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  • 7
    Nov
    2012
    9:15am, EST

    Guns 'N Roses promo artwork removed over implied sexual assault images

    hardrockhotel.com

    An amended version of the Guns 'N Roses artwork being pulled from the Hard Rock Cafe.

    By Rolling Stone

    The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas has apologized for controversial ads for Guns N' Roses' "Appetite for Democracy" residency there, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

    The hotel has promised to modify the poster, which depicts a robotic monster standing over a woman who is slumped against a wall with a breast exposed and underwear around her ankles. The image is based on the cover art Guns N' Roses had intended to use for its 1987 album "Appetite for Destruction." The band switched the cover after several music retailers refused to stock the album.

    Axl Rose promises new Guns N' Roses album "sooner" than "Chinese Democracy"

    The "Appetite for Democracy" promos drew fierce criticism from  Clark County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow, as well as Safe Nest, a local women's shelter, who argued the image suggested sexual assault. The ad appears on the Guns N' Roses website selling tickets to their shows at the hotel's venue, the Joint, while a slightly cleaned-up version (without the exposed breast and underwear) appeared in mainstream advertising including newspaper promos and taxicab placards. 

    "It’s very frustrating to see approval – almost a celebration – of rape and violence against women," said Lisa Lynn Chapman, a Safe Nest spokeswoman. "Our community has enough issues with domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and so many other violent issues that to have this being paraded around town on taxicabs and in advertising is very offensive."

    Axl Rose tells "Kimmel" he "leans Obama" but won't vote


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    The posters and show also coincided with the temporary renaming of the Vegas street Paradise Road (which runs alongside the Hard Rock) to Paradise City Road, an homage to one of Guns N' Roses biggest hits. Scow, who represented the county at the re-naming event, said she was unaware of the ad at the time, adding, "It’s clearly inappropriate. Maybe it’s the risk of doing business with a rock band, but I guess we’ll have some remorse over this decision. It’s a lesson learned."

    Original ad that was pulled can be viewed here. Warning: mild nudity.

    Related content:

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  • 1
    Oct
    2012
    7:22pm, EDT

    Axl Rose agrees to rare interview on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

    By Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

    Theo Wargo / Getty Images file

    Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses performs in New York City in February.

    Axl Rose has agreed to a very rare television interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to promote the upcoming Guns N' Roses shows at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The "Appetite for Democracy" shows begin Oct. 31st and run for 12 dates through Nov. 24th. Axl will appear on the show on Wednesday, Oct. 24th. As is customary with the Kimmel show, the interview will be broadcast on a one-hour tape delay.

    More from RollingStone.com: Guns N' Roses to take over Vegas with 'Appetite for Democracy'

    Guns N' Roses have been touring pretty steadily over the past few years, but Rose has agreed to very few interviews. He did appear on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" in November of 2011, where he explained why he's often late to his shows. "A lot of this goes way, way back to 1991, when we were super late going on stage," Rose said. "I should not have been on tour. I went on tour for three reasons – my manager booked a tour without authorization. If Slash died of heroin,  it's my fault. And Slash pushing me." 

    RollingStone.com exclusive: Slash on 'closing the book on Guns N' Roses' at Hall of Fame

    A quick glance at Ticketmaster reveals that plenty of seats are still available for the Las Vegas shows, which likely explains Rose's decision to agree to this interview.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, though Rose opted to not attend the ceremony. Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Steven Adler performed with Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy in Axl's place.

    On Oct. 20th and 21st, Guns N' Roses will perform rare acoustic sets at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit. 

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  • 29
    Aug
    2012
    8:01am, EDT

    Slash: I caught mom naked with David Bowie once

    Getty Images file

    Slash and David Bowie.

    By Rolling Stone

    Slash revealed that his mother had an affair with David Bowie in an interview with Australian radio station Triple M, recalling that he once discovered them naked when he was a little kid. 

    24 albums you need to hear this fall

    "My mom started working professionally with David Bowie at first," said Slash, whose mom was a costume designer. "I'm pretty sure that's how it started and then it turned into some sort of mysterious romance that went on for a while after that."

    The guitarist remembers seeing a lot of Bowie at the time -- quite literally, on one occasion. "I caught them naked once," Slash said. "They had a lot of stuff going on, but my perspective at eight was limited. Looking back on it, I knew exactly what was going on."

    Best movies of Summer 2012

    Despite the potentially awkward encounter, Slash remembers Bowie fondly. "He was cool," the rocker said. "I liked David a lot."


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    Listen to the interview, courtesy of Triple M.

