GNR Pulls Out Of 'Rock In Rio' Fest

Billboard ^ | 3.30.2004 | Barry A. Jeckell

[NYC GOP Chick]

GNR Pulls Out Of 'Rock In Rio' Fest

Guns N' Roses has canceled its scheduled May 30 headlining appearance at the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon. In a statement, sole original member Axl Rose places the blame on guitarist Buckethead, who has apparently exited the lineup.

"The band has been put in an untenable position by guitarist Buckethead and his untimely departure," Rose says. "During his tenure with the band Buckethead has been inconsistent and erratic in both his behavior and commitment -- despite being under contract -- creating uncertainty and confusion and making it virtually impossible to move forward with recording, rehearsals and live plans with confidence."

Rose cites Buckethead's interest in furthering a solo career first established with the 1992 release of a self-titled album on the Avant label. The masked artist, who is never seen in the flesh or without a KFC bucket on his head, will kick off a solo tour tomorrow (March 31) in Milwaukee supporting jam band Particle.

"It appears his plans were to secure a recording contract with Sanctuary Records which I encouraged my management to make available to him, quit GNR and to use his involvement in the upcoming Guns release to immediately promote his individual efforts," Rose says.

"There is not a member of this camp that is not hurt, upset and ultimately disappointed," Rose adds. "We as a whole definitely feel that we afforded Bucket every accommodation perhaps so much so that it may be that we, or more precisely, I may have done Guns a disservice and unintentionally allowed Guns to be put in this position."

The Rock in Rio appearance was to be the group's first since a disastrous 2002 comeback tour that was canceled with 13 dates remaining. "On behalf of Guns N' Roses and myself I apologize to the fans," Rose says. "The festival and its tradition mean a lot to me personally and I sincerely do not enjoy being robbed by one of our own of the opportunity to be the first artist to play it for the third time."

Rose admits that "there are obviously several issues to resolve" regarding Buckethead's longtime involvement and the band's long-awaited Geffen album "Chinese Democracy."

"In the meantime rather than dwelling on the negative, Guns will be moving forward," Rose says, "and surprisingly (without giving away any details) this unfortunate set of circumstances may have given us the opportunity to take our recording that one extra step further. Regardless we hope to announce a release date within the next few months."

[qam1]

Buckethead's interest in furthering a solo career first established with the 1992 release of a self-titled album on the Avant label.

Hey buckethead it's been 14 years, If that great solo career you planned on hasn't happened yet it's not going to.

Stick with Axil

[NYC GOP Chick]

WTF happened to Axl?

Dancin' with Mr. Brownstone one too many times?

Too much bad plastic surgery, obviously. He should have been like Roger Daltrey and just let himself age gracefully -- but in shape. For a 60-year-old guy, Daltrey looks damn fine these days! ;)

[NYC GOP Chick]

LOL! :D

[Dan from Michigan]

As much as "Van Hagar" gets ragged on(I have every VH CD except the Gary Cherone one), I think it's is actually good(although there's no substitute for the original bands) and I can listen to several of their CD's straight through. I compare it to both versions of AC/DC and the new/old Skynyrd. 5150, OU812, Live, and VH I, and VH II are all some of my favorites that I can listen straight through over and over.

I was a little kid when DLR/EVH split the first time(Jump is the first song I really remember), so I started hearing Van Halen and Van Hagar around the same time so everything was new to me.

And I remember the "Poundcake" video well. One of the last great metal videos on MTV before that whining feel sorry for my self grunge and later on that boy brand weak crap came around.

[T. Jefferson]

Another Diamond Dave classic quote:

"The perfect woman has a brilliant brain, wants to make love until four in the morning-then turns into a pizza."

[Diddle E. Squat]

The New Van Halen makes you want to go home, get a Nissan, and have a meaningful relationship."

