Why Does Axl Rose Seemingly Hate America Now?

So a few days ago, Guns n' Roses (or Axl Rose and friends if you prefer) announced they would finally tour behind Chinese Democracy. Awesome - except the tour is only taking place in Canada.

In the not so distant past, GnR has toured many other countries of the world...but never America.

Why?

Is this some sort of odd slap in the face to Axl's many American fans? Is Axl afraid of the American media and worries that journalists will start asking some serious questions he may not want to answer? Most likely, Axl is worried that he won't be able to sell-out American venues anymore and I suspect his fragile ego couldn't handle that.

But still. No American dates and 13 Canadian stops? I'm sure a couple strategically placed and well-promoter GnR shows would do quite well in America. A date in Los Angeles and New York City for sure. Maybe even Chicago and New Orleans. Something. Anything.

Rolling Stone is referring to the Canadian run as a "world tour" which would indicate more dates in many more places, but I don't see that happening. I'd go and see the band even if it's just Axl and DJ Ashba and some other people.

Live Nation is producing the tour. We all know that production company is massive and owns venues all over - so if Axl is game, he could ride this pony from Cincinnati to Abu Dhabi. I just don't think he cares anymore.

Here's the Canadian tour dates:

 1/13 - Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
 1/16 - Calgary, AB @ Pengrowth Saddledome
1/17 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
1/19 - Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
1/20 - Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre
1/24 - Hamilton, ON @ Copps Coliseum
1/25 - London, ON @ John Labatt Centre
1/27 - Montreal, PQ @ Bell Centre
1/28 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
1/31 - Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
2/1 - Quebec City, PQ @ Colisee Pepsi
2/3 - Moncton, NB @ Moncton Coliseum
2/4 - Halifax, NS @ Metro Centre

"Street of Dreams" (Live) from Chinese Democracy

Comments

[Christian]

Axl is pathetic

[Mike]

Axl also seems to be afraid to come to Vancouver since he's skipped it the last couple of tours after the 2002 riot. Or maybe he's been banned.

[Bryon]

Axl is a nutjob. It doesn't get a whole lot more simple than that.

[Peter]

Allyson tour is still in the making for sure he will tour Europe where almost all dates were sold out last tour and South America where Guns N' Roses is huge and he can sell out stadiums there.

As for USA, Guns N' Roses isn't big in the USA and Chinese Democracy sold over 5 milions worldwide and 1 milion in USA, he has no interest in touring USA when he is much more wanted in other countries.

I'm sure that he will do some USA tour but not big something like 15 dates, New York will alwyas be sell out as much as California dates.

And that a great clip of Street of Dreams, Brian drumming on that is awesome, the best drummer Guns N' Roses ever had and one of the best in the world, I'm happy that he is still in the band, but kind of sad that he won't tour.

[Ryo Vie]

While there may still be an announcement about the USA (perhaps a summer tour) Axl still has to fix some issues, most notably his LATENESS. I wouldn't buy tickets to a GnR show even though I've never seen them live. The reason? I'd be worried that the show wouldn't start until midnight or would be cancelled all together. His track record is awful and shows no signs of getting any better. I guess Canada will be the litmus test.

Ryo Vie
The Rock and Roll Guru
http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com

[Fitz]

Axl is a mental genius, He does whatever he wants. If he cared he would have promoted Chinese Democracy and toured the world like most artists but again hes mental who the hell wants to tour Canada in the winter??

[papa_rocker]

Kind crazy that GnR are performing three shows all within an hour'ish of my house...

[Bryon]

@papa_rocker -- I'll bet we live in the same area. I'm pretty much smack dab in the middle of Hamilton, London & Toronto -- 3 of the Ontario shows they are playing. I've got tickets for the London show.

[T.O. Snob]

Hate America? That's a pretty egocentric view. Maybe he just really really likes Canada. ;)

[JT]

The price would have to be right for me to go see him. Axl, Bumblefoot, and DJ are not worth as much as Axl, Slash, and Duff. That's the bottom line for me. I like Chinese Democracy, but I'm not shelling out more than $40 or $50 to see it live. If it was around $20, I would consider it.

[Gary]

Axl is a douche.How else could you explain the (what seems like) 273 different members of Guns over the years?? There's only been one constant....

[Chessie >^..^<]

It's probably for the same reason that Winger can't do shows in the US. The shows don't sell out--if a promoter gets brave and books them--and very rarely can they get a tour package, ala the Poison/Cinderella/Faster Pussycat/Winger tour of 2002. It's been said that these kinds of bands are more popular overseas than in the US, which is kinda sad...

[SMK not SMF]

I saw GnR (Axl and his Merry Men) at Gund Arena in Cleveland about 6 years ago. I think they did about 10 or so dates of a scheduled 40. Axl was not on time. Great show, really enjoyed it. But... I'd guess maybe 6,000 in a 20,000 seat arena.

[ellie]

We want Axl is the UK also!!

[Bob]

I saw G&R in like 1988 or so with aerosmith and Deep Purple. G&R stunk up the place, and Axl kept whining about the sound like a little baby. I don't think they even did a full set. Screw Axl and screw G&R. Canada can have them.

[MK]

Apparently not many people seem to care about AXL and his merry men here in Southern Ontario. London, Toronto, and Hamilton all have great seats still available. I don't fault AXL's band. Top notch players with Bumblefoot and DJ Ashba. Sebastian and Danko Jones as opening acts would be the draw for me.Danko Jones is one of the most under rated acts in Canada and is much bigger over in Europe (where they still appreciate what good music is and aren't brain washed by the force fed bull shit that is shoved down our throats over here).

[Trinity]

Ah crap, another chance to see DJ Ashba down the tubes :(

[Metalboy!]

It was all over when Izzy left.

[Roman]

Axl should came to Russia. Guns N' Roses have never been here.

[Dick]

Holy smokes... is no one else hearing how tone deaf Axl is?! This is horrible!!!