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  • 10
    Jul
    2012
    7:11pm, EDT

    Charlie Sheen slams Axl Rose at Slash's Walk of Fame ceremony

    By Rolling Stone

    Less than three months after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Slash received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday. Speakers included producer Robert Evans, radio host Jim Ladd and Charlie Sheen, who had the best line of the ceremony.

    Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

    Charlie Sheen speaks as Slash (Saul Hudson, right) is a honored with a star on Tuesday, July 10, in Hollywood.

    "It's quite fitting that Slash is getting a star on the very street Axl Rose will one day be sleeping on," he said. "This star is going to be stepped on more than the coke we did in the '80s."


    Follow @msnbc_ent

    More from RollingStone.com: Slash: 'Axl Rose hates my guts'

    Slash covered his face to hide his laughter during the Axl crack, but if the odds of a Guns N' Roses were a trillion-to-one before Tuesday, they just got a bit slimmer. Also, don't expect Axl to be guesting on Sheen's new show, "Anger Management," anytime soon – regardless of how badly he needs actual anger management. 

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  • 20
    Jun
    2012
    3:25pm, EDT

    Axl Rose face-plants during Guns N' Roses show


    Follow @msnbc_ent
    By Anna Chan, TODAY

    Oh Axl Rose. You're clearly not the spry, energetic young rock star you once were at the height of Guns N' Roses' fame. When the latest version of the band performed at Hellfest in France on Saturday, Axl fell face first onto a platform on stage during "Sweet Child o' Mine."

    Keep your eyes on the right side of the stage:

    Watch on YouTube

    Sure, the veteran performer recovered quickly, but perhaps he wasn't feeling so hot on this tour. A full video of the Saturday gig on YouTube revealed a totally uninspired performance of "Sweet Child" by the GNR frontman. (The clip was later yanked, but here's a performance of a similar energy level from Axl on April 6 in the Netherlands.) That fall would've been totally excusable had he been channeling a smidgen of the energy he once had on stage. But instead of running, jumping and dancing around vigorously as he once did, the frontman strolled slowly back and forth during the performance of one of the band's biggest hits. No wonder the crowd seemed to lack energy as well. (No dancing at a rock show? No moshing? What is this world coming to?!?)

    And no, Axl's certainly not the first (nor will he be the last) performer to fall. Check out these others:

    Jennifer Lopez quickly recovered at the 2009 American Music Awards:

    Watch on YouTube

    Steven Tyler in South Dakota in 2009, where he unfortunately sustained some injuries:

     

    Watch on YouTube

    Kanye West in Norway in 2011:

    Watch on YouTube

    Lady Gaga in Houston in 2011:

     

    Watch on YouTube

    Have you ever witnessed a performer stumble during a concert you attended? Tell us about it on Facebook.

    Follow @Anna_Banana

     

     

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  • 15
    Apr
    2012
    1:16am, EDT

    Guns N' Roses, Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys among new class in Rock Hall

    By Msnbc.com staff and wire services

    Mike Coppola / Getty Images

    Red Hot Chili Peppers inductee Jack Irons, inductee Cliff Martinez, inductee Chad Smith, inductee Michael Balzary aka Flea and inductee Josh Klinghoffer, at the 27th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Cleveland, Ohio.

    Axl Rose may regret missing this bash.

    The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a musical celebration that in past years has included awkward moments, touching tributes and unforgettable performances, kicked off Saturday night in Cleveland's historic Public Hall where 6,000 fans, 1,400 well-heeled guests and many of music's biggest stars partied with the class of 2012.

    Hard rockers Guns N' Roses headlined this year's eclectic group of inductees. Others are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, folk icon Donovan, late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro and British bands the Small Faces and Faces.

    Rose, the Guns N' Roses lead singer with an affinity for drama, skipped the event after years of bitter feuding with his former "Appetite for Destruction" bandmates, and his name earned catcalls from the crowd when it was mentioned.

    Boos rang out from some of the 6,000 in attendance early in the evening when Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, asked the crowd "who was missing" as members of Guns N' Roses were up on stage accepting their award.

    "Most singers are crazy. I can vouch for that," Armstrong told the audience. He praised Rose: "He is one of the best front man to ever touch a microphone." Then added: "Sometimes you have to look back at chapters of your life to move forward."

    Cleveland rocked without him. Green Day got the show started with a rousing performance.

    Although he asked not to be inducted, the hall plans to enshrine him with whether Rose likes it or not. Rose was the first artist to publicly snub the honor since surviving members of punk rockers the Sex Pistols, inducted in 2006, refused to attend the ceremony.

