So who are the original members of Guns N’ Roses? Are you reffering to Axl, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven Adler? Not really. I don’t think Guns N’ Roses has any original members of the band. But I would say this though, there is only one original member of the band. That is no one other than Axl Rose himself of course. He is the one that created the band and the one that formed the band all by himself.
Those 4 members I listed above may have played on the first two Gn’R albums “Gn’R Lies” and “Destruction”, but they certainly aren’t the original members. Gn’R had different members way before they even went in the studio to record their first album “Lies”.
Gn’R had different members over the years, it wasn’t always Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven, although those four members created the band’s original sound and became what they became today. Matt Sorum the drummer for Velvet Revolver is not Gn’R’s original drummer, Sorum didn’t join the band until “Use Your Illusion I and II”. That is when Dizzy Reed joined also.
Axl Rose IS Gn’r. His band can still be Gn’r without Slash, Izzy, Steven and Duff. Without Axl Rose, Gn’r would be nothing. Just like Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant would be nothing. A band can always have different members as it pleases as long as it keeps it’s frontman that created the band or a band’s leading hero. Axl Rose is the only important original member ’cause it’s his creation. Think about it and use common sense.
If you create something, you have complete control of everything yourself. Billy Corgan is able to go on with the Smashing Pumpkins with different members because he’s the creator and the band’s leader. The Smashing Pumpkins isn’t always going to be about D’arcy and James Iha. The Rolling Stones had different members over the years, the same for Aerosmith and Van Halen.
All them legendary bands can keep going on with different members as they please as long as they keep their leading heros that made the band for what it is today. For example, the Rolling Stones would be nothing without Mick and Keith. Aerosmith would be nothing without Steven Tyler and Joe Perry but they can keep having different members all they want to. Van Halen can continue to evolve with new members ’cause Van Halen would be nothing without Eddie Van Halen, the band’s main hero. Where would Ac/Dc be without Angus and Malcolm? Queen can go on without Freddie Mercurcy because Brian May is the hero and main man and he has the power to do that if he pleases. Metallica can have different bass players but Metallica would be nothing without James, Kirk and Lars ’cause they are the leaders.
When people say Gn’R is not Gn’R without Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven…I just laugh. Axl Rose is Guns N’ Roses, I’ll repeat myself once again. It’s all about moving forward in music. Not backwards. I love the work on “Chinese Democracy” and I personally think the musicians that played on “Democracy” are better musicians than the older Gn’r members.
From what I read on the Blabbermouth website, the former Gn’r members were very approval of “Democracy” and they seem to love Axl’s work with the new album too. So they definitely approve of Axl doing the new album without them. “Democracy” is great work and a piece of art. It is worth the wait in my opinion.
So, those so called “fans” of Guns N’ Roses who keep slamming the band and Axl Rose for recording “Chinese Democracy” without it’s so called original members, have no idea what music is all about. Axl was looking for the right sound, Axl wanted to give what the songs needed. If Axl had Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven played on “Democracy”, the songs wouldn’t sound like they are now. Axl has different band members over the years for a reason. It’s all about looking for the right musicians who know’s what his songs needs. Fitting the right sound and style of playing.
Maybe that is why Axl cut Bryan May’s guitar tracks off “Catcher in the Rye” and put Bumblefoot’s tracks in there instead ’cause Axl wanted a different feel of the song of what he hears in his head. Axl is just being careful and taking his slow time with the music, to make sure he’s putting out good music. Axl wanted a new sound with the new Guns N’ Roses, evolving into a new sound rather than trying to recapture the classic 80’s sound. The hair metal thing is over and done with. Hair metal is dead. Get over it. It’s all about exploring new sounds and styles. Not all bands want to stay in the same style of music.
Axl is making music and his songs how he wants to make them. Music fans that bash Guns N’ Roses are delusional and need to use common sense. Axl is doing what he wants to do just like all musicians do what they want to do in their careers. Give the man a break. Shhhheeeesssshhhhh…
Kev
K'Brocking 
My understanding is that the band was formed by Axl Rose and Tracii Guns and called “Hollywood Rose”. Tracii left to form L.A. Guns and Axl changed the name to Guns ‘N Roses. The closest thing to an original member besides Axl would be Izzy.
This is a good story though. It shows how many ignorant people there are out there that want to complain about something they do not even know about.
My understanding is that the band was formed by Axl Rose and Tracii Guns and called “Hollywood Rose”. Tracii left to form L.A. Guns and Axl changed the name to Guns ‘N Roses. The closest thing to an original member besides Axl would be Izzy.
This is a good story though. It shows how many ignorant people there are out there that want to complain about something they do not even know about.