Maybe now, but not in the context of the time when 5150 and OU812 were released. C'mon man, 'Cabo Wabo' makes one want to settle down? Heck no, pass the Milk Clear(great SNL spoof)

Though this was an awesome sound to throw on as the sun was setting, to chill before heading out to the clubs:

Yesterday, I saw my love light shine
Straight ahead in front of me
You never really know
When love'll come or go
But yesterday I was alone
Suddenly I walked you home
I never really knew
What love could make me do

I'll send the message in a bottle (I'll send the message)
N' trust in the mercy of the sea
Stormy weather
Oh yeah
Waitin' for love to set me free

Everyday I watch the tide roll in
Stay until it rolls away
Though nothin's on the shore
I'm runnin' back for more

I'll send the message in a bottle (I'll send the message)
N' pray for the mercy of the sea
Stromy weather
Oh yeah
Waitin' for love to rescue me

Hey, Feels so good
And it feels so nice
When love comes around
I feel good
So good, so good
An' it feels so nice
Ow! Feels so good

[Diddle E. Squat]

Wow, you were born just a few years to late. My first concert was DLR and Van Halen, and they were incredible. Only better concerts that I've seen since were U2, the Cure(club, not arena), and The Eagles reunion tour.

Pretty good company.

[Dan from Michigan]

I think they split in 85 when I was 6. I was so damn disappointed when the first DLR reunion fell through. No tour, no opening of "Runnin' with the Devil".

Damn that sucked.

[T. Jefferson]

for a time I winced at the old music we loved growing up...but looking back I think it was the last golden age of "Average American guy music". Eddies old guitar and DLR schreeching as you are doing 80 on a back road.....good times. It was stuff dudes could play in the Camaro while cruising for chicks. Back when drinking a few beers and chasing girls was still acceptable behavior for young men. Nowadays that'll get ya arrested, in treatment, or thrown into a consiousness raising class.

I played in some great metal cover bands in the middle of those days...there's nothing in the world like blasting out fat A Chords with a Les Paul standing in front of 8 foot high stacks of Marshall's with girls in mini skirts screaming at you. To pull off Eddie's licks and Slash riffs took alot of fret experience and patience. The modern era guitarists are about a 2 in skill comparison. We always said it was so fun we'd do it were free, and we pretty much did that the entire career.

When we weren't playing, we raced in our hot rods, blasted the 8 track and drank a million beers without a care in the world. We didn't even have a police force in my hometown of 20,000, there wasn't ANY crime. Always appreciate the moments for what they are, every day is the good ole days.

[Clemenza]

I was once a GNR fan. Then, I saw them one New Year's Eve on the Illusion tour (Soundgarden was the opening act and they were booed off the stage. Randy "Lefty B-tch" Rhodes was the Emcee). Axel could barely sing and Slash just skronked along for two hours. After that poor performance, I decided never to listen to that squealin' BE-OTCH Axel and the boys again.

The best thing they ever did was fire Steven Adler. I hated that sh-t eatin grin on his fave.

[Clemenza]

Van Halen yes! Van Hagar? NO!!!!!!!

[Modernman]

GNR is really a case study on how to go from being the biggest band in the world and completely blow it. It's been a decade and they still can't put together an album? Forget it.

[Modernman]

GET OVER IT, GUYS! You're all in your 40's-50's, not 20 anymore, and you're all millionaires. Whether somebody stole a groupie from somebody else 20 years ago is a kid's fight.

Seriously. Smart, professional musicians realize that even though they might not like each other too much, they can make a lot of money playing together. Do the Rolling Stones all love each other? Who knows. But they're smart enough to know they can keep making money.

[paul51]

I guess the moral of the story is never count on a guy named buckethead

[dfwgator]

If it ain't with DLR, I ain't interested in Van Halen.

You mean if it ain't with the DLR of 25 years ago, it ain't Van Halen. If DLR went out with them today it would be an embarrasment.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You mean if it ain't with the DLR of 25 years ago, it ain't Van Halen. If DLR went out with them today it would be an embarrasment.

  vs.  

[bc2]

rock n roll ping! let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the ping list.

dude, quam1 ! Buckethead has had an awesome solo career for years now... he's played with Primus, GNR, and been on his own, rocking crowds all over the world!

[mylife]

Has anybody seen Axl Rose and Amy Carter in the same room?

BwaaaHaaHaa!!