    As the ceremony approached, fans gathered on the sidewalks outside the historic venue, which hosted the Beatles in 1964, for a peek at some of rock's royalty.

    Alice Cooper was the fan favorite on the red carpet, signing autographs, telling printable stories and waving in response to cheers of "Alice, Alice!"

    "New York is glitz, Cleveland is the nuts and bolts," said Cooper, comparing the cities that share the rock hall induction ceremonies, which are held at New York's Waldorf-Astoria and come to Cleveland every third year.

    "I'm from the Midwest. Cleveland feels normal to me," said Cooper, dressed in a decidedly Hollywood-style black no-lapel tuxedo with a flowered shirt.

    Cooper, standing under a canvass canopy protecting against threatening skies, marveled at the scene and said he was glad to be around.

    "It's our version of the Academy Awards," he said. "If you can stay alive to 27 — that seems to be the expiration date for rock stars."

    Funk icon George Clinton made a splashy entrance, arriving in a silver bullet-shaped vehicle familiar to amusement park thrill riders. Wearing a gray herringbone coat and black fedora, he stood and waved from the back seat.

    Darlene Love, who performed "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" for deceased inductee Don Kirshner, showed some love to her Rust Belt fans when she arrived. "They show their appreciation," said Love, glamorous in a one-shoulder red dress, black wrap and red clutch purse.

    "Good to see you," she cooed.

    Rose isn't the only lead singer missing.

    Rod Stewart, who was to be inducted and perform with Faces, came down with the flu this week.

    "I'm absolutely devastated," Stewart said in a statement. "Shattered that I'm going to miss my second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — and this time alongside my mates."

    Like Guns N' Roses, the Red Hot Chili Peppers emerged from Los Angeles during the 1980s when Sunset Strip's rock scene was dominated by "hair" bands more concerned with their tight lycra pants and eyeliner than their sound. Not the Chili Peppers, who found their unique groove by blending funky hooks and a punk ethos.

    While their lineup has undergone some changes — founding guitarist Hillel Slovak died of a heroin overdose in 1988 — lead singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea have survived personal highs and lows and the band remains one of music's top live acts.

    Three white middle-class smart alecks from New York, the Beastie Boys were initially dismissed as beer-swilling frat boys following their 1986 debut album "License To Ill," which featured songs like "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)" and "Girls." But their follow-up, "Paul's Boutique," was acclaimed by critics and brought the Beasties credibility in the black hip-hop community.


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    John Mellencamp inducted Donovan, who had a string of hits in the '60s with "Sunshine Superman," "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Mellow Yellow."

    The influential Nyro, who died in 1997, was inducted by her son, Gil Bianchini. Smokey Robinson will induct long-deserving backup bands for early rock artists. The group includes Buddy Holly's The Crickets, James Brown's The Famous Flames, Bill Hailey's The Comets and Robinson's The Miracles.

    Blues artist Freddie King was being inducted as an early influence. Carole King inducted Kirshner, who launched Prince and the Eagles. New Orleans engineer Cosimo Matassa, engineer-producer Tom Dowd and engineer-producer Glyn Johns were also enshrined.

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  • 12
    Apr
    2012
    1:25pm, EDT

    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame responds to Axl Rose's diss

    By Peter Gicas, E! Online

    Well, we already know that Axl Rose won't be knockin' on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's door.


    Follow @ msnbc_ent

    After all, the singer made it more than perfectly clear in an open letter yesterday that he has no desire to be inducted this Saturday as a founding member of Guns N' Roses.

    So what does the music shrine in Cleveland have to say about the singer's decision?

    MORE: Sorry, Guns N' Roses Fans--Axl Rose Rejects Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    "We are sorry Axl will not be able to accept his induction in person," a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame spokesperson tells E! News. "We are looking forward to still inducting Guns N' Roses this weekend and will proceed forward with our original plan whether Axl is present or not."

    While Rose himself obviously has no plans on being there for the ceremony, the Los Angeles Times reports that other members of the band are still expected to attend, including Slash and Duff McKagan.

    PHOTOS: Rock Star Kids

    In his letter, Rose wrote, in part: "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of Guns N' Roses."

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  • 11
    Apr
    2012
    7:52pm, EDT

    Axl Rose declines induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    By Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

    Theo Wargo / Getty Images

    Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses is declining to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    It's official: Axl Rose will be not be attending this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

    "I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Rose wrote in a long letter obtained by the L.A. Times. "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of 'Guns N' Roses.'" 

