see you in Europe soon 

[Bodhi]

Great letter by Axl , really asks some valid questions about the Rock Hall that nobody else seems to ask.  People just accept things as they are, WHO is the Hall exactly, why do they get to choose?

Rock fans/music journalists shit on Axl a lot, but he is the real fucking deal!  He is exactly what the media used to like to think Kurt Cobain was.  The best part is Axl doesn't do it to be cool,hip or different, he is just being himself and doing things his way.  There is nothing more "rock n roll" than that.  

[cotis]

I think Bodhi sums up my thoughts on this rather well..

Rock fans/music journalists shit on Axl a lot, but he is the real fucking deal!  He is exactly what the media used to like to think Kurt Cobain was.  The best part is Axl doesn't do it to be cool,hip or different, he is just being himself and doing things his way.  There is nothing more "rock n roll" than that.  

His life is "easier" without the reunion shit coming up 24/7 like it was leading up to the HOF. Hopefully that will cease now.

[3STRANG3D]

hey thanks for confirming.

Human. Nothing more beautiful than just this. Thank you Axl!  


Enjoy! ~~ Da lemonjuice ~ ~ Kim! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2F_hGwD26g&feature=related

Rhetorical Q - Does he have any idea of how much people need him, even be it through statements on the internet? Well, I hope he does!  

[AxlReznor]

This letter seems a lot clearer than the last one. It was pretty cool of him to take the time to write it. Not sure if I agree with his decision or not still, but this has made me have a lot more understanding of it.

[3STRANG3D]

Great letter by Axl , really asks some valid questions about the Rock Hall that nobody else seems to ask.  People just accept things as they are, WHO is the Hall exactly, why do they get to choose?

Rock fans/music journalists shit on Axl a lot, but he is the real fucking deal!  He is exactly what the media used to like to think Kurt Cobain was.  The best part is Axl doesn't do it to be cool,hip or different, he is just being himself and doing things his way.  There is nothing more "rock n roll" than that.  

I questioned HOF as organisation too, I dont think people accept things as they are, they are just used on accepting the people they pay attention to, doing the things they are used of them to be doing, its different. I suppose its with what you say, anyway.

You compare Axl with Cobain now in relation to the media? No.goddamn.connection.at all whatsoever! Fact. Go back and read articles. anyway, whatever, I dont care, RIP Cobain.  

I dont agree with just being rnr. I mean it has some kind of deeper meaning to it, I mean to me. It always had , it always have but sometimes when we think too much we make things much more complicated than they already are, so nowdays I say its just rnr and it feels great. It feels light as a feather! I understand it, no need to elaborate or analyse it. at least thats how it works for me...

[Z?phyr]

Very humble and human letter, I really hope this whole reunion gossip era will or has come to an end now.

Respect & long live Rock N' Roll!

[Sergott]

I hope the next letter is thanking fans for buying the next album.

[dippadai123]

So, about him not going it was all about HOF, not knowing all details or what? It was not about former members?

dont get it

[GypsySoul]

So, about him not going it was all about HOF, not knowing all details or what? It was not about former members?

dont get it

Between this letter and the first one, I believe what Axl is saying is that there were many different reasons that contributed to his final PERSONAL decision not to attend.


Edited to add:  Don't know if this is one of the things Axl took into consideration but ....

(This is an article I originally posted in 2008.)

Based on this story, I'm surprised the artists don't boycott.  This is a sin. 

Source:  Globe (mag) >> April 7, 2008

ROCK & ROLL'S HALL OF SHAME

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation's failing miserably in its self-proclaimed mission to "provide financial assistance to individuals who have been...involved in the rock and roll music industry," blast sources.

The group doled out a measly $4,183 to poverty-stricken musicians last year - despite having assets worth a whopping $14 million!

And it's tight-fisted ways with other charitable causes have folks singing the blues, too.  One source says the foundation gave just four other handouts in 2007 - $475 to a medical charity, $500 to the City of Hope cancer-research center in Duarte, Calif., $167,000 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to pay for staff to maintain archives, and $25,000 to New York's Fund for Public Schools.

Yet, foundation head Joel Peresman was raking in a salary of $331,229, while the former head, Suzan Evans Hochberg, was still being paid a $150,000 salary two years AFTER Peresman took over!

In its 1999-2000 IRS filing, which listed $10 million in assets, the organization says it gave a mere $2,323 to down-and-out rockers for food, shelter and clothing.  Fumes a source, "Their coffers remain full while their attitude toward charity has been scant."

[14 Yrs Of Silence]

Nice reference to that Globe article Gypsy.  Axl's communications are always appreciated with the fans.  I'm glad he sees the response as positive.

[Siamese Democracy]

Enough of the HOF talk already!  I always love hearing from Axl, but let's talk about the future now, not the past.  The HOF needs to die down now.  To the general public I fear it has caused a world of confusion.

[3STRANG3D]

Enough of the HOF talk already!  I always love hearing from Axl, but let's talk about the future now, not the past. The HOF needs to die down now. To the general public I fear it has caused a world of confusion.

Well, I am afraid you will need a crystal ball to do this.


Axl has always been himself, this is what I think & there is nothing more Rn?R than just this! I have never watched him or read something about him where he was pretending. In my opinion, he has always been true, real and human, whether good, bad, crazy, sad, funny, peaceful, mad? oh damn whatever! & obviously for all these reasons he has been misconcepted from time to time. All I see on the media is motherfuckers pretending & I can?t FUCKIN stand this!

[Bandita]

Axl, class.