2017.07.27 - The Dome at America's Center, St. Louis, MO, USA

Marc Schneider wrote:No Riot Act: Guns N' Roses and St. Louis Hug It Out at First Show Since 1991

"The last time we were here was half of my life ago... Half of my freaking life ago. It's good to see you again."

Axl Rose got through "Rocket Queen" without starting a riot on Thursday.

The last time Guns N' Roses visited St. Louis, way back on July 2, 1991, the Los Angeles hard rock band was in the middle of the Appetite for Destruction corker when a hot-tempered Rose dove into the crowd to confront a camera-wielding fan before storming off, thus setting off what's now known as the "Riverport Riot."

More than a melee, angry fans reacted to Rose's leap by tearing up the then-new Riverport Amphitheatre, leading to dozens of arrests and injuring 65, including two-dozen police officers. He was later arrested, charged, found guilty and fined, followed by civil lawsuits that ended in undisclosed settlement amounts.

Rose dispensed some justice of his own over the years, via a shout-out in the Use Your Illusion liner notes ("F-ck you, St. Louis") and by wearing his "St. Louis Sucks" t-shirt and, of course, steering clear of the Gateway City during the few occasions the band has played North America.

It's an ugly chapter in the band's history, but one that Rose and company finally decided was time to move past.

"The last time we were here was half of my life ago," Rose said during Thursday's return concert, held at the cavernous Dome at America's Center. "Half of my freaking, fu--ing life ago. It's good to see you again."

And Rose really seemed to mean it, leading the nation's top touring act through a marathon 31-song set that included early rockers ("Mr. Brownstone," "It's So Easy," "Nightrain"), strut-and-sway ballads ("Patience," "Don't Cry," "November Rain"), faithful covers (Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun," AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie," The Who's "The Seeker") and all the greatest hits you'd expect, nee demand at a GNR show, with a few Chinese Democracy tracks thrown in for the completists. Rose maintained his familiar high-growl the entire night -- aided by frequent breaks and years of conditioning -- and the band was as tight and relentless as you'd expect.

What Rose (or Slash or Duff McKagan or even Dizzy Reed -- all GNR members back in 1991) didn't do on Thursday was hammer the Dome audience with many direct references to the riot, its aftermath or all those hurt feelings over the years. They cliché-edly "let the music do the talking" -- a wise move.

That said, there were a few very subtle nods to 1991 and its legal fallout. Introducing Slash, Rose snickered, "Ladies and gentlemen, my partner in crime, as we return to the scene of the crime."

And setting up the Use Your Illusion II classic "Yesterdays," Rose noted the earthy aroma in the air: "We're all law abiding citizens here... I know I am. So that smell must be... somebody must be having a medical emergency. Let's make sure they're okay."

The band also dished out some t-shirt diplomacy, which may have gone over the heads of many in attendance. McKagan, for example, wore a tee from Streetside Records, a beloved-but-defunct local music store chain; Rose donned a shirt with the Coral Court Motel, a long-gone Route 66 motor inn known for its art deco stylings; and in a sincere (and very cool) gesture, guitarist Richard Fortus, who lives in St. Louis, wore a shirt from Kennedy's, an also-gone rock club where his old band (Pale Divine) used to play. "He fu--ing lives here!" Rose said in amazement at one point of Fortus, "inviting" the crowd to his house for the after-party.

Slash went with one shirt the entire night, but he did give St. Louis a nod during his solo, which included a portion of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."

Fortus, who played with Richard Butler in Love Spit Love and later Enrique Iglesias before joining GNR, didn't say much the entire night, but his joy in playing in front of family and friends in a massive hometown stadium show was evident.

(In a recent profile in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Fortus recalled playing a gig the night of the 1991 riot. "I remember people coming in from the riot with pieces of chairs," he said. "I didn’t realize the scope of it until later. I would have been there if I wasn't working.")

The band chose their long-awaited return to St. Louis as the launching pad for the next leg of their North American "Not In This Lifetime" tour. Through 23 shows, the tour has grossed a tick over $99 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. The band's reunion has also helped its promoter, Live Nation, maintain a dominant position among its competitors -- the concert giant has grossed more in the first half of 2017 than the seven next biggest promoters combined.

Twenty-six years is a long time to wait for a GNR show, but the "truce" between band and city on Thursday seems to have changed that. "We hope to see you soon," Rose said before walking -- not storming -- off. "Hopefully a lot sooner."

Mike Sorensen wrote:CONCERT REVIEW: Guns N' Roses in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS - “Seems like just yesterday we were here!” came the booming voice from the public address system, generating a roar from the crowd at the Dome in St. Louis.

Everyone was in on the joke – 26 years ago was the "yesterday" being referenced.

