2008.12.03 - Hits Daily Double/Blabbermouth - Axl Rose Is Largely To Blame For Low 'Democracy' Sales

Report: Axl Rose Is Largely To Blame For Low 'Democracy' Sales

Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet Hits, reports: Many are expressing surprise that Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy" sold only [261,000] in its first week as a Best Buy exclusive. But those who have closely analyzed the situation say that comparing GNR's total with the 802,000 tallied by AC/DC in its Wal-Mart exclusive is like comparing apples and oranges, in that radically different circumstances surrounded the two projects.

AC/DC outsold GN'R by [more than] 500,000 not because of any particular difference between the two retailers, but as a result of the amount of exposure AC/DC had leading up to release relative to Guns — and most of the blame for that rests at the feet of Axl Rose. IGA (Interscope Geffen A&M) and Best Buy were handicapped on a number of levels, due in large part to Rose's refusal to participate in the setup — dramatically reducing the ability of the label and Best Buy to market the release.

https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/report-axl-rose-is-largely-to-blame-for-low-democracy-sales/