The Mic Toss

[dolphins]

Sorry this happened to your friend, it wouldn't matter if he caught it or paid for it. He would be really crushed & you should report the matter to GNR management & maybe even tweet the band members if you do twitter. If I went to a show & caught the mic & someone who was as big a fan for so long as your friend I would just give it to them (after a photo of me with it  ) for nothing as I'm fairly new & know how much it would mean to them.
Not everyone is as mean spirited as the security workers - definitely put in a complaint. I doubt it is thrown into the audience for security to retrieve it 

[saltzy23]

I actually got a call back from The Joint/Hard Rock Security.
 
According to the guy I spoke with security was instructed to recapture the mic after every show during this run and return it to the production team, i.e Team GnR.
 
I find that pretty hard to believe after so many people have been allowed to keep it before, and it is known that Axl wants a fan to have it at the end of every show, but that is what I am being told.   He actually told me I am far from being the 1st person that has called during the residency to complain about this shit.
 
I also told him that it is fucking RETARDED to let Axl Rose throw a mic into a bunch of drunken adults at 3AM for fucking NOTHING, and he pretty much agreed with me.
 
At least they had the decency to call me back and tell me their side of the situation.  Now I just need to confirm that's the case with the GnR team and I guess I will be able to let it go.

It seems like my story has got to a few people here and on the other GnR message board who are trying to help me out.  It's really appreciated.

I'm sure that 99.9% of the people they take the mic from don't care,  just let it go, or have no idea they were entitled to it.  I, I am that .01% that is going to do everything I can to get it the fuck back. 

[The Prez]

  I, I am that .01% that is going to do everything I can to get it the fuck back. 

Will you then also pay back 100$ to the guy who actually catched it? 

I'm sure Axl doesn't really know and care about this shit. (mic's that need to be returned to the security that is).

On the other hand I understand that this situation must suck big time for you! With a bit of luck, GN'R camp gets aware of this and you might be invited backstage (who knows!) to compensate and get one of the many mic's they have 

[saltzy23]

  I, I am that .01% that is going to do everything I can to get it the fuck back. 

Will you then also pay back 100$ to the guy who actually catched it? 

I'm sure Axl doesn't really know and care about this shit. (mic's that need to be returned to the security that is).

On the other hand I understand that this situation must suck big time for you! With a bit of luck, GN'R camp gets aware of this and you might be invited backstage (who knows!) to compensate and get one of the many mic's they have 

Absolutley.  I mean, if that was possible and all.

There are many, many people here that understand the psyche of one Axl Rose more than I do, but yeah, I kinda do think he would care.  First off, as much as the guy pretends to not give a shit about anyone I've seen and heard him tell people getting too rowdy at shows to knock it the fuck off a few times.  I've also read a few stories about him telling security to let the person that caught the mic to have it on here and the other GnR message board.  Plus, again, what the hell is the point of throwing what's basically the equivilant of a gold bar into a crowd of drunken adults at 3am (in Vegas no less), for no reason whatsoever.  Someone is gonna get their head split open for absolutley nothing.  Either stop tossing it into the crowd, or let the person that gets it keep it.  I'm not really even sure how that is debateable.

[Halo69]

Probably some smart ass security guy who wanted to have the mic, so he can auction it on Ebay. I wouldn't have given him the mic, and i would have created confusion enough for Axl to see what was happening from the stage, if he was still on stage. I bet Axl would say something!

[saltzy23]

A poster on the other message board was able to get this reply from Bumblefoot regarding this, and other issues the band has been having with the venue:

"just sent a 5th or 6th letter to 'management' saying *again* that we need to talk to security about them mistreating the fans. I've been trying to make things better, from meet-n-greet scheduling to allowing signs & banners, been feeling like a union rep for fans, lol, but it's gotta be done. I didn't agree to have 9-year-old girls have their 'happy birthday' signs confiscated - see why I lose my shit?? lol All I can say is *I tried* and if fans continue to be mistreated it's not coming from Axl & the band.I am now 100% sure that no one in the band, nor it's management has ever instructed anyone at The Joint to recapture the mic at the end of the show."

I am about to place another, slighly less polite call to The Hard Rock right now, and basically every day going forward until they either A. Specifically state who the fuck gave this order or B. Give my friend the fucking mic back.

I've got nothing but time right now, and I am going to make this as unpleasant for them as humanly possible.

They screwed with the wrong guy, and at the ABSOLUTE worst possible time in his life to screw with him.

[aranxas]

As someone that has seen security waaaaay to many times mistreating fans, mostly by snatching stuff thrown from the stage, I'm really, really impressed about what you're doing.  It's probably the best time to complain (considering the fact that the band is going to play a few more times at the Joint in the next days) and I seriously hope some of these so-called "security' get to lose their jobs for this type of behavior.

Someone who is going to the remaining gigs of the Residency should try to film the security taking the mic, it would be the ultimate proof for the hard Rock management.

Also, has anyone seen what happens to guitar picks thrown by DJ/Richard/Bumble that fall into the photo pit? Do the security guys snatch those too or do they hand them to the rightful owners, the Front-Row FANS? 'cause keeping them is just the same as taking the mic back, although at a smaller scale...

[Gunsguy]

Maybe Jarmo can shed some light on the issue?

[saltzy23]

Maybe Jarmo can shed some light on the issue?

He is actually working on it for me.  I am sincerely appreciative to all the people that have helped me in this little quest of mine. 