It's a date known well to fans and stars alike.

But that was in the past, and Thursday night, Guns N' Roses showed that's where they were going to keep it. And the crowd answered in a like fashion, welcoming back Axl, Slash, Duff and all their friends.

Right up front, I would like to address the fact that some people are saying this isn't a “real” reunion because Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler aren't there on guitar and drums, respectively.

That particular incarnation of the band lasted for one full-length album and one EP that was released before changes started. To be fair, Guns N' Roses has always had a fluid line-up. But the core – Axl Rose, with Duff McKagan on his right and Slash on the left – is what the reunion is about. That's not to devalue the contributions of anyone in the band, past, present, or future, that's simply what the “Not In This Lifetime” tour is all about.

All on the same page?

Okay!

One other disclaimer – I was there to shoot photos for the show, which meant I was there for just three songs, then it was on the road home. I would have loved to have stayed, but that's not what I was there for last night.

So this review covers those opening songs, and not the other 27 (THIRTY SONG SET??) that came after.

With all of that out of the way, what a return to the Gateway City this was.

Right out of the gate, no punches were pulled, with “It's So Easy” kicking things into the highest gear from the get-go. These guys played like they'd never spent a day apart.

Slash, along with Richard Fortus on rhythm guitar, bring that killer two-guitar sound to every inch of the venue, while Duff and drummer Frank Ferrer hold everything together as the monstrous rhythm section. Rounding everything out are Dizzy Reed on piano, keyboards, and percussion, and Melissa Reese with more keyboards, synthesizers and sub-bass.

These six are joined by the master of ceremonies himself, Axl Rose. After more than 30 years, Rose still sings these songs like they're fresh and new.

There has been some concern that his vocals might not be up to par for such a long set, but that doesn't seem to be an issue. While he definitely doesn't sound like Pavarotti or Ol' Blue Eyes, he never has. That's not his style, not his sound. He sounds like Axl, and he sounds like he did on the legendary album 30 ago – gritty, grimy, and, well, like Guns N' Roses.

“Mr. Brownstone” followed as the second number, with “Chinese Democracy” next at the plate. From the first album to the latest, both songs sounded great with this band.

Rose's vocals and Slash's six-string are what Guns N' Roses fans have longed for over the last couple of decades, and they still make a perfect pair. Even on songs that aren't his (“Chinese Democracy”), Slash plays every note like it may be the last he'll get out of the strings, and he shows them no mercy. Trading in his signature Les Paul for a wicked BC Rich for the third song, he showed that if it has a few strings, he can make anything sing.

With pyro blazing and the crowd roaring, there was no doubt at all that St. Louis is still a Guns N' Roses town. They came in to bury the hatchet, and the audience welcomed them back with open arms.

In marathon Dome show, Guns N' Roses extend an olive branch to St. Louis

By Kevin C. Johnson

Any questions about whether Guns N’ Roses would address its last visit to St. Louis were deftly answered during the band’s marathon concert Thursday night at the Dome at America’s Center.

The 3½-hour show, kicking off the new leg of the band’s long-running “Not in This Lifetime” tour, finally — and unexpectedly — put the “Riverport riot” to rest.

Of course, no one familiar with local rock history has forgotten the band’s 1991 show at Riverport Amphitheater (now Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre). A melee broke out when singer Axl Rose tackled a spectator who was photographing the show, resulting in injuries, arrests and property damage.

The rockers hadn’t returned to St. Louis until now, and they definitely came in peace.

“St. Louis — seems like just yesterday we were here,” said a voice off-stage as the band members — including Rose, guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, guitarist Richard Fortus (of St. Louis) and drummer Frank Ferrer — took the stage.

The tongue-in-cheekiness at the start was welcome, though also inadequate.

“How you doing? Good to see you again,” Rose said later, a sentiment he’d repeat.

But what finally put the Riverport episode to bed was the band’s St. Louis-centric wardrobe choices. Rose hit the stage wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo for the long-gone Coral Court Motel. McKagan wore a Streetside Records T-shirt, a nod to the former Delmar Loop store. Fortus chose a Kennedy’s shirt, a throwback to the Laclede’s Landing club where he performed with his old band, the Eyes.

These tributes were a perfect olive branch. All is well, and let the haters hate. The 37,000 fans in attendance certainly came with open hearts.

The tour, the biggest so far this year, reunites classic Guns N’ Roses members Rose, Slash and McKagan after more than 20 years apart.

Rose once famously said a reunion wouldn’t happen, “not in this lifetime,” and seeing them perform to epic proportions was new rock history at its fullest.

From a production standpoint, there wasn’t much we hadn’t seen before; the projection screens, occasional pyro and other elements were pretty routine, compared with other tours. But having most of the group’s core together again set the show part.

