Dear Guns N' Roses Fans:
Quit your whining.
I thought about how can I properly open this communiqué to you all and that is the most comprehensive and genuine beginning.
This year has been an interesting one, to be cliché. But who for? YOU? YOU??? The worldwide fan base that goes about living your life and tunes in at moments comfortable for you, on the internet, to see what’s the latest and greatest, hype, gossip, lies or media spins so you can throw your own 2 cents (if its worth that even) in to a group of others like you that have no say or play no part in the truth? NO.
This has been an interesting year for the band. For the man himself and for those newly circling him and his space. While many of you are so quick to criticize, from the fan base to their management to the primordial slime we call the media, you all fail to see and understand the premise of the situation. The man lives free. He lives free from the sinister desires of the media to sell more advertisements. He lives free from the fans that desert him, come back to him, flip flop, or consider themselves die hard. And to live so freely as Axl, well, it’s a threat to all those out there who don't have the self found security and strength to live as such.
This year, I left the comforts of my life in Los Angeles and flew to NY and then Europe to follow the band. I met many nice people and many not-so-nice ones. As I followed the band from city to city, I was exposed to a lot of deep truths and experienced these great musicians in ways few people will ever get a chance to.
At the London Acoustic show, on the early morning of their last touring day in England, I experienced the man, as they say, in all his glory. I won't set the scene for you because I don't care to, but I say this to you Mr. Axl Rose: - What you've done in the past, I thank you for. What you've chosen not to do, that as well I thank you for. Thank you for being one of the few real MEN I've encountered in my entire lifespan, that stands strong for himself, irrespective of what ANYONE, how few or many, may care to comment on. I wish I had friends with such character.
Back in the US, I flew to Vegas and SF and saw them perform there as well. At a private club in SF, I got to shake the Man's hand and look in his eyes. Immediately I felt, and maybe partly understood, why this album has taken however long it’s taken. Because the message is clear: a happy man in his own heart is a man who lives according to his own rules, stands his own ground and is judged by his own mind.
So quit your whining everyone; we're all deaf to it by now. Perhaps it’s been a while since you've heard "Don't Damn Me." Perhaps many of you have never even heard it.
Many of you know a video exists of the London acoustic set; I had chosen never to release this to anyone. After reading the open letter from Axl, I decided as my token of support I would release one full song. Axl said earlier this year "people will hear new music this year" and you all have. In keeping with that, and with the album not coming out this year, I have release the full video of "We are sailing". I chose this song mostly because of how emotionally I find Axl singing it. Rod's words are delivered by Axl with a powerful voice and true heart. Hopefully in 2007, you can all take this to heart and also live with a powerful voice and true heart.
- Peace & Love
Allen