As someone that has seen security waaaaay to many times mistreating fans, mostly by snatching stuff thrown from the stage, I'm really, really impressed about what you're doing.  It's probably the best time to complain (considering the fact that the band is going to play a few more times at the Joint in the next days) and I seriously hope some of these so-called "security' get to lose their jobs for this type of behavior.

Someone who is going to the remaining gigs of the Residency should try to film the security taking the mic, it would be the ultimate proof for the hard Rock management.

Also, has anyone seen what happens to guitar picks thrown by DJ/Richard/Bumble that fall into the photo pit? Do the security guys snatch those too or do they hand them to the rightful owners, the Front-Row FANS? 'cause keeping them is just the same as taking the mic back, although at a smaller scale...

Thank you man.  From my experience, in this world people are gonna take from you whatever you let them take.  I may get this mic back, I may not, but at least I am making myself heard and getting the word out so that hopefully no one else gets screwed.  That alone gives me satisfaction.

Again, this was a shared dream my buddy and I have had since 1996 when we met in college.  Now that I know the band had nothing to do with this and it was unjustifibly taken away from us I may not get it back, but I assure you it won't be without a fight.

I just left another VM, but this time with the Head of Security for all of The Hard Rock, Edwin Gatlin, stating that I have now been provided proof by an ACTUAL MEMBER OF THE BAND that said they never agreed to or stipulated this policy, and that he is not pleased with the way their fans have been treated at their shows there in general.

Fuck you Hard Rock.

[wight gunner]

If Axl wanted to keep the mic he wouldn't chuck it, end of....

[cappy p]

FWIW I was dead center five feet back last night
The mic came down in my area and security was in the crowd
Looking for it immediately  :

[Mr. Redman]

They are claiming that Axl was told NOT to throw his mic out during the residency and if they are able to get it, then they have to get it back.Which is a crock of shit if ya ask me.

Put it this way, they're pulling me out in handcuffs if they try and take it from me.

[saltzy23]

They are claiming that Axl was told NOT to throw his mic out during the residency and if they are able to get it, then they have to get it back.Which is a crock of shit if ya ask me.

Put it this way, they're pulling me out in handcuffs if they try and take it from me.

See, this is why I love the internet.

So, just so everyone knows the Hard Rock is telling anyone that calls up and asks why they are reclaiming the mic that the band's management had requested they do so.  In other words, lying.  Lying to save a few thousand bucks over the course of a few months.  For a casino in Las Vegas.  That is absolutley spectacular.

What a cheap fucking thing to do to save a few bucks. 

I'll never give that place another cent of mine.

[dolphins]

Saltzy you may not get the actual mic that was thrown the night you were there but with this fight you're putting up it's possible you could get a replacement one. Would that not be the same or would you be just as happy with that? 

[Lord Stan]

They are claiming that Axl was told NOT to throw his mic out during the residency

This could actually be true. Some local laws could state that you can not do that. The reason being something along to the lines of causing havoc.

How does it go? If Axl is told not to throw the mic it's kind of hard to understand why he does it. I'm no lawyer or couldn't care less about the rules as such but if they are in place then they might be forced.

[axlrosegnr]

They are claiming that Axl was told NOT to throw his mic out during the residency

This could actually be true. Some local laws could state that you can not do that. The reason being something along to the lines of causing havoc.

How does it go? If Axl is told not to throw the mic it's kind of hard to understand why he does it. I'm no lawyer or couldn't care less about the rules as such but if they are in place then they might be forced.

May be so, but in this case it seems that them trying to get it back is causing more havoc than if they just let it go.

[Gunsguy]

I donno if anyone does get a hold of a mic just put it down pants and walk out fast

As for the rules here and who says what I am unsure about it.  The mic he throws at the end is a "dummy" mic not the one he uses during the entire show

[dolphins]

Maybe they should have a lucky ticket number & draw it at the end of the night. That way security has no chance 

[One.In.A.Million]

A poster on the other message board was able to get this reply from Bumblefoot regarding this, and other issues the band has been having with the venue:

"just sent a 5th or 6th letter to 'management' saying *again* that we need to talk to security about them mistreating the fans. I've been trying to make things better, from meet-n-greet scheduling to allowing signs & banners, been feeling like a union rep for fans, lol, but it's gotta be done. I didn't agree to have 9-year-old girls have their 'happy birthday' signs confiscated - see why I lose my shit?? lol All I can say is *I tried* and if fans continue to be mistreated it's not coming from Axl & the band.I am now 100% sure that no one in the band, nor it's management has ever instructed anyone at The Joint to recapture the mic at the end of the show."

I am about to place another, slighly less polite call to The Hard Rock right now, and basically every day going forward until they either A. Specifically state who the fuck gave this order or B. Give my friend the fucking mic back.

I've got nothing but time right now, and I am going to make this as unpleasant for them as humanly possible.

They screwed with the wrong guy, and at the ABSOLUTE worst possible time in his life to screw with him.

Wow, what a nice gesture from Ron in trying to at least shed some light on this issue and get it resolved. Well there you have it, Axl and the band are not instructing anyone to take back the mic, so if you do get it, refuse to give it back. 

[Lord Stan]

The mic he throws at the end is a "dummy" mic not the one he uses during the entire show

Is that so? Some little source would be useful. Not saying that it's not true. Could be true but those mics aren't that expensive compared to the whole cost of the show.