1993.08.24 - L.A. Daily News/Reno Gazette/The Tennessean - Reports on the Adler Vs GN'R trial

Los Angeles Daily News:



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Axl Rose says contract was meant to back band

FRED SHUSTER
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

LOS ANGELES - Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose told a Los Angeles Superior Court jury yesterday that a 1990 probationary agreement that resulted in the tiring of the band’s original drummer was designed to protect the group “against days like today.”

Rose was testifying in the lawsuit filed on be-half of drummer Steven Adler that claims the band illegally terminated his business and musical relationship when he did not quit using narcotics. The suit seeks to reverse the March 1990 termination pact, dissolve the Guns partnership and award Adler damages and royalties.

Rose, 30, answering attorneys’ questions in a dull monotone, saying drug use was fairly common in the group and came to a head at a show at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in September 1989 when the group opened for the Rolling Stones.

At the show, Rose told the audience that members of the group had been using heroin and that the band might break up because of it.

"I was concerned about everyone's drug use,” Rose, wearing black cowboy boots, a green suit and no tie, told the court while two bodyguards waited in the courtroom. "It appeared to me that the band (was in trouble). I was sick of it.”

Rose said that in early 1990, Adler’s status in the band was questioned and conversations were held with band management and musicians to figure out “terms of probation. If he couldn’t get off drugs, he was gone.”

When Rose said the agreement was designed to protect the band, Adler’s attorney, David Chodos, said, “(It) didn’t work.”

There were chuckles in the court when Rose said from the stand, “We don’t know (the answer to) that one yet.’’

At stake are millions of dollars in record royalties and merchandising rights earned since the band sold millions of copies of its twin Use Your Illusion albums and finished a two-year world tour.

Adler, 28, joined Guns N' Roses in 1987 before the group became a top touring attraction. After his ouster three years later, he was replaced by drummer Matt Sorum of North Hollywood.

Adler was not in court yesterday, but he testified at the trial’s opening Thursday. At the time, he said the group encouraged his drug use and presented him with a complicated termination agreement to sign while he was under the influence of withdrawal medication.

Guns base player Duff McKagan told the court earlier yesterday that several band members “cleaned up” their drug use after “the Stones incident.” He said Sorum was brought in to record basic tracks for Use Your Illusion when Adler appeared incapable of performing in the studio.

The Reno Gazette, August 24, 1993:



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Gunners in court: Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose testified Monday that he sought a probation agreement for heroin-addicted drummer Steven Adler in a bid to force Adler to give up drugs or leave the band. “My intent with the document was that Steven quit drugs, play properly or be fired." Rose testified during the trial of Adler's lawsuit against four Guns N' Roses members and its managers.

Adler's suit contends he was cheated out of royalties from the band's 1980s recordings and tricked into signing the agreement in which he risked his partnership rights. Adler's attorney contends the former drummer is owed at least $4 million. Bassist Michael “Duff” McKagan testified he warned Adler to quit heroin the first time he saw Adler take it and that he had to write the drum parts for songs on the band's first two albums.

The Tennessean, August 24, 1993:



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Drug use canned Adler, Rose says

LOS ANGELES — Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose told a Los Angeles Superior Court jury on yesterday a 1990 probationary agreement that resulted in the firing of the band’s original drummer was designed to protect the group “against days like today.”

Rose was testifying in the lawsuit filed on behalf of drummer Steven Adler, 28, that claims the band illegally terminated his business and musical relationship when he did not quit using narcotics. The suit seeks to reverse the March 1990 termination pact, dissolve the Guns partnership and award Adler damages and royalties. Rose, 30, said the drug use came to a head when the group opened for the Rolling Stones in Los Angeles in September 1989. Rose said, “It appeared to me that the band (was in trouble). I was sick of it.”