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Guns N’ Roses Defend Rock In Rio Show
Guns N’ Roses doesn’t have the best reputation for being punctual. This time around, GNR has a whole bunch of excuses to explain why the band started its Rock In Rio performance late.
Axl Rose and the band closed out
A week later Guns N’ Roses released an official statement to Blabbermouth.net to defend why the band reportedly began its performance two hours late. In its Oct.11 post Blabbermouth pointed out that GNR sent out its statement a day after Rock In Rio festival organizer Roberto Medina told Globo.com’s Extra that Rose’s behavior at the event displayed “a lack of commitment” and “respect for the public.”
The band’s statement is below:
“Guns N’ Roses would like to set the record straight on Rock In Rio. The festival’s inadequate production and the downpour of rain delayed the event. Anyone who was there knows that System Of A Down did not leave the stage until close to 1:15 in the morning. System’s extensive stage production did not finish coming offstage until 1:45 a.m. GN’R’s production was up and ready to go at 2:15 a.m. Axl [Rose, Guns N’ Roses lead singer] got to the venue before 1 a.m. and he came ready to go onstage. The inadequate cover of the Rock In Rio stage caused a further delay when the soundboard went down due to water damage and was replaced as quick as possible. GN’R walked onstage at 2:40 a.m. and played for two-and-a-half hours in the pouring rain. GN’R would never seek to intentionally disrespect anyone, especially their fans.”
Photo: AP Photo
Rock In Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Before pointing a finger at the rain, System Of A Down, and the festival’s production and stage cover, Guns N’ Roses posted an Oct. 7 note on GNR’s official Facebook wall telling fans to get over the band’s signature late set times.
“Love it Hate it Accept it Debate it – You want 8 o’clock shows go find F-R-I-E-N-D-S or hit a cinema somewhere … or you wanna be informed go catch the 10 o’clock news … this is Rock N’ Roll! Treat yourself don’t cheat yourself thinking you’re gonna go to school or work or whatever you ‘normally’ do the next day. Oh and remember before you get high and never want to come down. ‘You can have anything you want but you better not take it from me!’ This is Guns N’Roses and when the time is right the stage will ignite. Looking forward to sharing that with rockers soon!”
Click here for Blabbermouth.com’s post.
Click here for Guns N’ Roses’ Facebook page.