Oh, I disagree, I think 2009 is going to be entertaining as hell!

GNR, due to their chaotic nature, are brilliant marketers and entertainers by default.  Expecting the unexpected, and watching the madness is to rock fans, what watching rare birds is to bird watchers. 

The reason the reunion talk has legs is obvious on the surface (Azoff), and the fact that there are bits and pieces of info which come to light from the industry which indicate that there is stuff going on.  In reality, when this does happen, and it is likely it will, it will be decided by the bandmembers and then they will let management know.  Izzy will be a key mediator--him touring in 2006 was interesting on many levels.  What was cool was how well him and Axl got along again--the main duo, and original duo of GNR (anyone notice how much harder Axl would sing when Izzy was on stage).  Also,  Azoff isn't normal management, he maybe a facilitator for the final therapeutic sessions which would wax this out.  All speculation at this point, but interesting nonetheless.

Exactly--I think he's just saying "we'll tell you what is going on when and where we are ready, on our terms not the Sun's".  They want to roll this out, and don't want "leaks" of the news--as they have to legally work through some of the current members contracts, "if", a big "if" this was going to happen.  On the other hand, if Axl tours with a new incarnation, I hope they are wise enough to do intimate theater shows in the U.S., instead of Hockey Rinks.

BTW, Neemo, that is the pure vague, manager speak.  He could be saying all kinds of things--for instance, he could mean that only "Gilby, Finck, Buckethead, and Matt" are officially "former bandmembers", etc.

A Non-Denial, Denial...LOL!

325,000 albums sold in two weeks during the worst economic crisis in over seventy years, the worst crisis in the music industries history, and only being sold in one store which has about 900 store fronts (after closings), and 30% less foot traffic year over year, is not that bad.  Cry all you want, the album is good, the legend is still in tact, and the silence maintains the enigma.  Fuck it, it's nearly X-mas, and I have Chinese Democracy in my hands, and still have a job.  All things considered, I don't have much to complain about.  Who gives a shit about Britney, the fad-chasers, and the commercial side of the industry.  If you love music, and love GNR there is not much to cry about.  I've given up worrying about these #'s, it's a never-ending vicarious mind-fuck that has ZERO impact on my life or ability to judge and like music! 

GNFR!!!