photo: Larry Marano/ WireImageWell, anyone who was hoping for a proper Guns N' Roses reunion at this Saturday's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland--or anyone who was at least hoping to see the iconic hard rock band's frontman, Axl Rose, show up with rumored new paramour Lana Del Rey as his date--must be very disappointed right now. Despite comments made by original drummer Steven Adler, who was understandably hoping for a GNR reunion one day, it turns out that Axl has no appetite for reconstruction when it comes to his group's classic '80s lineup. Once and for all ending speculation that he might attend this weekend's Hall Of Fame ceremony in person, on Wednesday Axl penned a VERY open letter to the Los Angeles Times, not only making it clear that he'll be sitting out the ceremony, but actually requesting that he not be inducted into the Hall at all.
"When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation," Axl's letter began.
"Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out," he continued. "Taking into consideration the history of Guns N' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in 'our' induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things... no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected.
"That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of 'Guns N' Roses.'"
Axl's entire rant to the L.A. Times can be read here.
Considering which GNR members are confirmed to show up at this weekend's Hall Of Fame ceremony, it almost looks like Saturday's show will seem more like a Velvet Revolver reunion than a celebration of GNR's legacy. Along with Adler, Slash's GNR/Velvet Revolver bandmate, Duff McKagan, will attend; it is still unclear if original GNR guitarist Izzy Stradlin, who has guested occasionally with Axl's controversial new GNR lineup over the years, will show.
In Axl's L.A. Times letter, the estranged singer also stated: "The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of 'for the fans' or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current [Guns N' Roses] lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and DJ Ashba."
Perhaps Axl's no-show comes as no surprise to anyone who read Slash's recent interview with Rolling Stone, in which the top-hatted axe-slinger bristled when asked about a potential Hall Of Fame reunion. "This is a subject I'm dead sick of talking about," Slash said at the time. "Everyone has been asking me what's going to happen, and they know as much as I do. I feel you're totally obligated to be present and I would love to f****ing play, but it's just something that's not gonna happen for whatever reason....[Axl] hates my guts. It's over a lot of different stuff; I don't even know. There's just no communication between us. I talk to Duff and Steven, but when it comes to old Guns N' Roses, there really isn't anybody that makes decisions."
Green Day will induct GNR into the Hall, which means we may very well see Billie Joe Armstrong filling in for the absent Axl at Saturday's ceremony. Other '80s/'90s stars in attendance, as 2012 Hall inductees, will include the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys.
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