Commy, I don't think there is any hope at this point.....irreconcilable differences with the record company or the material or something....Axl just can't git-r-done! Truth hurts me just as much as anybody. 2008 is no more the year than 1999....at least Axl actually released a real song then.

Hag-The Best of Merle Haggard
Radiohead-In Rainbows

When I first heard this song two weeks after the Rio 2001 show, I was completely blown away...I thought it was absolutely perfect for that time. He was back and he was bruised but not a beaten man. He wasn't going to be told that he could not overcome the obstacles of his personal relationships, his professional relationships, etc...He was determined to overcome it. Bucket nails that song, Axl gives a very hearfelt introduction, a new era is dawning. I was fucking thrilled. Then, no album that year and we still don't have it. Now, the shine on the song is gone. He hasn't overcome his demons and is in the same position he was in 1999. Still trying to figure out how to release a record.:flame:

Downliner, I think most people in the industry look at the vma performance as sort of a bizarre incident....and many a great artist has had one of those. Axl redeemed himself with the 2006 tour in that he got very good reviews and just simply looked alot better. For God's sake, the VMA's were 5 years ago....time for everyone to let that 10 minute performance go. Ultimately, Axl's legend outside of 87-93 is now going to depend on Chinese. His real comeback, I hope, is yet to come. Whether it is Chinese or a reunion or whatever....

I think Axl stands up to all his contemporaries outside of maybe Reznor who has really picked it up in recent years. Axl did pretty much rule the roost for 6 years. Cornell, Vedder, even Cobain never did that. Cobain was right there for a short while but I don't think those guys had the worldwide impact that Axl and Gnr had.

Historically speaking, I put Axl in the Morrison, Plant, Daltrey, Tyler category....great rock star frontman but not at the songwriting level of Lennon/McCartney, Brian Wilson, Dylan, Hendrix, Jagger/Richards, Townsend, Roger Waters, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, The Boss, Prince etc....truly prolific songwriting monsters.

the people of the 80's through  today above Axl are Reznor, Thom Yorke/Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, Maynard/Adam Jones from Tool, Bono/Edge, Paul Westerberg from the Mats, etc

Again, it is not an insult to be inferior (at this point) to those guys. Of course, it is all opinion, but I am basing my opinion on influence, what other musicians think of these artists, industry respect, and popularity in general with the public.:butt: