Record label bosses are fuming after GUNS N’ ROSES frontman AXL ROSE went missing for two months – costing the band a #1 album.
After spending 15 years and 15 Million recording their big comeback Chinese Democracy, only top spot was good enough.
But they lost out to THE KILLERS’ Day & Age in Sunday’s UK album chart rundown — with BRANDON FLOWERS’ group notching up sales of 200,000 during the week — 80,000 more than Guns N’ Roses.
Bosses at label Geffen are blaming unpredictable Axl for the disappointing sales after he went AWOL for two months before the release date.
Despite all the effort put into one of the most extravagant rock albums of all time, staff could not contact Axl to get him to promote his rock epic.
In fact, they failed to make contact with him from the day he delivered the final cut.
Chinese Democracy’s first week US sales are between 300,000 and 500,000. Yet their 1987 debut album Appetite For Destruction went on to sell a staggering 28 Million, so they have a long way to go with their new effort.
Genius
An insider said: “Everyone knows Axl is a bit of a maverick genius and won’t do anything he doesn’t want to do.
“The label is really glad to have him back. But it is frustrating because the album would have had a much better chance of going to #1 if he had only been prepared to show his face.
“People have been trying to contact him for two months and he’s been completely AWOL.
“You would have thought after spending 15 years on an album you might do a few weeks promotion.”
Better news for the label’s bean counters is the elusive Axl is rumoured to be trying to get the band’s first line-up back together.
Guitarist IZZY STRADLIN has said he is keen to see the original members back together and axe legend SLASH’s involvement in his current band VELVET REVOLVER looks shaky after they were dropped by their label.
If Axl has been spending the last two months of his time reuniting the original members for a world tour, I think Geffen might just forgive him.
As long as they don’t have to wait another 15 years.
The Sun
Thanks to: Pat
Related: Where is W. Axl Rose (AWOL)
Axl's Silence Speaks Volumes
ReplyDeleteAxl's Silence Speaks Volumes
ReplyDeleteMack what exactly are you talking when you say that?
To me it tells me that this whole original GN'R thing will probably never see the light of day.Axl apparently has the same phobia's he's been plagued with all these years.I too was surprised that he didn't promote this album in the weeks before it's release.It's pretty bad when a lame ass band like the Killers can out sell one of the biggest hard rock acts of all time.Only Axl can have himself to blame if this album tanks.The songs are good enough to warrent a number one spot even in todays pathetic radio market.Yet it's hard to tell,as it seems the public seems to have embraced everything horrible when it comes to music.It's obvious that today's youth culture would rather here songs delivered by black dudes with grills in their mouth,and gold chains around their neck.Yeah it's a sad day and age that we live in when no talent,no substance musical acts if thats what you want to call them,can become more successful than a man like Axl Rose.
Axl's Silence Speaks Volumes
ReplyDeleteWhat I mean when I say that is that Axl's silence has become THE STORY when it comes to this release. It's clear that nothing has changed in the GN'R world, and this this was obviously a "forced" release. I agree with you that Axl can blame himself if the album tanks. As for your comments regarding today's culture and music, I'm actually a big fan of "hit singles," hip-hop, and other flavor du juors. I'll take Kid Rock or some other mindless, feel-good music over pretentious acts such as the Arcade Fire any single day.