    The announcement follows months of speculation regarding what, exactly, would happen at the April 14th ceremony in Cleveland. Axl Rose and Slash haven't shared a stage since 1993 and bad blood between the former bandmates has persisted for years. "He hates my guts," Slash told Rolling Stone earlier this month. "It's over a lot of different stuff; I don't even know. There's just no communication between us."

    More from RollingStone.com: Steven Adler: 'My toes are crossed' for a GnR Hall of Fame reunion

    In his letter, Rose says that the ceremony put him in a difficult position. "I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision," he wrote.  "Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, 'damned if I do, damned if I don't' scenario all the way around."

    In recent weeks, Slash, Matt Sorum, Dizzy Reed, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler have all indicated that they plan on attending the ceremony. It's unclear if Izzy Stradlin plans on attending. Green Day are set to give their induction speech, though it's unknown if they plan on performing as well. 


    Follow @ msnbc_ent

    Guns N' Roses fans have been hoping to see a reunion of the classic lineup for years, but Rose once again makes it clear that he has no interest. "Time to move on," he wrote. "People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another's, or in this case several others', expense."

    More from RollingStone.com: Guns N' Rose, Chili P eppers chosen for Rock Hall

    Here is Rose's complete letter:

     

    To: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,

    When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation.

    Since then we've listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall Of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N' Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists' comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts.

    Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking into consideration the history of Guns N' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in "our" induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things... no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected.

    For the record, I would not begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such. Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It's their show not mine.

    That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

    I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of "Guns N' Roses".

    This decision is personal. This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp's perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn. Though unfortunately I'm sure there will be those who take offense (God knows how long I'll have to contend with the fallout), I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision. Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, "damned if I do, damned if I don't" scenario all the way around.

    In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I've publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing's changed.

    The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of "for the fans" or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DJ Ashba. 

    Izzy came out with us a few times back in '06 and I invited him to join us at our LA Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned. Duff joined us in 2010 and again in '11 along with his band, Loaded, opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future for a song or two, that's enough.

    There's a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light, there isn't room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion.

    Maybe if it were you it'd be different. Maybe you'd do it for this reason or that. Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We're there for each other when the going get's rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can.

    So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another's, or in this case several others', expense.

    But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the "no show, grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn't care about the fans" crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let's move on. No one's taking the ball and going home. Don't get it twisted. For more than a decade and a half we've endured the double standards, the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. Not to imply anything in this particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court.

    In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as ironic as it may seem, I'd like to sincerely thank the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. More importantly I'd like to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we've had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N' Roses music.

    I wish the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!!

    Sincerely,

    Axl Rose

    P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III

    What do you think about the GnR frontman's decision and letter? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • 2
    Apr
    2012
    1:33pm, EDT

    Slash says Rock Hall reunion doubtful because Axl Rose 'hates my guts'

    Roadrunner Records via AP

    Slash says his relationship with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose will keep the band from playing together when they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this month.

    By Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

    When Guns N' Roses get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, nobody knows exactly what else will happen -- including Slash. "This is a subject I'm dead sick of talking about," the guitarist says. "Everyone has been asking me what's going to happen, and they know as much as I do. I feel you're totally obligated to be present and I would love to [expletive] play, but it's just something that's not gonna happen for whatever reason."

    Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler are all committed to going to the Cleveland ceremony, but it's unclear whether guitarist Izzy Stradlin or Axl Rose will be present. One sticking point for Axl may be the presence of Slash, whom he called a "cancer" in 2009.

    "He hates my guts," says Slash. "It's over a lot of different stuff; I don't even know. There's just no communication between us. I talk to Duff and Steven, but when it comes to old Guns N' Roses, there really isn't anybody that makes decisions."

    Slash recently patched up his troubles with former Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland, to the point where the group was able to reform for a four-song set at a Los Angeles charity concert in January. "It was great to see Scott," says Slash. "I hadn't seen him in a while. He sang great, and afterwards we all shook hands and took off."

    Besides that one-off show, Velvet Revolver have been completely inactive since Scott Weiland quit in 2008. "We've been looking for singers and we talk on a regular basis," says Slash. "Every so often, Duff and I get together behind the scenes, reconvene and audition people and so on. So it's still active."

    The rehearsals have been conducted largely in secret, though the fact that they considered Slipsknot's Corey Taylor did leak to the press. "There was a rehearsal with Corey," says Slash. "It was a songwriting session and nothing really came of it. It's more my fault than anybody's because I was like, 'I don't know if this is the right thing.' Corey is obviously a [expletive] awesome frontman and he's a great singer, but it's just a different style than what I had in mind for Velvet. I was the odd man out on that one."

