by Kent Sterling
Kentsterling.com has been told that preliminary talks have already taken place to reconvene the most popular lineup of Guns N’ Roses to turn Indianapolis into Paradise City. Gun N’ Roses might be the only rock band with it’s members still living that hasn’t played a Super Bowl halftime show that could generate a real sense of excitement for what this year became a devolving mess.
After a significantly lesser halftime show this year with the overexposed Black Eyed Peas with Usher (who had to cancel a bar mitzvah appearance) and Slash from GNR, the NFL is looking to make a splash, and reuniting Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, either Steven Adler or Matt Sorum, and Dizzy Reed.
Nothing like a 30-minute trip to the fridge for another beer or three, knowing that you won’t miss anything relevant. Oh, how those ad agencies must have thrilled to the news that the Black Eyed Peas were willing to take the time away from their endless tour of talk and award show appearances to sing “I Gotta Feeling” for the 724th time on network television in the last 16 months. They could have gotten the same audience and performance for the cost of an Oprah show :30.
The halftime show of the Super Bowl tried to top itself each year with spectaculars until Justin Timberlake unsheathed Janet Jackson right teat and America overreacted like the crowd had been napalmed. Since then, it’s been rock backs and icons – until this year when evidently the B-52s were unavailable.
The Beatles – half dead, and McCartney did it. U2 – did it. The Clash – Joe Strummer dead. The Police – terrible reunion tour. All southern rock bands – mostly dead. Nirvana – one-third dead, one third in the Foo Fighters, one third MIA. Pearl Jam – too niche. Phish – way too niche, plus football on shrooms is no fun to watch. That leaves Justin Bieber and GNR, and if Bieber ever performs at a Super Bowl, I hope I’m there to take a bullet to stop the show.
Hopefully, Axl (the Indiana native) is on his meds, and agrees to do the show. It’s always a shame when a great band lets squabbles put a premature end to their creativity and ability to thrill an audience. GNR is long past its creative peak, but for 12-minutes, I would sit still in front of a TV to watch them rock.
Talks are still in the very early stages, and it may turn into nothing, but it’s good to know that at least someone is thinking clearly at the NFL.
damn I hope this isn’t true… if anything I want to see the new players up there. So much more talent. So much more! Slash has become a cartoon clown of his previous self… this started 10 years ago and this SB 1/2x show just validated it completely. The new GNR absolutely rocks live.
Check out Slash’s solo album. It’s a good rock n’ roll album, something seldom heard these days. Skill and talent are entirely different things. New incarnation has technical ability, but lack the talent that real guns had when it comes to songwriting. If it was up to this new lineup to make a name out of Guns N Roses, we wouldn’t know they exist.
thank you @split66. cant believe so few people see what a sellout Slash has become, and how consistent and brilliant new Gnr are.
Who cares new guns?
The Classical Guns made history!
Haha, never thought I’d hear new guns, and consistent in the same sentence. Consistent at what exactly? Putting out albums? The only thing that has been consistent is the disappointment Axl has become and the turnover of band members.
Slash made a rock n roll record last year, Axl hasn’t made one since ’92, when he had Slash’s help.
wow the old GNR head less talent? what are you smoking?
Are you serious! Dude the new Guns n Roses is nothing. It is Axls thought Of what guns n roses. Search up Guns n Roses on google. You will find one thing about the new band on the website. Everyhing elsa is welcome tO the jungle and November Rain. If this Holy event would happen, my dreams will come true. I really want to hear that the ORIGINAL Guns n roses plays. Pray to God that this is true!!!!!
You stupid dumb bitch! Liar! It won’t happen and why would it? The new GNR are professional and damn good, why would Axl go back to playing with a bunch of desperate trailer park losers (except for Izzy)? BTW they do not pay the half time act to perform so why would Axl waist his time? You are a fool – enjoy your day of google fame get out of the 80′s, it’s 2011 and there are a new improved GNR even if you and a bunch of other idiots are stuck up Slash’s rump. He is an attention whore and we will never have anything to do with him! We just wrapped up a wildly successful WORLD tour and he is the opening act for a washed up Ozzy. Go jam to your Black Eye Pea MP3s dude you are nuts!