How right you are Kev! Axl IS Guns n Roses, though they wrote better songs when Izzy was in the band. You’re right about Queen too, they are just as good or better without Freddie Mercury, I don’t think Aerosmith needs Joe Perry, they’d be just as good with Steven Tyler. The Stones don’t need Keith, they do him a favor keeping him in the band. I do think that Rainbow need Joe Lynn Turner in the band to be good though.
How right you are Kev! Axl IS Guns n Roses, though they wrote better songs when Izzy was in the band. You’re right about Queen too, they are just as good or better without Freddie Mercury, I don’t think Aerosmith needs Joe Perry, they’d be just as good with Steven Tyler. The Stones don’t need Keith, they do him a favor keeping him in the band. I do think that Rainbow need Joe Lynn Turner in the band to be good though.
you make a very compelling point, however sometimes there’s also a secondary musical core member that is important too. using your Smashing Pumpkins example, we all know what happened to their music when Jimmy Chamberlin left the band — it got a lot worse. And it improved when he was back. So using this analogy, if Axl and Corgan play the same role, then you cna make the argument that Slash and Chamberlin play the same role (i.e. the secondary, non-creator but amazing musician role…that helped define the band). I think this is the hump that people can’t get over, imo.
Now in regards to James and Darcy, they seem to be important to ppl for an entirely different reason — i.e. not the music creation, not the musical skill or prowess, but simply what people have in their head as the “image” of the band. I think the same thing goes for GnR and Slash. Because while there’s no technical reason Axl can’t move forward with GnR on his own, it all comes down to what people perceive the image of the band should be.
More examples: the musical and creative core of STP are the DeLeo brothers….but can they truly be STP without Weiland? Some may say NO, but look at Alice in Chains…they have moved forward (and are recording a new album) with a replacement singer because Jerry Cantrell is at the core.
So what am I trying to say? Simply that people’s perception varies on a case by case basis. Despite creative leaders, some people just want certain ppl included for the sake of the image. I know this doesn’t make sense, but it certainly feeds into all the BS comments ppl are making…about GnR about SP, etc.
In my personal opinion: if the execution of the back catalog is there, the creative core is there, and the musical core is there, well then that’s the band. End of story. Fact is if these are the members that are up on stage playing the music with passion, why should we give a shit about the people who don’t want to get involved just because they used to give a shit.
you make a very compelling point, however sometimes there’s also a secondary musical core member that is important too. using your Smashing Pumpkins example, we all know what happened to their music when Jimmy Chamberlin left the band — it got a lot worse. And it improved when he was back. So using this analogy, if Axl and Corgan play the same role, then you cna make the argument that Slash and Chamberlin play the same role (i.e. the secondary, non-creator but amazing musician role…that helped define the band). I think this is the hump that people can’t get over, imo.
Now in regards to James and Darcy, they seem to be important to ppl for an entirely different reason — i.e. not the music creation, not the musical skill or prowess, but simply what people have in their head as the “image” of the band. I think the same thing goes for GnR and Slash. Because while there’s no technical reason Axl can’t move forward with GnR on his own, it all comes down to what people perceive the image of the band should be.
More examples: the musical and creative core of STP are the DeLeo brothers….but can they truly be STP without Weiland? Some may say NO, but look at Alice in Chains…they have moved forward (and are recording a new album) with a replacement singer because Jerry Cantrell is at the core.
So what am I trying to say? Simply that people’s perception varies on a case by case basis. Despite creative leaders, some people just want certain ppl included for the sake of the image. I know this doesn’t make sense, but it certainly feeds into all the BS comments ppl are making…about GnR about SP, etc.
In my personal opinion: if the execution of the back catalog is there, the creative core is there, and the musical core is there, well then that’s the band. End of story. Fact is if these are the members that are up on stage playing the music with passion, why should we give a shit about the people who don’t want to get involved just because they used to give a shit.
Because of false advertising, that’s why. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter. A tuna and jelly sandwich also is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And no, the type of bread does not matter in this metaphor, BUT it must be bread and not any type of roll. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees with me.
Because of false advertising, that’s why. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter. A tuna and jelly sandwich also is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And no, the type of bread does not matter in this metaphor, BUT it must be bread and not any type of roll. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees with me.
