Since December, every true Guns N' Roses fan has been on pins and needles, wondering if the original lineup would reunite for the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio. The MTV Generation waited to see if their teenage heroes would come together one last time after over 20 years. The younger Guns fans waited to see if they would finally have a chance to see the magic they can only experience on YouTube.
Fans have had what you might call an "Appetite for Reunion." But through the years, and with all the rumors, interviews, tweets, and continuous letdowns, that appetite has turned into "Using Your Illusion" to stay optimistic.
Last week, Axl Rose threw those hopes to the ground like his microphone in the '92 St. Louis Riot.
In a letter to the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame and Guns N' Roses fans, Rose told fans that he did not want to be "inducted in absentia"by any members of the old band, record labels or Hall of Fame itself. He further explained that he disagreed with having a warped version of Guns N' Roses inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Following Axl's letter, and reports of Izzy Stradlin opting out of the ceremony, the award show was beginning to look like Velvet Revolver featuring Steven Adler.
Axl Rose didn't show up.
Izzy Stradlin didn't show up.
Dizzy Reed didn't show up.
Buckethead didn't show up (gasp!).
But on April 14th, 2012, in Cleveland, Ohio, magic happened.
Steven Adler's longtime wish of "finishing what I started with those @$$holes" looked like a scene from a movie (just imagine the drama THAT idea would cause).
Following Green Day's induction speech honoring Guns N' Roses (during which the crowd booed at the mention of Axl Rose), Duff McKagan gave a speech that hit the nail on the head. "It's really not about who's here or not here," he said. "It's about the songs. It's about the music we made. Steven Adler finished a graceful speech by quoting the late Freddie Mercury, "I've taken my bows and my curtain calls. You gave me fame and fortune, and everything that goes with that. And I thank you all!"
The crowd roared and yelled derogatory terms about Axl as Slash went to the podium and dropped more F-Bombs that his famous AMA speech with Duff after "Patience" hit the charts. Matt Sorum followed Slash with a few humorous words and the induction of Guns N' Roses into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame was over.
Or so everybody thought.
The curtains opened, and the same thought crossed everybody's mind: Is Guns N' Roses about to play? How can they play without a singer and rhythm guitarist?
Slash and Duff were standing on stage with Gilby Clarke, who, despite having been ignored by the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, was ready to step in for Izzy Stradlin the same way he did in 1990. He did it for the fans. He did it so the show could go on.
Matt Sorum was sitting behind the drumset, and Myles Kennedy (Slash's singer) held a mic in his hand. The Use Your Illusion Lineup with a stronger vocalist played Mr. Brownstone. And they nailed it. Steven Adler switched out with Matt Sorum for Sweet Child O' Mine, and when they all played Paradise City together, the magic of Guns N' Roses returned without Axl Rose, and Steven Adler was there in Guns' moment of glory.
As for a reunion of the original lineup of Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven (and throw in Dizzy), the fans will always have something to look forward to.
HITS
Steven Adler - The man fell from glory in 1990 only to rise back to accept the greatest honor in GNR history.
Gilby Clarke - Showed the Hall of Fame and Guns N' Roses fans that he can still save the day.
Myles Kennedy - Filled the shoes of Axl Rose when he was needed most.
Slash - Was willing to attend the Hall of Fame for the fans, regardless of whether or not Axl showed up. And he brought Myles.
Duff McKagan - Reminded fans what the point of GNR and the Hall of Fame are in the first place.
Matt Sorum - Thanked Axl, Dizzy and Izzy at the end of his speech.
MISSES
Axl Rose - Self-Explanitory
Izzy Stradlin - The man hides his talent. He wrote most of the music behind GNR and stayed home.
Dizzy Reed - The keyboardist in a band finally gets credit and still doesn't show up.
Clips of the speeches and performance are available on YouTube.com and the ceremony will air on HBO on May 5.
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