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Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses Star) angry with Guitar Hero Series

December 18, 2008 in News comments 35

Guns N' Roses star Axl Rose has slammed Guitar Hero for using one of his bands songs without his/their permission.

He claims that Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Old Child of mine have both been used without his permission.

Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose has slammed Activision, the makers of computer game 'Guitar Hero', for using his band's songs in the game.

In an open letter to fans, the singer hinted that legal proceedings may occur, saying that "it'll need some sorting".
Shortman via nme.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Dec 24, 2008

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  • 0
    Taker4ever Dec 18, 08
    Well, he has a good legal case - they asked Slash's permission, despite him not actually owning the rights to the songs.

    Still, kinda sour grapes - he should be glad of the free promotion!
    • 0
      Big A2 Dec 19, 08
      Exatly. In fact, they should be paying Activison to get their songs on the game.
      • 0
        Shortman Dec 22, 08
        You have a good point there as it would help promote their songs. But it can also be the same the other way around. Band promoting game.
  • 2
    kik36 Dec 18, 08
    A little bit late in the game isn't it? Or is it because the new album sales aren't up to snuff?
    • 0
      Daigoji_Gai Dec 18, 08
      Oh snap, you may have called it. Ding ding ding. GnR w/o Slash & Duff just doesn't feel like GnR to me.
  • 0
    Dramon Knight Dec 18, 08
    Dude, why didn't they get his permission, he would of probably said yes anyway for *bleep*'s sake.
    • 0
      Shortman Dec 18, 08
      I don't know why they didn't just ask. He most likely would have said yes to promote his songs.
  • 0
    phowell23 Dec 18, 08
    I thought rock stars were supposed to be wild badasses not whinny cry babies.
    • 0
      Shortman Dec 18, 08
      According to this I guess they aren't wild badasses.
    • 2
      Deathsythe Dec 18, 08
      You don't follow the music industry very closely do you phowell.

    • 0
      RabidChinaGirl Dec 19, 08
      Drugs'll do that to a guy.
  • 0
    ShadowJ Dec 18, 08
    Aye Chinese Democracy was so disappointing since basically it is just Axl with a new band. Then again due to him having a clause in the contract signed back when GnR was formed, if the band was ever to split, Axl would gain full control and rights to anything of GnR, hence when a "reunion" was arranged, Duff and Slash wanted nothing to do with it.

    This is merely to keep the new generation GnR in the media and for Axl to keep at least some money rolling in
  • 0
    SUPREM_KITE Dec 18, 08
    Axl has no case because they used covers. If they used covers and asked the record company they can do what they want.
    • 1
      Taker4ever Dec 19, 08
      'Welcome To The Jungle', the song in question, was a master recording, NOT a cover. Only 'Sweet Child O'Mine' in GHII was a cover.
  • 0
    kspiess Dec 19, 08
    I'd be really shocked if Activision used the song with out jumping through all the necessary legal hoops.

    Axl Rose probably just doesn't realize where his rights begin, and where the record labels' rights end.
  • 0
    Jaw Knee Dec 19, 08
    Yeah, and I guess I missed the part where anyone gives a flying *bleep* about what Axl has to say.
  • 0
    Bri Dec 19, 08

    Pfft, Axl has ALWAYS been a loose cannon. You would think that he would have changed after delaying GNR's album for 15 years
  • 0
    xxxRockerxxx Dec 19, 08
    Well, this sounds like Axl, not surprised he would do this. It did take him quite awhile to come to this, it could to cause more promotion for Chinese Democracy, but oh well. But the song is there so oh well.
  • 0
    aphex Dec 19, 08
    Is there anything Axl Rose hasn't publicly hated?
    • 0
      Big A2 Dec 19, 08
      Yes, his own albums.

      Maybe.
      • 0
        Shortman Dec 19, 08
        Most probably to be honest. He has got a point about needing permission first though.
        • 0
          Mr Gray Dec 19, 08
          It's a valid point, but a valid point coming from a band-killing a-hole. We reserve the right to dropkick him.
        • 0
          Jaw Knee Dec 19, 08
          He's on a major label so he doesn't get to have a say in it. And with all the money he's making, why should he give a shit?
        • 0
          Final Blade Dec 20, 08
          quote
          And with all the money he's making, why should he give a shit?
          Yes why would people like Rick James care about MC Hammer completely using his song without permission? Why would Coolio care about Weird Al Yankovic completely using his song "Gangsta's Paradise" in a parody called "Amish Paradise" without permission?
          Maybe cause it's his FREAKING SONG! Your comment is laughable.
        • 1
          Jaw Knee Dec 24, 08
          When you're on a MAJOR LABEL, it's no longer YOUR music. Since GNR is on Geffen, they have the rights to distribute GNR material to whoever they want without the band's permission. So shut the hell up and learn something about the music industry before you point out shit that's "laughable" about my comment.
      • 0
        Big A2 Dec 20, 08
        Actually, Coolio had given permission to Weird Al but later claimed he had not in the fear that allowing the parody would not be seen as "cool".

        True story.
        • 0
          aphex Dec 21, 08
          I'm pretty sure it's Slashs song as much as it is Axls. Axl is just being a giant prick with the whole "I AM GNR!!" shtick.
        • 0
          Final Blade Dec 22, 08
          Actually he didn't give him permission, Al just took the song and made a parody thinking he would like the Song. He got pissed that he trashed his Song and if he ask for permission he wouldn't have given it to him anyway.

          True story.
        • 1
          aphex Dec 23, 08
          Actually, you're full of shit, Final Blade. Look it up, Big A2 has got it right.
        • 0
          Final Blade Dec 23, 08
          No, I know the story, I've read all about it, even Coolio stated it himself during an interview.
  • 0
    FinalFantasyFanaticc Dec 19, 08
    Axl Rose can go suck a turd.

    Seriously, its his fault Slash left G N'R.
  • 0
    Zeta Dec 20, 08
      Yeah, they probably want some money since thier album didn't sell too well (even though I love it myself <3)

      And it is a little late, seeing as Guitar Hero 3 came out like a year ago. (?)
  • 1
    exkillerxe Dec 20, 08
    Since when does anybody care about what Axl Rose says anymore. He lost all his talent an age ago. Right now Velvet Revolver is more GNR(Having Duffy, Slash and Matt)than GNR. I reckon he should be happy of the free promotion instead of pissed but anyway Axl has always been a whining priss.
    • 0
      Daigoji_Gai Dec 23, 08
      You are a man after my own heart. Axl Rose does not = GNR.
      Duff, Slash and Matt = the heart and soul of GNR.
      I think the Axl got his hair braided too tightly and it is cutting off circulation to his brain.
      • 0
        Taker4ever Dec 23, 08
        I agree that Axl does not equal GNR, but all these bullsh*t copy-cat comments about "z0mg Slash is teh best!" have got to stop.

        Slash is nothing more than Mr. Average without Izzy Stradlin, who the vast majority of people here haven't even mentioned. Izzy wrote most of GNRs riffs, including Appetite For Destruction, unquestionably their best album. Slash mainly contributed the guitar solos.

        If you're so desperate to listen to new Guns N' Roses music with Slash, then just listen to the Slash's Snakepit albums, as they consist of material Slash wrote for GNR before leaving the band. Oh wait, you don't want to listen to Slash's Snakepit? No wonder, because they sucked hard.

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