2002.09.25 - Gnronline - Press Release: Guns N' Roses Announce First North American Tour Since 1993!

GUNS N' ROSES ANNOUNCE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SINCE 1993!

Guns N' Roses originally exploded onto the music scene in 1985 with their own ferocious brand of rock n’ roll. They were riding a wave of frenzied musical energy, extreme behavior, and thrilling live performances led by the sheer force of nature that was, is and continues to be the legendary W. Axl Rose. In the process they have sold more than 80 million records. And now, they return with the “Chinese Democracy” World Tour. Their first full tour since 1993!

North America will be the setting for the World Premiere of GN’ R’s full-bang, high-octane “Chinese Democracy” world tour production. Fans will witness the sonic assault of the ‘Guns N' Roses experience’, that will feature a mixture of classic GN'R songs and new material from their forthcoming album.

Nearly nine years have passed since Guns N' Roses embarked on their last world tour. Fortunately, the most important piece is still in place and for people wondering where Axl Rose has been, he's been busy writing and recording a new album, "Chinese Democracy", that promises to surpass all of his previous efforts. Keyboard player Dizzy Reed has been in GN'R since 1991 and along with Axl is the holdover from the band's previous line-up. New to the fold are three guitarists: Robin Finck, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, guitar phenomenon Buckethead, and Richard Fortus. Rounding out the all-star line-up is bassist Tommy Stinson from The Replacements, a second keyboard player Chris Pitman, and Brian "Brain" Mantia formerly of Primus on drums.

The band are fresh from the first six dates of the “Chinese Democracy” World Tour in China, Japan, Europe, and the U.K., where they set attendance and merchandise records at Tokyo (Chiba Marine Stadium-35,000 plus), Osaka (WTC Stadium-25,000 plus) and Leeds (Leeds Festival-52,000 plus), as well as their explosive and much talked-about appearance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards in New York last month.

Following the launch of the World Tour in China, fans flooded the online website of England’s New Musical Express with hundreds of messages enthusing about the gig, including the following:

"I’ve just witnessed some kind of phenomenon, the most intense and remarkable two hours of my life. I have been to countless gigs but never before have I been so totally overwhelmed and engulfed by such an awesome performance as tonight. This band is going to take the world by storm, they are simply amazing. As musicians, there is no band ever that has the talent of this one, and as for charisma every member is a superstar.

"The highlight for me though was Mr. Axl Rose. He looked young and healthy and his voice was stunning, he will go down in history as the greatest frontman ever, he was totally awesome and should be commended."

Prior to the band’s performance in China, W. Axl Rose conducted a brief interview with the band’s official website www.gnronline.com and was asked how he felt about speculation as to whether or not Guns N’ Roses would actually be performing. His reply was as follows:

"To the ones who are negative and want to see either myself or the new band fall on their faces, personally I can't pass up an opportunity to upset so many of them in one quick swoop. I get misty-eyed just thinking about it. I feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside! But seriously...this is our tour. This is a collection of performances I've agreed to. That I have personally authorized not someone else's good intentions gone awry or a reckless promoter's personal agenda. These shows are important to us and for better or worse we'll be there. For those who've had my back and are down by us with even a modicum of understanding we hope to give you our best, and look forward to seeing you on this little intro jaunt."

Axl and Guns N’ Roses gave their best and delivered big time for the people of China, Japan, Europe, and the U.K.

Now it is North America’s turn!

Current North American itinerary is as follows. More dates will be added soon. All dates are subject to change:

THU 11/7 Vancouver, BC, Canada GM Place
FRI 11/8 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
MON 11/11 Boise, ID Idaho Center Arena
THU 11/14 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
FRI 11/15 Fargo, ND Fargodome
SUN 11/17 Moline, IL The Mark
MON 11/18 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
TUE 11/19 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
THU 11/21 Detroit, MI The Palace
FRI 11/22 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
SUN 11/24 Cleveland, OH Gund Arena
TUE 11/26 Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena
WED 11/27 Albany, NY Pepsi Arena
FRI 11/29 Toronto, Ontario, Canada AirCanada Centre
SAT 11/30 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
MON 12/2 Boston, MA FleetCenter
TUE 12/3 Harford, CT Civic Center
THU 12/5 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
FRI 12/6 Philadelphia, PA First Union Center
SUN 12/8 Wilkes Barre, PA First Union Center
MON 12/9 Washington, DC MCI Center
WED 12/11 Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center
FRI 12/13 Tampa, FL TBC
SAT 12/14 Ft. Lauderdale, FL TBC
THU 12/19 Biloxi, MS Gulf Coast Coliseum
SAT 12/21 Dallas, TX American Airlines Arena

https://web.archive.org/web/20021206215631/http://www.gnronline.com/press2.html

Related article in NME, September 26, 2002:

AXL RETURNS
The shows are part of the 'Chinese Democracy' World Tour...

GUNS ‘N ROSES have announced details of their first North American tour in almost a decade.

The band, who played gigs in the UK earlier this year, will play their first tour in the US since 1993 in November and December.

The shows are part of the band’s ‘Chinese Democracy’ World Tour. The long-awaited album of the same name is currently still in progress.