No, no one wants to play in front of half a billion people to resurrect a dying brand that needs a serious infusion of popularity to move units. Axl and this new GNR couldn’t sell out a 2,500 seat auditorium. With the Super Bowl halftime show, they could launch a $100 million 2012 tour. That’s a pretty good reason to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6tdps81Yxg
2,500?? more like 18,000 people jammed in that sold out arena! slash got that on his own before?
maybe they sold out to 18,000 people once, but I guarantee none of those people would ever pay money to see that lineup again. Chinese democracy? Are you kidding?
Kenny you are a hack. You are no Ron Burgandy!
By the way, if your Nirvana – googoo dolls comment was a joke, it was funny. If it was not a joke than please stop writing about rock and roll.
I just talked Axl over a couple of cranberry juice, vodka and champagnes and he told me when he’s on any stage he will look to his right and see Ron Thal. I told him “thank you”…he didn’t say anything else.
you, my friend, are the fool if you think that artists perform at the SuperBowl for free….GNR “Spokesman” LMAO
Google it, lazy idiot, they DO NOT get paid (to perform). LMAO (at you). Axl will not share a stage with Sal Hudson. If you want to see a GNR reunion better hope it’s with Buckethead! This website is a joke – Ken Stevens is a liar!
60,000 in SAO PAULO
Wonder how many of them knew that it was really Axl & the Pussycats.
You are just a jealous little liar. If Axl was passed out in your couch you would suck his little man…Ken Stevens you are a fraud. You have an agenda but your foundation is built on a lie. We’re watching you.
nice!
gnr spokesman
u using krak the original lineup kicks the new lineups ass
any time any day bitch
2,500 seat auditorium? I was just at Axl’s summer gig and there were 18,000 spectators…
But yeah, I prefer the classic Guns.
They sold out the 20000 seat Madison Square Garden just fine…
Axl has been selling out arenas and stadiums with no trouble, and has already turned down several 9-figure reunion offers (Slash has confirmed offers in the “hundreds of millions”). If old Guns ever did get back together they certainly wouldn’t need the Super Bowl to launch the tour, lol. Did you bother checking any facts at all, or was this entire “story” based on ignorance and supposition?
The entire story was based upon a conversation I had with a person who works with the NFL and spoke candidly about who they are targeting for next year. Whether Axl agrees or not is a topic for another time. The story was about the NFL talking to reps from GnR about 12 minutes of music a year from now.
The brand “Guns N’ Roses” to most of their fans means Axl, Slash, Duff, Adler/Sorum, and Izzy. The music may sound great regardless of who plays it. I saw Creedence Clearwater Revisited with Doug Clifford and Stu Cook, and the music was really solid. That doesn’t make it the real Creedence. No Fogarty brothers, no Creedence.
The new gnr couldnt sold out a 2.500 arena ?? well the rock in rio 2001 , and the sold out 20.000 arena in portugal last october disagree ! they just had a sucesseful tour man, stop living in the 80′s , slash’s lies and a new line up cant stop axl from still selling out arenas all over the world. slash sucks , he would play at ur house for a dollar ! do u think a reunion is possible ?? get real. the close ull get to a reunion is watching Duff playing YCBM with guns 2/3 months ago . get real go watch black eyed peas
u suk jon slash is one of the best guitarists
i no
They didn’t wrap up a successful world tour. That would require they play the states, you know, the place where they are from? And that place that doesn’t give a shit because not everyone is gullible enough to believe that it’s still GNR, even though the members that made the band popular moved on long ago. Wow, Axl found talented musicians that can play other peoples songs live. What an accomplishment. Can they write? Well, we have Chinese Democracy to answer that question.
Actually, we have no idea if they can write for GNR. Axl was the sole dictator involved in writing Chinese Democracy. The other guys in the new GNR are quite accomplished in their own respective careers. Ron Thal is 1000 times the guitar player that Slash is, but unfortuantely he has remained unknown outside of the guitar geek circles. Just because these guys are not household names, does not make them less talented than the original overrated members of the band.GNR was a one cd wonder. Appetite for destruction was an amazing album. Everything since has been crap. The Use Your Illusion CDs had a few good tunes, but on the whole were a huge letdown. And, having seen them live on several occasions (not usually by choice), They were one of the most boring performances I ever suffered through…
There is only 1 song on Chinese that is credited solely to Axl, so the album was without doubt a band effort. I respect Ron’s ability, but there are countless guitarists who can shred, writing is another story. I thought his solo on Catcher in the Rye sounded out of place, whereas Brian May’s original solo fit perfectly. There is a reason Bumblefoot is not, and never will be the household name Slash is. Don’t kid yourself, it’s not an accident. Whereas you think Lies, UYI I & II are crap, and didn’t enjoy their live performances, I can see we aren’t going to agree on much. You don’t come across as a fan of GNR.
