find me one 'official' band picture with Gun N Roses over it that does not include Slash.

...So I don't see this deal as all that much different from getting Coke to sponsor a game, and them asking for the game not to include Pepsi.

Intercourse wrote:

Normally i'd agree but it seems this thread was turning into a bash fest,

have you read what the rest of the world is saying? What's here is mild. Its a universal thumbs down for Axl, people seem genuinely enraged with him.

It's not exactly earth shattering news that people hate Axl Rose.  That's been the story for the last 15 years.  And neither Slash nor Axl himself has done very much to lessen that hatred.  I haven't read the comments.  I don't care about the comments.  I'm not the least surprised by the comments.  I honestly don't think Axl cares what general music fans feel about him.  If he does, he's doing a terrible job of showing it.  He's got enough hardcore fans that will still buy into whatever it is that he's selling.  I know that number seems to be dwindling by the day, but they still put on large shows across the world (outside of the US), despite all the hatred for him.  They got bottled off the stage in Dublin, yet they soldiered on.  I somehow doubt a few nasty comments on the internet are going to have the slightest impact on how Axl handles himself in the future.

Look, I'd much rather be talking about releasing new music, or US tour dates, or SOMETHING, ANYTHING positive.  But this has been the story for the last decade plus.  Nobody should be surprised anymore.  I don't see the reason to get all upset about this.  I'm numb to it by now.  Luckily they get back on the road in a few weeks so we have something else to talk about, because I could honestly care less about all this nonsense.  Axl's gonna do what he's gonna do.  That's fine with me.  I have no say in that, nor should I.  Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

...To be honest I was a little surprised the way GH3 came out with the GNR+Slash emphasis...

Naltav wrote:

Bono wrote:

so performing the national anthem is a stunt now?

Of course not! That's just silly-talk!

Performing it before dinner on a special occasion amongst friends and family (or something like that) is not a "stunt"

But doing it like this, imo it is. The organizer of the event gets a little extra "show" out of the event. A celebrity performing the National Anthem draws a larger crowd. Which, if repeated again and again, in the end generates more $$$.

The performer gets their image out there, which if repeated again and again generates more $$$.

Just because hiring celebrities to do the National Anthem have become a tradition over the years, doesn't make it any less of a financial publicity "stunt".

Bono wrote:

All sorts of musicians, professional and non professional have been asked to do this and have taken the opportunity to do it.

Proves only that people love to make money. Shocker!

Bono wrote:

If Axl showed up to sing anthem at the Super Bowl...

I would feel let down and disappointed that my favourite artist that in my mind have, over the years conducted himself in a manner that would indicate that he would rise above an easy way for some "air time"...

Complete and utter nonsense, bordering on nauseating pretentious bullshit.  Now I've heard it all. Somebody always performs the national anthem at professional sporting events so I guess we've got people being "sellouts" every single game. You'd be let down if Axl performed the National Anthem.... Riiiiight   Next you're gonna tell us you'd be heart broken if Axl sang "Take me out to the ball game"  at a Cubs game. My God dude if you think performing the anthem is a cheap and easy way to get some air time why do you even support the band? You obviously have no desire to see them do anything. If you'd be let down with a performance of the national anthem I can only imagine how devestated you'd be with a late night talk show appearance or an SNL appearance or a Super Bowl half time performance.  Also if you think having DJ or Slash or any celebrity perform the national anthem at an NFL game generates more revenue by drawing a  larger crowd you are seriously dellusional.  You honestly sound like tired old cliche when it comes to this stuff. Oh Naltav wouldn't want his favorite artist's integrity jeopardized by performing the national anthem at a public event. It's ok though to do so in the company of friends and family? Again  Who the hell sits around their living room performing the national anthem dude? The national anthem has long been a public performance. Honestly some of the shit you come up with...... I don't get it at all.

For the record seeing Axl sit at a piano singing the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl would be cool as hell.