Oh man, this book by Stephen Davis sounds great. WANT. I’ve said for years that GNR is maybe my favorite rock band ever (this, coming from someone who’s not really much into rock). Check out this bit from the intro:
An old man limped over to them. He gave them the once-over, seeming to linger over Bill’s cowboy boots. Bill was becoming uneasy now, his friend noticed, which was never a good thing, because, when agitated or upset, Bill’s behavior could get a little out there. Finally, the old man spoke, or rather squawked, in a high-pitched shriek: “DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?” The boys, taken aback, just looked at him. “I SAID, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?” Bill Bailey said, “Uh, we’re just trying to get to…” “YOU’RE IN THE JUNGLE, BABY!”
Bill Bailey, of course, is W. Axl Rose’s childhood name (but interestingly, not his given name). Sounds awesome.
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/08/exclusive_excerpt.html
001 // Matthew Pennell // 09.01.2008 // 1:46 AM
Sounds good. I bought Slash’s autobiography the other day - not quite as out there as Motley Crue’s ‘The Dirt’, but interesting nevertheless.
002 // Josh Sheets // 09.14.2008 // 10:33 PM
There is no doubt that I will buy this book, but I would sure like to know who his sources were. We have all read books like this in the past, some about GNR already, and you have to ask yourself, are these old aquaintences trying to score a buck on a much sought after story, willing to bend truth into myth at any turn to dazzle an avid fan. Just a thought, but it makes ya think, how much of this is true, and will we get any confirmation. Doubt it.
003 // ron // 09.24.2008 // 5:18 PM
I read the book well written and accurate and also was witness to many shows of GUNS N ROSES (great band!) and others great bands as well before they got their deals. The other band that stands out to me is one with a chapter named ofter them SHARK ISLAND. SHARK ISLAND & GNR were my favorites and I picked them both to be huge, well at least I was right about one. It is true AXL ripped of RICHARD BLACK totally and never gave him any credit or even acknowledgement, that was a BS move Billy. Old GNR is awesome and so far n ot impressed by the new tunes.
Later