Target Center presents Guns N’ Roses in Minneapolis, MN on November 13, 2011.
I was introduced to the most dangerous band in the world(back then) in 1986. Live like a Suicide was the record and I did not like it at first. I had Thought who ever was singing was horrible. But after them playing non-stop for about 4 months; I thought “Hey this is kind of good.” Then history was made by Appetite and the Use Your Illusion CDs. We all know the stories, the late concerts, the drugs, the videos, the fights, and of course; the break up.
When Axl was to continue with the band with out the former members we all had our doubts. After many personel changes Chinese Democracy came out. We waited 13 years for the CD, and it was mediocre. To be fair, it was hard to judge something when you wait that long. Over the past 13 years GnR has been in the states for 3 tours. Having seeing the one in 02 and 06 I was excited to see the changes this time around. Only band change this time was DJ Ashba replacing Robin Fink on guitar. Being familiar with Nikki Sixx’s Sixx AM I was excited to see how he would be with GnR.
Adelitas Way opened up the show for a brief set. For more in on them check out there web page www.adelitaswaymusic.net. After an hour and 15 minutes headliner Guns N’ Roses took the stage at 11:15.
With DJ Ashba on the drum riser above Frank Ferrer and giving the salute of metal we were under way.
Axl came out wearing a Black Hat, Jacket and shades. He was looking like he was competing with Kid Rock. Throughout the show, he kept his wardrobe the same with the exception of the hat and shades. Good to see the corn rolls of the past were gone. I was never a fan of the look.
The almost 3 hour show was loaded with new tunes from Chinese Democracy. The rest was a mixture of a lot of Appetite and a lot of cover tunes. Thrown in was AC/DC’s Riff Raff and Whole Lotta Rosie, which was the ‘B’ side to Welcome to the Jungle in 1987. I thought it was cool but some people did not get those 2 songs. Personally I was a little disappointed with the lack of Use Your Illusion songs as there are too many to be ignored. The show lasted quite a while with a lot of individual jams and cover tunes in between their songs.
Axl’s voice was as good as ever. Hitting all the notes on Sweet Child Of Mine and the highs on Knocking On Heavens Door. He worked the stage like a young Axl from the past which was good to see with the classic dancing during a few songs. As the night got later, you could see the crowd getting smaller. Like waiting for there favorite song and then getting on home. But I believe that there is no way can you leave early when a band that comes around every 5 years. Just plan the evening accordingly, and even take the day off the next day if necessary. It was nice to get up close when they were leaving. When you are getting close to the bands you always get to see the band interact with the crowd. After Richard gave a fan a pick on the front row on the side of the stage the fan offered him a bite of his cheese burger. Not sure why but made for a good laugh seeing him refuse the food.
With the band playing their heart out they could have lasted another 2 hours and most of us would have stayed. But then again we would have been there until 5 AM.
Guns N Roses is:
Axl Rose - Vocals / Piano
Dizzy Reed - Piano / Keyboards
Tommy Stinson - Bass
DJ Ashba - Guitar
Richard Fortus - Guitar
Ron Bumblefoot Thai - Guitar
Frank Ferrer - drums
Chris Pitman - Keyboards / Piano