I wouldn’t say I am not a fan. Appetite is still spun in my cd player fairly regularly. I have respect for what GNR have done and what they meant to the hard rock scene. I just view them like I do movies and TV shows I was really into as a kid. I thought Star Wars was the greatest movie of all time. But years later I watch it and it’s really not that good of a movie. I still feel nostalgic about it, but the quality I remembered it haveing seems to be missing. I do agree that there is an obvious reason that Slash is the icon he is while Ron will unfortunately remain unnoticed. I just thought your criticism of the current band was unnecessarily harsh. They are all good musicians and I am sure they have the ability to write a good song. But they did fail miserably with the new disc. Incidentally, I do not think Democracy is as bad as it gets credit for being. It’s not necessarily good either. I just don’t think any GNR album could ever live up to 15 years of hype.
Didn’t mean to question your fanhood, haha. I hear you. AFD is one of those albums I can’t get sick of, same with UYIs, but to each his own. Again, I respect Ron’s ability, but the fact that he isn’t a household name speaks to how talented Slash really is. Even with all of the buildup Chinese Democracy generated, and having the same lead singer Slash worked with, it still failed to put him on the map. I know CD sold relatively well, but not for a GNR record. Hell, the name sells itself. People just saw through it. Axl put the new guys, and himself in an impossible situation. The album was never going to be worth the 15 year wait, but I truly thought it would be a good album, as Axl hadn’t(in my eyes) put anything bad out to date. But even still, to ask Buckethead, Fortus, Ashba, BF etc to fill the shoes of Slash, Izzy, Duff was mission impossible from day one. Only an egomaniac of epic proportions could be naive enough to think it would fly. I’ve seen the new band, and I admit they are a great live act, but I didn’t buy a ticket to see Bumblefoot. I paid to hear some of my favorite songs live, sung by the man who wrote them. I’d pay a hell of a lot more to see the real band play them.
No one can call themselves musicians and not respect Ozzy. Sure his voice is not the same as it was 20 years ago, but Axl’s voice isn’t the same as it was 10 years ago, fuck he doesn’t have the same voice he had 5 years ago. Slash isn’t the best guitar player, but at least he found a singer who he can count on, is punctual and above all, he can sing.
THIS IS HOW GREAT SINGERS SOUND LIKE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8KIjHQJDJY
You’re kidding me, right? The new GNR damn good?!?! HAHAHA!!!!!!!!
you, my friend, are the fool if you think that artists perform at the SuperBowl for free….GNR “Spokesman” LMAO
Kent,
You are soliciting a slightly less bright clientele with this post. It takes that mentality to think people will actually believe you are a spokesman for GNR and posting replies to this article just because your screen name is “GNR Spokesman.” Let’s hope they do have a reunion. It would be great! Get ready for the Blabbermouth crowd to post things from their parent’s basement where they have lived for the last 20 years.
I wish this could happend. But first , the NFL should call Dr. Phill first, and set a reunion with the GNR members to workout their problems and fealings. LOL otherwise…….its imposible no matter how much money they put on the table. Axl doesnt give a rat ass….he`s not a sell out.
How about a David Lee Roth led Van Halen? They’re working on a album that should be released this year and what better way to promote it? And Diamond Dave is from Indiana too. Hmm….
You are the ones who need meds if you actually think there will be a GN’R reunion.
New band is amazing, deal with it or GTFO.
13 million dollars and 15 years in the making, Chinese Democracy is merely a blip on the radar. The album most GNR fans would prefer to pretend never happened. Deal with the fact that most people want to hear the real GNR, the band that was once considered the most dangerous band in the world, not the glorified cover band that produces anything but dangerous sounding albums every 15 years.
I agree with you that it will not happen though. Axl would prefer to go down with the ship (which already happened here in the states) then give the fans what they want.
heard that in other news as well, they said something about 200 million dollars being offered for three songs? holy shit, was the original band really that good?
Amazing you don’t know the difference between its and it’s. Don’t worry though. Most people these days don’t.
