I didn't like Slash's book at all, R30, I thought Duff and Steven were more clear and open. I feel like Slash can never get his head or his story straight when it comes to Axl, half in love with the guy and half still bitter and pressed. I felt like I was never getting the full story with Slash, like he was treading way too careful and leaving out the juicy stuff for fear of Axl taking it the wrong way. It's not subtle even with the self-censoring; he says they were 'attracted to each other' about 40 different times. I will agree with Slash that their personal relationship was a mindfuck - if half of Slash's side of the story stands. The early days had sweet moments, seemingly - I believe they shared a bed that the band helped build for them in their squat, when they lived on the Strip.The story where he jumps out of Slash's moving car still makes me laugh.
[quote] There were moments when I loved him to death, when he was just so cool and we had really close, heartfelt talks that he would lead. [...] I can go for years without saying anything about how I feel, but Axl is not like that at all; he needed someone to communicate his feelings to. We'd have these great, peaceful one-on-ones about what bothered him and what was on his mind when the static died down. [...] It was great insight into someone that I already admired, and I liked him a lot during those times because he was human and vulnerable and I felt like we really connected. [Bozza, Anthony, & Slash (2007). Slash. Harper Entertainment: New York].
[quote] (recounting a confrontation from the early days) I hadn't known Axl long, but I already knew him well enough to understand that he was a sensitive, introspective person who endured serious mood swings, so I chose my words carefully and presented the issue in a very non-judgemental, objective tone. Axl stared out the window as I spoke, then he started rocking back and forth in the passenger seat...when suddenly, he opened the car door and jumped out without a word.
[quote] Everything he says or does has a meaning, a theatrical place in his mind, in a blown-out-of-proportion kind of way. [...] Being close to him always felt like a roller-coaster ride.
[quote] We were an unreal band with an unreal singer; Axl was just amazing. Despite all of the tension going on behind the scenes, I still had some onstage chemistry with him that was incredible. We did amazing things every single night that were godlike.
[quote] Everybody keeps asking me, "Well, why would you quit? Guns was such a huge band." With all my heart I can say that I would have never wanted to mess with that. I did everything in my power to keep GN'R going--even having a good time in the midst of the most insane chaos with the Redhead... [Guitar One Magazine, April 2000].
[quote] (about asking Axl to sing on his solo) There were a lot of singers names who flew through my mind during the process. The thought of him crossed my mind at one point. I thought, “Axl could sing the shit out of any of these songs.” [Classic Rock Revisited, September 2010].
[quote] He’s the closest person I’ve ever worked with..[...] He’s just a really fucking huge mindfuck. He has a sweet side to him and a nasty side to him, if memory serves. He would be very, very violent and have very wicked thoughts and sore points. [...] I just do what I do because that’s what I like doing, but his thing seems to be a little more convoluted..[Slash’s Heroes & Villains, NME, October 7, 2000].
[quote] We attract each other. The relationship between most lead singers and most lead guitar players is very sensitive, very volatile [...[ just very intense. But somewhere between all this intensity and this friction there's a chemistry. And if the chemistry's right, like me and Axl are, really tight, then there's something - a spark or, you know, a need, that holds it together. You fight too [...] But that's also what makes it happen. [Tears Before Bedtime?; Q July 1991].
