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The National
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Review: Guns N' Roses play Human Being live for first time in tribute to Axl Rose's late idol
There are only two acts I can remember who came on stage precisely at the advertised 8pm start time – Selena Gomez and Guns N' Roses. That the latter was once one of the most notoriously tardy bands in the history of rock n' roll is not lost on me. But that's a testament to what Guns N' Roses have become in 2025. Their misbehaviour may be the stuff of legend, and feuds may have kept the core members – Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan – apart for more than two decades, but it's been about 10 years since they made amends. This is not a victory lap or a quick cash grab – this is a band built to last for decades to come. And it makes sense that they would follow in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, Elton John and Paul McCartney and potentially play into their eighties. This has always been a band built on those influences – which made them an anachronism even when they debuted in 1985. At that time, their power as a unit was so mighty that they nearly single-handedly pushed mainstream hard rock back to the 70s – the decade when classic rock came to its own – for better and for worse. And now, with each core member either in or approaching their sixties, they're one of the few bands keeping classic rock alive in 2025. Not all the band's 70s heroes are still on stage, of course. In February, the music world lost David Johansen, the front man of the proto-punk pioneers New York Dolls. Johansen's famed on-stage swagger was one of the key influences on Rose, which he has been vocal about since GNR's early days. Most famously, the band paid tribute to the Dolls on their 1993 album The Spaghetti Incident?, covering their 1974 deep cut, Human Being. But for decades, the band never played their New York Dolls cover live. That made it particularly moving when Guns N' Roses played Human Being live on stage in Abu Dhabi for the first time in their history. Rose noted the debut with a smile, along with a tribute to his late hero. It's rare the band has looked this happy and healthy. Rose no longer sports the long hair and bandana, and looks and sounds noticeably better than he did when the band reformed in 2016, which allows him and his cohorts to breeze through a more than three-hour show at Etihad Arena – hitting all the right notes. Slash, on the other hand, remains ageless – his style has never changed, nor has his immaculate and virtuoso playing style. And most importantly, their camaraderie is palpable, with no signs of discord between them. The band, accompanied by their capable new drummer Isaac Carpenter, who joined the band in March, toured through all their beloved hits, starting with Welcome to the Jungle and ending with Paradise City, as they often do. Sweet Child o' Mine, and their covers of Bob Dylan's Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Wings' Live and Let Die were joyously performed. They even reached for some deep cuts, performing Attitude and Reckless Life for the first time on their current tour, and Used To Love Her for the first time since 2018. While the energy of the crowd may not have matched their 2017 show at Dubai's Autism Rocks Arena, which had 30,000 thrilled fans comes to see the reunited line-up for the first time – that is to be expected. This is the band's fifth time in the UAE, after all – and second time in Etihad Arena so far this decade. But their return is welcome, nonetheless, and marks perhaps their best performance yet. If this is the Guns N' Roses we're going to get for the next few decades, the UAE will welcome them back gladly each time.
The National
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Timeframe: Guns N' Roses and their 15-year connection with the UAE
Guns N' Roses' Abu Dhabi concert this month is a continuation of their 15-year love affair with the UAE. They are one of the few major rock acts to have performed consistently in the country and across the Gulf during that period. Fans in the UAE have seen the band at various stages of their career: from the time it was essentially a solo vehicle for Axl Rose, backed by hired hands, to the reunion of the classic line-up, including guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan. The band continues to sell out arenas around the world. Their visits to the UAE have mirrored Abu Dhabi's own evolution as a live events destination, from their shows at Etihad Park, the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and their sold-out concerts at Etihad Arena. Each of these packed shows not only reaffirmed the UAE's place on the band's touring map, but also laid the groundwork for other hard rock acts. These have included everyone from Metallica to upcoming gigs by Limp Bizkit and Smashing Pumpkins, who are making their first visit to the city. Their impact would have been hard to predict when Guns N' Roses first came to Abu Dhabi in 2010. With Rose the only remaining member from the classic line-up, it was difficult to muster much enthusiasm beyond the novelty of the group's first UAE performance. Yet the show turned out to be a triumph of will for Rose, who delivered a two-hour-plus set featuring 23 songs – including hits and defiant cuts from their 2008 album Chinese Democracy. Former keyboardist Dizzy Reed remembered the band's first Abu Dhabi visit as memorable for what happened offstage. 'It was trippy,' he told The National in 2013. 'We saw Emirates Palace and the world's most expensive Christmas tree. We also caught a soccer game and went to this yacht club – it was pretty amazing.' With the novelty of a first appearance gone, Guns N' Roses' return to Etihad Park three years later – with the same line-up – was a no-frills affair in the best way, featuring a set list that stretched to nearly 30 songs. According to The National's review, Rose was on scintillating form. 'No lip-synching from this guy – a physical performer, he ran himself breathless at times – yet Rose hit the right notes all the time, every time, proving he can still snarl, scream and roar,' wrote The National's Ellen Fortini. 'The band was gelled, tight, and put on a memorable show. Every bit of it came across as genuine, even Rose himself, who laughed, smiled, danced, strutted and spun his way through the set with a few well-timed and good-natured microphone stand tosses.' Perhaps as a reward for staying the course, Rose returned to the UAE in 2017 with the reformed classic line-up, delivering a sold-out performance in front of nearly 30,000 people at Dubai's Autism Rocks Arena. The return of Slash and McKagan brought a renewed energy and added potency to what was a thrilling show. 'Do the three reassembled key players like each other? Does it even matter? Bands have been built on money and ego for as long as recorded music has existed. Do they have the same cultural zeitgeist – the same whiff of danger and ability to shock – that they did 25 years ago? Of course not,' read The National's review of the show. 'But Slash and Duff's return has comfortably upgraded the group's legacy from a touring tribute circus outfit to long-reigning rock 'n' roll heroes. And on the basis of this euphoric, knockout juggernaut of a show, there's no rock band of the past three decades who can rival the might of Guns N' Roses.' After cementing the reformation's staying power with a follow-up show at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix a year later, the band went one better by choosing the UAE capital as the opening stop of their 2023 world tour. This time, they dug deep into their catalogue, performing Bad Obsession and Pretty Tied Up for the first time in 30 years, and featuring McKagan on lead vocals for the first time for their cover of T.V. Eye by The Stooges. With no new music reportedly on the horizon, Guns N' Roses' return to the UAE may seem minor, but their enduring relationship with the region reflects a band comfortable to dig deep into their catalogue, and a fan base embracing them in whatever form they take.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Rock band Guns N' Roses returns to India after 13 years, gives electrifying performance in Mumbai
