2006.11.07 - The Portland Press Herald - Not Smelling Like Rose To Fans

Not smelling like rose to fans

The rock band Guns N' Roses cancels its concert in Portland just 2 1/2 hours before showtime.

By ELBERT AULL
Staff Writer

Welcome to the jungle, where there were no "fun and games."

The rock band Guns N' Roses, which helped define an era with songs like "Welcome to the Jungle," canceled its concert at the Cumberland County Civic Center Monday, 2 1/2 hours before the event was scheduled to begin.

The unexplained cancellation angered fans, many of whom pinned the decision on Guns N' Roses lead singer Axl Rose, who has a reputation for calling off shows.

"I got all dressed up; I went all out for this concert," said 17-year-old Misty McAuliffe of Rockland, standing across the street from the civic center in a tight black outfit and a Guns N' Roses belt buckle.
Fans like McAuliffe turned a section of Free Street behind the civic center into ground zero for Rose-bashing Monday night.

While fans griped outside, a crew of dozens worked inside the civic center to take apart the stage, which was show-ready - lighting, amplifiers and all - by 5:30 p.m., when Guns N' Roses' promoter told the venue's manager the show was off.

Steve Crane, the civic center's general manager, said the band's promoter, AEG Live, did not give a reason for the decision.

Crane, who has worked at the venue for 29 years, said he could remember only one or two other times when a show was called off so close to the scheduled starting time.

He said he scrambled to tell local television and radio stations about the decision in hopes some fans would get the word before leaving for the concert.

Approximately 3,400 fans bought tickets for the show; Crane said the venue could've accommodated around 6,500 spectators Monday. General admission tickets were $65, and the venue will give refunds beginning today at the box office.

Chris Kirby, 39, of New Gloucester said a parking garage attendant in Portland told him the show was canceled.

Kirby brought his son, stepson and one of the boys' friends with him to the show.

The four stood outside the civic center around 6:15 p.m. Monday when a passerby jokingly asked, "Where's Axl?"

"He better be far, far away," Kirby said, laughing.

Guns N' Roses is known for a string of seminal rock records in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The band is also known for the antics of its lead singer and only remaining original member, Rose, who has publicly feuded with band mates and sparked riots in St. Louis during the band's performance and, more recently, in Vancouver and Philadelphia after shows in those two cities were canceled.

Sebastian Bach, the former lead singer of another influential 1980s band, Skid Row, and relative newcomers Papa Roach were also scheduled to perform, and the lineup drew a diverse crowd.

Fans like Kirby, who remembered Guns N' Roses' rise to popularity well, mingled with teenagers who were born shortly before or after the release of the band's last successful albums, "Use Your Illusion" I and II, in 1991.

Guns N' Roses is currently touring to promote its long-forthcoming album, "Chinese Democracy."
The band played in New Jersey Sunday and is scheduled in Worcester, Mass., Wednesday.

Jonni Tegarden, 58, of Rumford said she attended the show at the Meadowlands Sunday and couldn't believe the Portland concert was canceled.

"(Rose) was in a really good mood last night," said Tegarden, who was once president of California-based Ruthless Management and said she has known the singer for years.

Rose, who has been traveling from city to city by plane during the tour, did not come to Portland, the civic center's Crane said.

He said the civic center receives about one percent of ticket revenue, but the cancellation cost the venue money it could have made on beer and food, as well as a cut of T-shirt sales.