First GnR 'Uh Oh?'

A few days ago, Jimmy Kimmel Live! listed that Axl Rose would be a guest tonight. He was, presumably, going to be on to announce the Guns n' Roses reunion and Coachella gig. Now all of a sudden Axl isn't going to be on the show. No other information is known. Since we all know how temperamental Axl is, I'm sure I'm not the only one concerned by this. But I'm sure it's all fine. I'm sure if the reunion really is happening, the contract stipulating that it take place is basically iron clad... right?

Report: AXL ROSE Will NOT Appear On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Tuesday Night https://t.co/ufvXDqOKr1 pic.twitter.com/vipAiLcCDT

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) January 4, 2016

But... Coachella promoters just released the lineup for this year, and yes, Guns n' Roses will headline. Locked and loaded, ya'll.

BREAKING: #Coachella has announced its 2016 lineup, and it features the likes of Guns N' Roses and LCD Soundsystem along...

Posted by Consequence of Sound on Monday, January 4, 2016

Comments

[Metalboy!]

I'm surprised we're hearing crickets on this... Might it be due everyone holding their collective breath?

[Dj]

The rumors and speculation for this is getting way outta hand. Yeah I'm excited as much as any other GNR fan...but enough is enough, Axl should announce it in the next five years or I'll be expecting another Dr Pepper that he owes me.

[Bob]

Metalboy!, my good sir, I suspect the crickets are due to G&R news fatigue. At this point, they simply need to put up or shut up.

[Metalboy!]

I heard Sorum is fighting for Adler to join him, with Adler doing the "Appetite" stuff while Sorum handles the "Use Your Illusion" stuff.

But word is Slash doesn't like Adler so he won't be included. What the h*ll? Slash can still be pis*ed at Adler but forgive and forget when it comes to Axl? WTF?!

[Him]

Ah, Coachella! Is there anywhere on Earth lovelier than Indio in the Spring? And, hey, you also get The Last Shadow Puppets on the big day that GnR are there. So there! Right? Right.

Seriously, though, I am sure his absence on Kimmel stokes the flames both pro and con. It gives people room to wonder. And ain't that what rock n' roll is all about? I mean, remember how he used to be late for everything? Remember when he was just Bill Bailey? Remember when Ashba shared the stage with him?

Besides, its not like a rock star wants any privacy in the lead up to a big stadium tour and some sweet festival slots. If Axl had always acted like this it would seem less like news aside from the fact that the reunion is a go. Oh wait. Scratch that. It still seems less like news.

But Metalboy! raises some valid points: Sorum? Adler? Fortus? Clarke? Reed? Little Richard? Okay, only some of those. Still, the mind spins.

And, Bob, I think the answer is in: they will put up, so will the fans, and yet no one will shut up about GnR so long as they are touring in some form or another. You like em' or you don't, you find Axl fetching or foul, Slash is the bees knees or just Kennedy's sponsor.

Personally, Dj, I'd go with a Mr. Pibb (actually, a Fresca). Cause the fun has only started. Welcome to the hustl . . . I mean, jungle. It should be fun.

[Bob]

Him, I hope you don't mind me disagreeing with one of your points...At the risk of sounding like a crotchety old man, no, for me, wondering is not what rock n' roll is all about anymore. Axl may be a zillionaire which gives him the leeway to act like a big baby, but I'm not. I have a job and a mortgage, and no time to sit around for three hours wondering if/when Axl will grace us with his presence, especially if I have forked over literally thirty times more dollars than I spent to see G&R in '88.

[Him]

Good points, Bob. My tongue was a bit more in my cheek than my prose let on I guess. I agree with you.

My simple point was this: Axl hasn't been late for a show in a long time. But it is one of those things that people like to bring up. Which is fine. On the other hand, he has always been a bit of a diva and recluse. So him canceling Kimmel should surprise no one . . . esp. since Coachella let the cat out of the bag before his scheduled appearance. So what was he going to talk about? That recent photo of him with a "fan" after going out for a jog? Not exactly svelte. But he is trying.

If, however, he starts to pull that old stuff again on this (purported) stadium tour, most fans will just stop buying tickets. He's too old, and we are too old, to put up with that . . esp. if the prices are going to be in line with what acts like AC/DC are charging these days. You want a show, not a sense of mystery.

So we are good, Bob. Thanks for forcing me to clarify. I need it sometimes!

[lep]

If there's no Izzy, it's not worth doing.