ANI 18 May 2025, 15:12 GMT+10 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 18 (ANI): Rock band Guns N' Roses performed at a jam-packed venue in Mumbai on Saturday to mark their return to India after 13 years. The rock band performed in India as a part of their ongoing Asia tour. The show took place at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai. All the members of Guns N' Roses were present at the event, including Axl Rose (Vocals, Piano), Duff McKagan (Bass) and Slash (Lead Guitar). With the electrifying performance of the rock band, the Mahalakshmi Race Course transformed into a sea of screaming fans and blazing lights. In the visuals shared by Guns N' Roses, the fans were seen dancing and singing the popular songs of the band as they performed on the stage. The rock band expressed their gratitude to their fans in Mumbai for attending the show in large numbers. Guns N' Roses shared glimpses from their performance in Mumbai on their Instagram handle. The band members gave their best to entertain the crowd with their over-the-top performance and iconic songs. The rock band Guns N' Roses will next perform in Bahrain on May 20. Their tour will end on July 31. (ANI)
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Queen, Guns N' Roses And AC/DC Hit The Same Milestone Together
Linkin Park, Metallica, Queen, AC/DC, and even 3 Doors Down and more see smashes hit 250 weeks on ... More the Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart. DETROIT, MI - MAY 7: (L-R) Drummer Steven Adler, Duff McKagan, vocals Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and guitarist Izzy Stradlin of the music group Guns N' Roses pose for a portrait on May 7, 1988, at the Detroit State Theater in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by) Hard rock may not dominate the mainstream like it once did, but many of the genre's most famous hits continue to rack up massive play counts on streaming platforms week after week. This frame, a number of beloved classics simultaneously reach a major milestone on Billboard's Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart, showing indisputably that huge numbers of people continue to stream them non-stop, even after years – or, in some cases, decades. Some of them have become so consistently popular that it's difficult to imagine a time when they won't be featured on the tally. Out of the 25 songs currently featured on Billboard's Hard Rock Streaming Songs chart, eight of them now claim a staggering 250 weeks on the list. Nearly one-third of the roster is made up of tunes that have remained among the most-played in the style in the U.S. for almost five years — a feat few songs in any genre can match. The list of legendary hits that have now reached this impressive mark includes 'Kryptonite' by Three Doors Down, 'Numb' and 'In the End' by Linkin Park, 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC, 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses, 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen, and 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi. A closer look at the upper tier of the current chart shows just how popular these titles are to this day. This week, half of the top 10 tracks on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs ranking are the ones celebrating 250 weeks on the list. Three Doors Down's 'Kryptonite' is the highest-ranking among them, holding steady at No. 2. Just ahead at No. 1 is Creed's 'One Last Breath,' which remains unmoved from its perch. Linkin Park stands out as the only act with two entries among the 250-week club. Impressively, both 'Numb' and 'In the End' are also situated within the top five. While eight tunes have now reached 250 frames on the tally, several others are on the cusp of achieving the same feat. Foo Fighters' 'Everlong' is just behind with 230 weeks, and Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life,' featuring Paul McCoy, isn't far off either with 248. Perhaps the most agonizingly close of all is AC/DC's 'Back in Black.' The classic rock anthem is now up to 249 weeks on the chart. Barring a major drop-off in plays, it's all but certain the cut will join the 250-week club next frame – and if it doesn't do so in a few days, it surely will sometime in the near future.
Fox News
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Guns N' Roses' drummer Frank Ferrer leaves band after 19 years, new member joins tour
Guns N' Roses is parting ways with Frank Ferrer, the longest-serving drummer in the band's run. On Wednesday, the band made the announcement and thanked Ferrer "for his friendship, creativity, and sturdy presence over the past 19 years." They also wished him "success in the next chapter of his musical journey." Frank first joined the band during a show in June 2006, helping to anchor the rhythm section during subsequent tours, including their recent outings featuring the reunited trio of Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan, according to a press release. His last show with the band took place on November 5, 2023, in Mexico. On Wednesday, the band's official Instagram account also posted a tribute of their own. "Thank you, Frank. For the friendship, creativity and sturdy presence over the last 19 years," the caption read, alongside a photo of the band overlooking an impressive crowd. On Thursday, the band announced the arrival of Isaac Carpenter as its newest drummer, who will join G&R for their 2025 European, Asian and Middle East Tour, headlining stadiums and festivals throughout the summer. Carpenter is an accomplished American drummer and songwriter known for his dynamic contributions to alternative, hard rock and beyond, a press release obtained by Fox News Digital stated. The drummer has worked with Duff McKagan's Loaded, Awolnation, Adam Lambert, the hardcore metal outfit Barbarians of California, A Perfect Circle, The Exies, Ours and Black Lab, in addition to his large session, film and TV roster. Carpenter has made a name for himself by "uniquely blending versatility and groove with crushing force and technical skill, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted drummer in the industry," the press release read.