Because of false advertising, that’s why. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter. A tuna and jelly sandwich also is not a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And no, the type of bread does not matter in this metaphor, BUT it must be bread and not any type of roll. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees with me.
thank you so much! you are so right!
i thought i was the only one who understands axl and gnr, but you do too
i agree 100% with you
sure appetite was good, but since i bought democracy i cannot keep away, it is fukin awesome and the best album ever! as it happens, i am listening to it right now as i write this, I.R.S jst finished and Madagascar jst started!
i think i can relate to u, i have always sed the only way gnr can stop being gr is if axl left, and its true! but nobody believes me, everyday i put up with the slack, i dont care, GNR is my life, and AXL IS GUNS N ROSES and he is GOD!
your true btw, the band started by tracci guns called L.A Guns tho, then axl came and called it guns n roses, then tracci left cos he arguwed with axl, so slash joined and they kept the name!
if people say gnr ended after the original members left, they r basically implieing that it ended when tracii guns and others left, NOT TRUE THOUGH!!
I LOVE GNR FOREVER and their musical ability lives on
‘This i Love’ is playing now lol
thanks for this rant, i soon hope people understand!
i hope u reply please
xx gnr biggest fan
thank you so much! you are so right!
i thought i was the only one who understands axl and gnr, but you do too
i agree 100% with you
sure appetite was good, but since i bought democracy i cannot keep away, it is fukin awesome and the best album ever! as it happens, i am listening to it right now as i write this, I.R.S jst finished and Madagascar jst started!
i think i can relate to u, i have always sed the only way gnr can stop being gr is if axl left, and its true! but nobody believes me, everyday i put up with the slack, i dont care, GNR is my life, and AXL IS GUNS N ROSES and he is GOD!
your true btw, the band started by tracci guns called L.A Guns tho, then axl came and called it guns n roses, then tracci left cos he arguwed with axl, so slash joined and they kept the name!
if people say gnr ended after the original members left, they r basically implieing that it ended when tracii guns and others left, NOT TRUE THOUGH!!
I LOVE GNR FOREVER and their musical ability lives on
‘This i Love’ is playing now lol
thanks for this rant, i soon hope people understand!
i hope u reply please
xx gnr biggest fan
aaaahhh sorry man BIG LAAAAAG! my pc went fucking crazy haha loads of comments m confused i cant get rid of them. sorry.
aaaahhh sorry man BIG LAAAAAG! my pc went fucking crazy haha loads of comments m confused i cant get rid of them. sorry.
While I do not consider them Guns ‘N Roses, Axl Rose has said he needed to keep the name to get the money to make the album and I believe and understand him. If it wasn’t for this condition, I would be mad. Here’s why:
Ya’ know, their is such a thing as a band and not a solo artist. A band is usually made up of musicians who coaporate (with some exeptions.) Although a band can change it’s lineup, usually, when most of the main writers and/or those with a great stage presents leave, they start to sound, feel, look, and act differently. When a band first forms, many people come and leave and it is hard to call them an official band. When this band has a sucsessful album, that is when it starts to be formed. For this one band called “Guns ‘N Roses” Axl Rose, Izzy stradlin, and Slash were the main writers.
While I do not consider them Guns ‘N Roses, Axl Rose has said he needed to keep the name to get the money to make the album and I believe and understand him. If it wasn’t for this condition, I would be mad. Here’s why:
Ya’ know, their is such a thing as a band and not a solo artist. A band is usually made up of musicians who coaporate (with some exeptions.) Although a band can change it’s lineup, usually, when most of the main writers and/or those with a great stage presents leave, they start to sound, feel, look, and act differently. When a band first forms, many people come and leave and it is hard to call them an official band. When this band has a sucsessful album, that is when it starts to be formed. For this one band called “Guns ‘N Roses” Axl Rose, Izzy stradlin, and Slash were the main writers.
Axl and traci started it and also you said axl is gnr but what music could they make with just a singer? Think about that
Axl and traci started it and also you said axl is gnr but what music could they make with just a singer? Think about that
I’m agree. The original members are Axl, Izzy,Tracii,Ole e Rob. I adore Appetite for Destruction, Lies, UYI I&II, The Spaghetti Incident, but Chinese Democracy..is too much beautiful.It’s a masterpiece. So I thanks Axl and Ron,Chris,Frank,Tommy,Richard, and Robin,Brain and Buckethead for they great work!
I’m agree. The original members are Axl, Izzy,Tracii,Ole e Rob. I adore Appetite for Destruction, Lies, UYI I&II, The Spaghetti Incident, but Chinese Democracy..is too much beautiful.It’s a masterpiece. So I thanks Axl and Ron,Chris,Frank,Tommy,Richard, and Robin,Brain and Buckethead for they great work!
And Dizzy!!( I can’t forget him…Street of dreams sounds amazing!!! 🙂 )
And Dizzy!!( I can’t forget him…Street of dreams sounds amazing!!! 🙂 )