Comment from Traci Guns
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/tracii_guns_recalls_first_impression_of_axl_rose_says_process_behind_chinese_democracy_is_more_interesting_than_the_album_itself.htmlThe guitarist also praised Axl's efforts on the equally legendary and notorious "Chinese Democracy" record, arguing that the story behind it is more interesting than the album itself:
"I really love the whole process of 'Chinese Democracy' more than the album. The process was brilliant because, you have this kind of Howard Hughes guy, spending Geffen's dough and experimenting. Axl was really learning how to play guitar during those times as well... So, to me, that was like a great privilege for him to go through this creative process for years, and satisfy all his itches."
He added:
"None of us musicians that are any good are mentally stable. You don't become an extraordinary person in any way by being together, right? So with him, it's so great because he did that. He went out there, he toured it. He made a lot of other guys famous because he picked really good guys who could stand on their own two feet, which is very difficult... Buckethead, Bumblefoot, DJ Ashba — he brought all these people into the limelight, and, at that point, it's up to them whether they sink or swim, because they had the best frontman they're ever going to have."
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