2006.10.29 - Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Guns N' Roses brings 'Chinese Democracy' to P.R.

There's still no release date for Guns N' Roses' long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" album, but the tour of that name makes a stop Sunday night at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in Hato Rey.

Many will remember the Guns N'Roses of the '80s and early '90s, famous for such hits as "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child of Mine," "Patience," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door,""November Rain" and "Live and Let Die."

The band taking the stage this weekend, however, is just about all new. Only frontman Axl Rose and keyboardist Dizzy Reed remain from that era.

The other band members are keyboardist Chris Pitman, ex-Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, former Primus drummer Brian "Brain"Mantia and guitarists Robin Finck, formerly with Nine Inch Nails, Richard Fortus, who played with the Psychedelic Furs, and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal.

Though he's now 41 years old, Rose and his reincarnated GNR will be out to prove they can rock hard with their songs of old and perhaps some from the "Chinese Democracy" album, which has been in the making for some 10 years.

According to Hollywood Reporter magazine, "when headliner Guns N' Roses took the stage everything old became new again."

Before they do, however, fans will be treated to a performance by opening act Papa Roach, which has had nine hit singles since 2000, among them "Broken Home," She Loves Me Not,""Scars,""Getting Away With Murder" and "To Be Loved."

Sebastian Bach, former frontman of Skid Row, also is slated to perform. In past "Chinese Democracy" concerts he has joined Rose on "My Michelle."

Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy" Sunday at 8 p.m. at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, Hato Rey. For tickets call 787- 294-0001 or visit ticketpop.com.