Looks like the lackeys from heretodaygonetohell have shown up here to defend Axls fragile ego. Anyone who would rather see Axl and a bunch of hired “guns” over the real guns n roses are posers. I bet most of you were not even born when the real gnr were around. You know those cover songs those fake gnr members play every night? Those songs were written by Axl, Slash, Duff and Izzy and that is who should be playing them, no one gives a rats ass about the current line up of fake gnr, chinese democracy flopped showed that. It would be a joke if Axl and fake gnr playing covers.
i’m 18 and id rather have the original gnr line up thatys reel music the chinese democrasy is pure shit \
\
gnr o l
Original GNR line-up. Sounds great… Lets be realistic, it won’t happen.
BTW, i thought Black Eyed Peas sounded awful this year. Wouldn’t mind seeing a reformed Oasis take to stage in 2012.
what the fuck are you talking about????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AXL ROSE IS NOTHING WITHOUT SLASH AND THE NEW GNR SUCKS.
FOR ME NOW IS NO MORE GNR IS EMO ROSES. U THINK DJ ASHBA IS BETTER THAN SLASH???????????
I DONT THINK SO.
AND THERRE IS A SONG FOR OLD GNR. GET IN THE RING
AND THERE U CAN FIND OUT WHO´S GONNA BE THE WINNER. AND SLASH DEFINITELY WINS. THIS IS THE TRUTH . FUCK THE WORLD KEEP IT METAL
Kent,
I commend you on doing something to drive traffic to your site, but it’s obviously a lie. If there were any truth to the matter, you would have had gotten Duff McKagan’s name right. It’s not ‘Duff McKagen.’
Odds are pretty high if they go with a rock act (and after all the BEP bashing, they prob. will) it’ll be John Mellencamp.
No money in it for GNR to do it. Even if there was money involved, they wouldn’t.
I could see Ozzy doing halftime, Bob Seger, Metallica, and Van Halen. They all get their songs played during games. Eagles were considered for it last year. All of which would be fine for the NFL, and Metallica’s cut down on the swearing at their own shows. John Fogerty would also be a good one that can crank out 15 CCR songs in 15 minutes. Maybe Foo Fighters? Pink? Kid Rock?
It was the first halftime in ages they had pop stars, and I think they’re going back to rock acts again. Or maybe country. Fox def. got a lot of complaints over the audio.
Now way it’s Mellencamp. There is a ton of money in it for GNR. That kind of exposure would bump sales into the stratosphere for weeks afterward, and if they were ever going to tour again, it would be the biggest launching pad they could ask for.
Good for the NFL for trying to get it done. It would sure as hell be a more compelling halftime than Seger, Metallica, or Van Halen – and I love all three acts.
There’s one more band with all members alive:
SPREAD EAGLE
but their original line up…
might be easier to get GNR together
THIS IS THE FRIST GOOD NEWS I HAVE HEARD THIS YEAR…WISH IT COMES TRUE…….AXL & SLASH ROCKS…………..
dave grohl is in the foo fighters, not the goo goo dolls.
Sorry, but this article is a joke. I do not see any reason why Axl would choose to reunite with the former band when the new band plays the old songs 10x’s better (I’ve heard it live).
Not to mention, Axl still has the rights to the name, so it’s all about convincing him and I don’t really see that happening. He is selling out stadiums and headlining festivals like Rock in Rio, while the other former members like Slash would be lucky if they could sell out large club venues or play 2nd or 3rd stage at most big rock festivals.
Not to mention as fickle as Axl and these guys can be about playing together, why would the Superbowl half-time committee risk that the band would decide at the last minute not to perform at all? There are plenty of other great rock bands out there that haven’t played the Superbowl yet, and probably wouldn’t be near as much trouble to get to play – AC/DC, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Bon Jovi (all who have albums that grossed higher than GNR’s highest grossing album – Appetite for Destruction). Hell, I’d expect to see a Pink Floyd reunion before and GNR reunion, and one of their original members (Richard Wright) is dead!
To whoever called Chinese Democracy a “blip on the radar,” you obviously don’t know what you are talking about. That album was the highest selling LP the year it was released, hit the CD sales charts pretty high as well, and was one of the most talked about albums that year. It’s a great, well written album, and it sounds like GNR. Even those of us who still like Slash (but don’t have out heads so far up his butt) can recognize that. How many new albums has Slash sold on his own? His new album is good, but it pales in comparison to Chinese Democracy in my opinion.
People just want to think this reunion will happen because Fergie screwed up the GNR song that her and Slash did at this year’s Superbowl so horribly and sang it so out of key. Sorry folks! Go spin Appetite for Destruction and keep dreaming.
