Welcome To My Ego
Hearing news of Axl's recent escapades in South America (check out The Hanging Tree for what went down) got my noodle a' ponderin'. If history had been different for Guns N Roses, if all original members were still active, on good terms and making relevant music, would we still have the same "poor Axle" disposition that just comes natural to us? Most likely not but that's what speculation is for - speculation.
Axl Rose was poised to be the next great rock journeyman - even if he wasn't the smartest tool in the shed at times. When Appetite For Destruction took off at the end of the 80s, GNR became the most important American band since Aerosmith. They somehow managed a way to fit perfectly in the decadent "gllam rock" scene as well as the "classic rock scene". When I hear "Girls Girls Girls" by Motley Crue, I laugh. When I hear "Welcome to the Jungle" I turn the volume up and then I laugh.
But somewhere down the road the band self destructed. Axl's ego exploded prompting Slash and company to exit. Axl promised to continue and already named his latest Guns effort asChinese Democracy. But that was 1994.
Long story short: Guy tries to create a rock masterpiece, spends millions of dollars and more than a decade trying to do so. Then when all is said and done, his "masterwork" is outsold by Taylor Swift. No one cared and Axl's ego was dealt a heavy blow. Those close to the singer have said the he was so depressed by lackluster sales he spent weeks hold up in his room.
Yet the broader concept we can take away from Rose's infamous actions and stunning decline from the height of rock super stardom is the concept of the rock journeyman's death.
Elder statesmen in rock were essential 40 years ago. When Elvis burst on the scene in 1956 and changed the face of pop culture forever, weary Bible Thumpers and uppity critics scoffed at woogie boogie rock as nothing but 12 bar blues played fast for young trouble makers to dance or - even worse - kiss outside of marriage! Pop music needed a good PR guy to show that it was more than candy coated goodness. Rock had to mean something and someone had to prove it.
Enter the likes of John Lennon, Pete Townshend and Bob Dylan. They made music that still reverberates to this day as well as proved what kind of potential rock had. It was more than just songs of heart break or a good excuse to cut a rug. Townshend claimed he wanted to die before he got old. Dylan spoke to the American soul during the Civil Rights movement. Lennon gave hope to avant garde Asian groupies everywhere.
With rock n' roll long since established, the need and importance of the journeyman has slowly diminished. The only people who come to mind for this generation of rock stars is Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. But what do they do besides churn out one consistent album after another? They don't stand for anything other than good music and awesome facial hair. Is that the only criteria needed to be be a professor in pop music?
Axl Rose was poised to be the next great rock journeyman - even if he wasn't the smartest tool in the shed at times. When Appetite For Destruction took off at the end of the 80s, GNR became the most important American band since Aerosmith. They somehow managed a way to fit perfectly in the decadent "gllam rock" scene as well as the "classic rock scene". When I hear "Girls Girls Girls" by Motley Crue, I laugh. When I hear "Welcome to the Jungle" I turn the volume up and then I laugh.
But somewhere down the road the band self destructed. Axl's ego exploded prompting Slash and company to exit. Axl promised to continue and already named his latest Guns effort asChinese Democracy. But that was 1994.
Long story short: Guy tries to create a rock masterpiece, spends millions of dollars and more than a decade trying to do so. Then when all is said and done, his "masterwork" is outsold by Taylor Swift. No one cared and Axl's ego was dealt a heavy blow. Those close to the singer have said the he was so depressed by lackluster sales he spent weeks hold up in his room.
Yet the broader concept we can take away from Rose's infamous actions and stunning decline from the height of rock super stardom is the concept of the rock journeyman's death.
Elder statesmen in rock were essential 40 years ago. When Elvis burst on the scene in 1956 and changed the face of pop culture forever, weary Bible Thumpers and uppity critics scoffed at woogie boogie rock as nothing but 12 bar blues played fast for young trouble makers to dance or - even worse - kiss outside of marriage! Pop music needed a good PR guy to show that it was more than candy coated goodness. Rock had to mean something and someone had to prove it.
Enter the likes of John Lennon, Pete Townshend and Bob Dylan. They made music that still reverberates to this day as well as proved what kind of potential rock had. It was more than just songs of heart break or a good excuse to cut a rug. Townshend claimed he wanted to die before he got old. Dylan spoke to the American soul during the Civil Rights movement. Lennon gave hope to avant garde Asian groupies everywhere.
With rock n' roll long since established, the need and importance of the journeyman has slowly diminished. The only people who come to mind for this generation of rock stars is Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. But what do they do besides churn out one consistent album after another? They don't stand for anything other than good music and awesome facial hair. Is that the only criteria needed to be be a professor in pop music?
The Greatest Monument To Ambitious Music Ever
Sure Jack White might come into the conversation but at this point it's too soon to judge his career. But the big question with him is - can you be progressive by being regressive? But if Vedder and Grohl can be counted simply for making good tunes for more than 10 years, so can White.
But the fall of Axl Rose marks the turning point. He possesses the same drive and ego of Lennon and other previously mentioned greats, but his desires and ambitions didn't reflect the times - which is surprising given the fact Republicans held control of the White House.
Since his public demise no other notable rocker has attempted to fill the void. Perhaps Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins but look what that got him. A dissolved band, hair line and a trophy on Jessica Simpson's mantle piece.
I suppose there is a greater lesson for the every man to be found. The best way to make it big now is simply to chug beer and grow a thick wolf man like patch of hair on your face. I've just got a soul patch.
But the fall of Axl Rose marks the turning point. He possesses the same drive and ego of Lennon and other previously mentioned greats, but his desires and ambitions didn't reflect the times - which is surprising given the fact Republicans held control of the White House.
Since his public demise no other notable rocker has attempted to fill the void. Perhaps Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins but look what that got him. A dissolved band, hair line and a trophy on Jessica Simpson's mantle piece.
I suppose there is a greater lesson for the every man to be found. The best way to make it big now is simply to chug beer and grow a thick wolf man like patch of hair on your face. I've just got a soul patch.
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