    In the meantime, Slash is focused on his new solo album "Apocalyptic Love," which hits shelves on May 22. Unlike his 2010 debut "Slash," which was recorded with a rotating cast of all-star singers, Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy sings on every track on the LP. They first met just a few years ago, when Kennedy was recruited to sing a track on "Slash." The guitarist called him up when he learned that Kennedy had auditioned to sing on Led Zeppelin's planned (but ultimately aborted) 2008 tour. "I was like, 'This guy's gotta be [expletive] good,'" says Slash. "Jimmy Page was calling him up!"

    In 2010, Slash went on a grueling world tour with Kennedy, bassist Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz. "I didn't know any of them at the time," says Slash. "It turned out to be this one in a million thing. They were one of the most bitching rock and roll bands and groups of musicians that I'd ever worked with. So I thought, '[expletive], if I'm gonna make another record, I'll just do it with these guys.' And that's what happened." The group wrote the songs for "Apocalyptic Love" during downtime from the tour. "If I had any ideas, I would record them in the middle of the night in my hotel room or bus," says Slash. "I would e-mail them to Myles, and either in sound check or in the dressing room or whatever, we'd start honing in on some of these ideas. By the end of the tour we'd have, like, 20 songs." They recorded the album in late 2011 and early this year, after Kennedy finished up a tour with Alter Bridge. "He's got a great work ethic," says Slash. "He doesn't know what to do with himself when he's not busy."


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    The group kicks off an American tour this May, and if their March 23 warm-up show in Toronto was any indication, expect a lot of Guns N' Roses classics mixed in with solo material and cuts from Velvet Revolver and Slash's Snakepit. "There's a lot of Guns stuff that has so many lyrics per measure that it's not worth getting into," says Slash. "Some stuff is very signature Guns, to the point where I don't want to go there. We know 'Welcome To The Jungle,' we played it before, but I don't feel comfortable doing it. But there's other Guns standards that I really feel at ease playing every night. It's the same with Velvet Revolver."

    After going through extremely tumultuous breakups with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, Slash is thrilled to be in a group that functions peacefully. "I didn't know it could be as easy as this, because it just really hadn't ever been like that for me," says Slash. "The inspiration for me to play and go out and kick ass every night is very strong with these guys. That's all anybody wants to do. So the hassles of the road are totally tolerable when there's not a lot of unnecessary baggage that we have to navigate every [expletive] day."

    More from Rolling Stone:

    • Duff McKagan on Hall of Fame: 'I'll be there with bells on'
    • Guns N' Roses kick off tour with epic New York club show
    Show more
    Explore related topics: music, slash, axl-rose, guns-n-roses
  • 30
    Jan
    2012
    1:17pm, EST

    Guns N' Roses announces club tour

    By Anna Chan, TODAY

    Welcome to ... the nightclub?


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    Rock band Guns N' Roses, which has played to sold-out crowds at ginormous stadiums for countless tours, is getting intimate with fans. The group announced Monday that it is kicking off a series of shows in February in much smaller venues.

    GNR will kick off the tour, currently with six confirmed dates, at New York's Roseland Ballroom (maximum standing capacity of 3,200) on Feb. 10. Among the three New York shows is a gig at the 1,500-capacity Webster Hall, once known as The Ritz, where GNR filmed the MTV concert "Live at the Ritz" in 1988.

    Watch on YouTube

    The confirmed dates thus far:

    • Feb. 10: Roseland Ballroom, New York
    • Feb. 12: Terminal 5, New York
    • Feb. 15: Webster Hall, New York
    • Feb. 19: House of Blues, Chicago
    • Feb. 23: The Fillmore, Silver Spring, M.D.
    • Feb. 24: House of Blues, Atlantic City

    Joining the only remaining original member of the band, Axl Rose, on tour will be DJ Ashba, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, Ron Thal, Chris Pitman and Frank Ferrer.

    Tickets for the New York shows kick off at 10 a.m. ET on Jan. 31. The last three shows go on sale at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 1.

    Will you go check out the Slash- and Duff-less GNR in a smaller venue? Tell us on our Facebook page!

    Follow @Anna_Banana

     

    More in msnbc Entertainment:

    • Nickelback goes after haters on Twitter
    • Miss Piggy and Kermit fire back at FOX 
    • 'The Help' earns top honor at SAG Awards
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    Explore related topics: music, featured, guns-n-roses

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Anna Chan is the TV Editor for the Entertainment section of TODAY.com. and NBCNews.com.

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