The 31-song set, performed without an intermission, was a thrilling, extended ride through Guns N’ Roses history, filled with Rose’s trademark wail, Slash’s tremendous shredding, McKagan back where he belongs, a strong turn from Fortus performing with the band in his hometown for the first time, and a number of fitting tributes and covers.

The band, which also included keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese, came roaring out of the gate with a vintage song, “It’s So Easy” from “Appetite for Destruction” (1987), and kept the decibels on high and the pace on overdrive for songs such as “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Chinese Democracy,” “Double Talkin’ Jive,” “You Could Be Mine,” “Rocket Queen” and Wings’ “Live and Let Die.”

It was evident that this reunion was meant to be.

Rose, wearing at least a dozen different T-shirts throughout the night and almost as many hats, seemed invested and interested during his St. Louis return, and his distinct vocals were strong. Slash, referred to by Rose as his “partner in crime,” shredded like no other and at one point detoured in Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode. McKagan, whose guitar was emblazoned with Prince’s famous symbol, was a welcome and overdue return to the group.

A rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Were” allowed Slash and Fortus to play an incredible duet. “Black Hole Sun” paid homage to Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, who died in May; the tribute didn’t bring down the show, though. Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was dedicated to McKagan’s dog Buckley, who recently died.

“November Rain,” with Rose at the piano, made the set list, along with the ballad “This I Love,” a bit of a departure. After “Civil War,” Rose commented on the strong smell of marijuana in the Dome, saying he’s a law-abiding citizen and “somebody must be having a medical emergency.” Other songs performed were “My Michelle,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Yesterdays.” There was no hint of new material.

The generous encore included a couple of other covers, including AC/DC’s “A Whole Lotta Rosie” (a nod to Rose’s recent moonlighting with the band) and the Who’s “The Seeker,” as well as “Patience” and “Paradise City.” The latter ended with confetti blasts and pyro. The band left the stage but returned for a final bow.

“Hopefully we’ll see you again,” Rose said. “Hopefully a lot sooner.”

The Deftones opened this date of the tour and delivered, though it’s not easy to be memorable when supporting another band on a stadium trek, even when you’ve been around nearly as long.

After 26 years Guns n’ Roses returned to Saint Louis with Stellar concert Thursday

By Marie Taylor with contributions by Sean Derrick

For many Saint Louisans seeing a Guns N’ Roses concert in the Gateway City after the infamous Riverport Riot of July 2, 1991 seemed implausible. One would probably have better odds winning Powerball than guessing the date, let alone the year, that GnR would perform again in Saint Louis.

On Thursday at The Dome at America’s Center the event that many thought impossible became reality with a 3 1/2 hour long performance by the band to kick off the 2nd leg of their “Not In This Lifetime Tour”.

As one of the most anticipated shows of the summer, the St. Louis leg of the “Not in This Lifetime Tour” had a lot of people wondering what the band would bring to the city after the disastrous night of the 1991 Riverport Riots, which effectively instituted an animosity towards the band that lasted over 25 years. Rumors and speculation were thrown around by the public months leading up to the concert, with many wondering if St. Louis would see a repeat of that iconic event.

While many older fans still hold a grudge over what transpired in 1991 many others, and most younger fans, have let the passage of time heal the wounds and begin a fresh start. Thursday’s concert was that catalyst to a better relationship.

Walking into the Dome that night, even I had my doubts about it remaining a peaceful one. The crowd was a large one (about 35,000), with many people already hyped up in anticipation for the night. With all the alcohol being consumed and memories from the past also in attendance, this concert had the potential to be destructive. Fortunately, none of that came to pass. Even notoriously combative rock legends make their peace with time, which just goes to show that all things really do come full circle.

Not that the night was without its drama. The closest that the crowd realistically came to rioting was when vendors for the Dome ran out of beer. That’s not an exaggeration, as many of the vending areas did run out of beer during the show. This caused some panic with the already animated crowd, but it quickly became survival of the fittest as the savvier concert goers rushed towards the remaining beer like it was the last lifeboat on the Titanic.

Without getting too corny with thoughts on the night, I still want to share that what happened last night was as close to pure magic as many of us get from a performance. Watching and listening to a band as iconic and influential as Guns ‘N Roses, albeit without the completely original crew, was as amazing and memorable as I anticipated. Looking around at the crowd during the performances, I think the rest of the audience felt the same way.

To his credit, Axl Rose put on a spectacular performance that was full of energy and without a hint of mockery. Without addressing the controversial 1991 Riverport Riot directly, Rose nonetheless thanked the large crowd for coming out and ended his final performance by alluding that it would not be long before the band would come back again. The crowd responded to this announcement with enthusiasm and excitement, giving a satisfying conclusion to this tumultuous relationship.

