'Democracy' Will Prevail in November
GnRs Long-Awaited 'Democracy'
(At least) Thirteen years in the making and $13 million spent during production, Axl Rose's long, lost Guns N' Roses album 'Chinese Democracy' has become a music industry enigma. Now that it's finally being released on Nov. 23, take a look at the history of the legendarily delayed album.
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In all those years, Rose has gone through at least three studios, four producers and countless musicians during the recording process of 'Democracy.' Rose has notorious issues with creative control and perfectionism, and hoped 'Democracy' would be the greatest album ever made.
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Guns N' Roses was one of the most important and influential bands to come out of the '80s, as their aggressive, blues-heavy take on rock was a delight amid the rash of light hair-metal fare.
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Axl's staggering ability to go from shrill screams to sensitive ballads to staccato bursts of half-words gave GnR an vocal edge over many softer late '80s acts.
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Slash, seen here rocking with Michael Jackson at the 1995 Video Music Awards, was nearly instrumental in the success and image of GnR as Axl. The top-hatted axeman pulled notes out of his blond Les Paul like few before him.
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Their landmark 1987 debut album 'Appetite for Destruction' album is often considered among the top records of the past 25 years, and some consider it to be one of the best rock records of all time.
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Clashes between the bandmates, however, did them in. Axl's unpredictable temper often wound up in him walking off of the stage mid-show, which incited riots in some cases. His bandmates eventually had enough of it.
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In an iconic moment in the video for their epic 'November Rain,' Slash walks out on Axl's wedding to play solo in the desert. Many view this as a metaphor for the eventual breakup of the band.
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Slash, who was the band's lead guitarist, has been the most oustpoken against Rose, often saying that he has zero interest in ever playing with him again. He currently mans the axe for Velvet Revolver.
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Rose did his best to revive the band's legacy by coming out of retirement for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards ... only he was the only ex-GnR member on stage. While exciting, the anything-goes danger certainly wasn't there.
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