For all you jokesters who think the half-time performers get paid, do some research:
“With the exception of travel and production expenses, the NFL has never paid appearance fees to the Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Diana Ross, Gloria Estefan, Diddy, Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Kid Rock or other halftime performers.
Why do they sing for free? For the chance to perform on the world’s biggest stage. And their ability to cash in later.”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/super/2006-02-02-super-bowl-entertainment_x.htm
Do some research before you go spouting of your wishes like they are hard facts.
Chinese Democracy was a flop compared to what it could/should have been. It sold because it had the name “Guns N’ Roses”, but I guarantee you most of them are now coasters, or were redeemed for the $3.50 or so CD shops offer. It’s not exactly burning up the charts, and there is a reason for that, it’s not very good. The state of music was horrible in ’87, but AFD made it’s way to the airwaves, as most great music does. Chinese has it’s moments, very few, but in the end, it’s already been forgotten. Guns were not selling out many arenas in the states. I went to the Worcester MA show, and they honored tickets from the previous nights cancelled Maine show. 2 nights worth of tickets and the place was still half empty. I wanted Chinese Democracy to be great, but it didn’t happen. It’s sad to see Axl rub his dick on the legacy of Guns N’ Roses. It’s a shame that tragedies like “Shackler’s Revenge” might be a young kids introduction to GNR.
Grew up with the old band as a teenager. Was very excited and followed the new band for years, seeing them many times in concert all over the country. Unfortunately ooking back on the last ten years I see nothing but wasted opportunity. They could have done so much more with what they had, but we didn’t really get much in the end. While the new band is immensely talented, the revolving door of musicians and the latest addition of DJ tarnish the brand IMO.
If you haven’t seen the new band in concert, it really is a must, especially if you’re a critic of the new. However at the end of the day, the old band was superior, and that’s after being a fan boy of the latest incarnation for over a decade. The sound that Slash/Duff/Matt create is simply more organic than the new.
Life is too short for petty grudges and ego. Get back with the old band and create some magic again.
It will NEVER happen!
1. G n’ R can’t keep their man boobs / nipples covered up.
2. Axl can not show up on time for anything.
Chinese Democracy
Here’s an idea for an act…settle this crap once and for all.
Battle of the bands showdown.
Axl with the new GnR lineup.
Slash with Fergie and the other clowns he prefers to associate with these days.
David Gilmour and Pink Floyd anyone? Could resist or maybe we could get Rivera back with Ray Monette if both are alive with a little bit of Rare Earth. LOL Great synopsis and opinions and damned if you all don’t bring back some “heavy” memories.
There had been reports that talks were afoot for the original line-up to play the half-time show at Super Bowl next year. McKagan said: “That’s bullshit. Pure, unadulterated bullshit.” In other words Kent Starling is a lying hack making up lies for the shameless promotion of his little website! Liar!
Hey, I wrote that their were talks, and I have been assured that there were. I never reported that they were going to play – just that there were talks. I stand by that.
Dude, all i know was they told me to keep the Super Bowl weekend open. That’s all I know. Then all he’ll breaks loose.
Said the same thing to mr Finck when we were in Atlanta last month. Keep the weekend open, no Cirque du Soliel either.
You never know, do you? I’m in if you are. One day we will be old, let’s whip the horse again. Seattle is cold in February.
Hey guys what’s up… If you are a GNR’s fan u should know that Classic GNR make history but now is a new era and if axl have a new people in the band we have to sopport him.For me Slash is the best guitar player ever i love him and i really hope see him playing again with Axl and if GNR would be in the Super bowl’s halftime i think will be the New GNR but that’s just my opinion…
I think Steven is right. I absolutely agree with his comment.
First off I bought Chinese democracy first day out. I absolutely loved it. I’m still listening to this masterpiece everyday since. All I hope for is a north America tour next summer followed by a new album. All velvet revolver stuff is complete shit. I love Slash but he is absolutely nothing without Axl. Gnr is and always will be Axl. I just can’t believe how people diss Chinese democracy it was amazing work. To the asshole who thought the illussion 1 n 2 albums just having few good songs is just plain retarded. Those were Gnr best work. Those two albums were monumental to gnr. I love what axel is doing. What everyone was hung up on was the wait time. Still great work was done, better late than never. I rather hear something great once in 15 hrs than listen to quarter ass albums like slashes snake pit and velvet revolver crap…..you’ll see once Chinese democracy disc two comes out the first one will be a cult classic right after, besides CD one has sold 6 million world wide that will double as soon as he does next album….