All of the band’s members put on a top-quality show, and I want to highlight all the current Guns ‘N Roses crew: Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagen, St. Louis’s own Richard Fortus, Dizzy Reed, Frank Ferrer, and Melissa Reese. Each member gave the crowd an incredible performance, something that the audience won’t forget for a long time.

It would be a disservice to his performance if I didn’t specifically mention the powerful guitar work from Slash that happened during the entire show. A legendary figure in the rock world, Slash showed us last night why he is one of the great guitar icons. Not overly technical, but showing skill that few can match, Slash played with such heart and pure energy that went beyond showmanship. His performance was about the quality of music and the pureness of the sound, which was something that I wasn’t expecting from a legend in an over-the-top band like Guns ‘N Roses. It was his performances last night that made me realize how one man could turn a grammatical symbol into a word associated with the best of rock ‘n roll.

An unexpected, but extremely moving, part of the evening came when the band performed a cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”, which was presumably done in tribute to Chris Cornell. Although it was a slightly ironic moment (after all, grunge did usher in a new type of rock music that pushed bands like Guns ‘N Roses out), it was a beautiful and unique tribute to a rock legend that died too soon.

The show was a longer one, with practically 3.5 hours of nonstop playing from the band. If this were any other show, I don’t know if people would have been as receptive to that amount of time. Because this was Guns ‘N Roses and the night was a significant one, the audience kept up the excitement and the elation. It felt like this concert was allowing the past and the present to come full circle and finally be resolved. The night was magical, the playing was spectacular, and St. Louis cannot wait for Guns ‘N Roses to come back to the Gateway City.

Review: Guns ‘N Roses Better Than Ever in Return to St. Louis

by Jeremy Housewright

All that build up and what did Axl say?

Not much. Instead, Guns ‘N Roses let the music do the talking Thursday night at The Dome at America’s Center.

Axl asked the crowd how they were doing and then the rock n’ roll began.

The band took the stage shortly after 7:30PM, and what ensued was an all out raucous good time. There were no fights, no riots, no hating on St. Louis. Instead of any of that, the crowd of 35,000 sang along with Axl Rose during songs like ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ ‘You Could be Mine,’ and ‘Paradise City,’ which closed out the nearly 3 ½ hour set to a standing ovation filled with Pyro and confetti.

Axl did pause long enough to let the crowd know it felt like just yesterday that the band was in town.

For those who thought G’nR was washed up or over the hill, Thursday night’s show proved them all wrong. Once one of the top bands in the world, G’nR proved it hasn’t lost a step. Axl Rose can still wail with the best of them, hitting all the right notes for the majority of the night. The 51-year old also scampered back and forth across the stage, playing to the crowd. It was clear this wasn’t the same Axl from 1991.

If Axl was on top of his game, Slash was in a class of his own. The guitarist stole the show more than once, even putting the ax behind his head at one point to play.

St.Louis’ own Richard Fortus also did a fine job with the guitar. As great as Slash was, it was nearly impossible for Fortus to keep up, but he did his damndest. Fortus could be a star in any other rock band in the world. He just oozes rock star as he paces the stage. He’s a great addition to the band and adds to an already great lineup. Move over Nelly, St. Louis had a pretty damn talented musician in Fortus, who happens to play for one of the biggest rock bands in the land at the moment.

As far as there being any bad blood between the band and St. Louis, G’nR seemed to answer that with their wardrobe. Axl was wearing a Coral Courts Motel shirt, Duff was donning a Streetside Records shirt and Fortus was wearing a Kennedy’s on the Landing shirt, a spot his old band used to play at. It was cool to see the guys rocking out and repping local establishments.

There were many highlights of the night, including ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ one of my favorites, ‘November Rain,’ and ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,’ which Axl dedicated to Duff’s dog, which recently passed away. The band, which is known for its fair share of covers, nearly blew the roof off the dome with ‘Whole Lotta Rosie,’ an AC/DC tune and got a standing ovation from the crowd with a cover of Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun.’

After ending the show with ‘Paradise City,’ the band returned to the stage to pose together and thank the crowd. Axl took the mic and thanked the audience, telling the crowd he hoped the band will be back in the future and hopefully it wouldn’t take as long. It would be kind of interesting seeing a 76-year old Rose belting out tunes as an elderly Slash and Duff play along.

The Deftones opened the show. I’ll just leave it at that, as my mom told me when I was growing up, if I don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Despite that rocky start, G’nR more than made up for it. The old saying that time heals all wounds may be true with St. Louis and Axl Rose, but there’s another saying, some things get better with time. In Guns ‘N Roses case, that’s definitely true.

Guns ‘N Roses’ Not in This Lifetime Tour gets an A.