The tour calls at: Vancouver Place (November 7)

Tacoma Dome (8)

Boise Idaho Center Arena (11)

Minneapolis Target Center (14)

Fargo Fargodome (15)

Moline The Mark (17)

Chicago Allstate Arena (18)

Columbus Nationwide Arena (19)

Detroit The Palace (21)

Lexington Rupp Arena (22)

Cleveland Gund Arena (24)

Buffalo HSBC Arena (26)

Albany Pepsi Arena (27)

Toronto Air Canada Centre (29)

Uniondale Nassau Coliseum (30)

Harford Civic Center (3)

New York Madison Square Gardens (5)

Philadelphia First Union Center (6)

Wilkes Barre First Union Center (8)

Washington MCI Center (9)

Greenville Bi-Lo Center (11)

Tampa Venue TBC (13)

Ft. Lauderdale Venue TBC (14)

Biloxi lf Coast Coliseum (19)

Dallas American Airlines Arena (21)

More dates will be added soon.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/guns-n-roses-351-1376913

Related article in Rolling Stone, September 26, 2002:

Guns n' Roses Reload

Reclusive rockers begin rolling out North American tour dates

After much speculation and rumor, Guns n' Roses have lined up the first leg of tour across North American tour. Twenty-seven dates on the "Chinese Democracy" World Tour, the band's first full tour since 1993,have been confirmed, beginning with the November 7th show in Vancouver. More dates are expected.
Gn'R played several dates in Asia and Europe this summer, and, according to their official site, then immediately headed back into the studio to put the final touches on their long-awaited Chinese Democracy album, though a release date for the album has yet to be finalized.

The band's lineup is now lone founding member Axl Rose (vocals), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Chris Pitman (keyboards), Brian "Brain" Mantia (drums), Buckethead (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass), Robin Finck (guitar) and Richard Fortus (guitar). Guns made a surprise appearance this month at the MTV Video Music Awards, performing a medley of their hits.

Guns n' Roses tour dates:

11/7: Vancouver, BC, Canada GM Place
11/8: Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome
11/11: Boise, ID, Idaho Center Arena
11/14: Minneapolis, MN, Target Center
11/15: Fargo, ND, Fargodome
11/17: Moline, IL, The Mark
11/18, Chicago, Allstate Arena
11/19: Columbus, OH, Nationwide Arena
11/21: Detroit, The Palace
11/22: Lexington, KY, Rupp Arena
11/24: Cleveland, Gund Arena
11/26: Buffalo, NY, HSBC Arena
11/27: Albany, NY, Pepsi Arena
11/29: Toronto, Ontario, Canada AirCanada Center
11/30: Uniondale, NY, Nassau Coliseum
12/2: Boston, MA, FleetCenter
12/3: Harford, CT, Civic Center
12/5: New York, NY, Madison Square Garden
12/6: Philadelphia, First Union Center
12/8: Wilkes Barre, PA, First Union Center
12/9: Washington, D.C., MCI Center
12/11: Greenville, SC, Bi-Lo Center
12/13: Tampa, FL, TBC
12/14: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, TBC
12/19: Biloxi, MS, Gulf Coast Coliseum
12/21: Dallas, American Airlines Arena

CHRISTINA SARACENO

https://web.archive.org/web/20040216084028/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=16756&cf=344

MTV News, September 25, 2002:

Guns N' Roses Announce First U.S. Tour In A Decade

Had they scheduled it to start a week earlier, Guns N' Roses could have called their U.S. comeback tour November Reign.

The first of four announced dates will be November 18 in Rosemont, Illinois, at the Allstate Arena. About two weeks later, the band will play three shows in rapid succession — December 2 in Boston at the FleetCenter, December 5 in New York's Madison Square Garden and December 6 in Philadelphia at the First Union Center.

Tickets for the four shows will go on sale Saturday. The full tour itinerary will be announced in the coming days.

Guns N' Roses, who have been out of the U.S. spotlight for the past decade, performed on television for the first time in 10 years August 29 at the conclusion of the MTV Video Music Awards. The band played a spirited medley of its hits "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City" along with the new ballad "Madagascar" from its upcoming album, Chinese Democracy.

While the VMAs marked their return to the U.S., Guns N' Roses played six shows in Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium and England this past summer.

The only band member from the original lineup is frontman Axl Rose. Keyboardist Dizzy Reed has been with the group since 1990's sessions for the Use Your Illusion albums, and the rest of the Gunners are recent additions: keyboardist Chris Pitman, guitarists Robin Finck (ex-Nine Inch Nails), Buckethead and Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson (ex-Replacements) and drummer Brain (ex-Primus).

Fans have been awaiting Chinese Democracy for many years now, but the new tour will not coincide with the album's release, which still seems to be some time off, Rose announced after the VMAs .

—Jon Wiederhorn

CDNow ("Miss Truth" column), September 26, 2002:

Although we shouldn't really be complaining, considering how rare it is to actually receive anything official from the Guns N' Roses camp, it must be pointed out, however, that the latest offering from Axl Rose, a press release announcing the band's North American tour, is one of the most egomaniacal pieces of spin-doctoring in recent history.

Instead of quoting praises of the band's recent live gigs by respected rock critics (of which there are none), the band has turned to over-the-top, ass-kissing quotes from fans. An example:

"The highlight for me, though, was Mr. Axl Rose. He looked young and healthy, and his voice was stunning. He will go down in history as the greatest frontman ever. He was totally awesome and should be commended."

Well, thank you very much Mr. No. 1 GNR Fan in the World. Your … ahem ... unbiased opinion is respectfully noted. Give us a break! (Kevin Raub)

Indianapolis Star, September 28, 2002: