Had to share this one with you!

See ya at Rockfest Saturday!

M

The fourth annual and fan voted on Revolver Magazine Golden God Awards was something that had the potential to be massive. On a scale that's never been done before with Rock-n-Roll, specifically Heavy Metal! Wednesday the 11th of April, the Nokia Theater in LA presented forth an explosion of musical know-how, prowess, ego, discontent, anger, fire, piss & vinegar and overall Bad Ass' Ness! I say potential because next year will be the fifth anniversary and if they're to run it again on XBox and Facebook you probably wanna fine tune it a little, from a production stand point at least.

Let me break down, real quickly for the uninitiated, just what exactly is the Revolver Magazine Golden God Awards, the GGA's. It's a celebration of Heavy Metal Music, period. From the early pioneers, those being listed are those that were in attendance, such as Lemmy of Motorhead, Gene Simmons of KISS, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper and so forth to the laddies today who have been hammering the Metal pavement for quite some time, Machinehead, Trivium, Slipknot. And to the kids trying to move the preverbal torch, Black Veil Bridges and Asking Alexandria of which I have to confess, I'm not all that impressed with either of the last two mentioned. No offense boys, I'd still buy you a beer.

Speaking of Dee, he was the Black Carpet Hosts along with Lzzy Hale front woman/shredder of Halestorm. Dee might have been overly complimentative to Ms. Hale in regards to who she is, what she does and the band she plays in. Not because I feel that she or the band lack talent, but because Dee didn't know who his co-host was, as he mentioned several times. Dude, let HER know and give HER props, then drop it, build HER up when she's being introduced to artists that she knows but might not know her, that way it doesn't look so awkward to the average viewer, example being her meeting Alice Cooper for the first time.

Lzzy did engage in one of the funniest quotes I saw all night with the guys from HellYeah. They, Halestorm & HellYeah, all know each other. Hale's like a little sister to those guys and when they all were carrying on about how drummer and metal-icon Vinnie Paul took Lzzy to her first strip club and vocalist Chad Gray bought her her first pair of Chuck Taylor's, Snider appeared to be in honest shock. I really think he was put into a lil place with that, by all of them, because it seemed as if Snider was attempting to clown Lzzy a bit to Vinnie Paul in the begininig of their interview. One of the many technical glitches somebody in a broadcast booth should have handled, but as I send brought about one of the best quotes of the night, came as Dee was trying to chat with Gray in regards to the new album, Band of Brothers. Lzzy is holding her mic down, but you can still hear her and Vinnie Paul talking about getting drinks inside, Vinnie saying, "I think it's an open bar!" Ha!!! Quote of the night!

Other "Oh Man!" situation on the Black Carpet was the God awful, awkward exchange of Steven Adler and Slash, right after Dee asked Slash about Axl foregoing the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame induction of Guns N' Roses. Yeah, it felt a little awkward. Adler is putting out new music with a new band simply titled Adler soon. Lzzy and Amy Lee had a wonderful exchange about the GGA's and how women are fairing in the world of Rock/Metal. Truth be told, they were prodded into conversation by Dee who brought up the same story about Ann Wilson of Heart with Taylor Momsen when she appeared on the Black Carpet. (Story being that when Heart came out they thought they blew the doors open for more female rockers and it since then it hasn't really been the case.)

Jamey Jasta, surprisingly hanging with Seether, announced a new Hatebreed album is being started this week. It'll sound like "Caveman Music". Perhaps that's the title, Jasta. Hysterical when there was Alice Cooper, Lemmy, and Dee all together at the same time chatting away on the Black Carpet. Lemmy seemed a bit pissed, the British version. God love Lemmy… Lemmy is God. But THE moment the meter went all the way to 11 on the Black Carpet with Full-Blown-Anarchic-Levels of Rock-Star-Machismo was the colliding of Dee Snider and Gene Simmons, complete with his wife and brood. Holy Sh!t I thought my TV was gonna explode. Netflix needs warnings when something like that's gonna go down. Children could have been present for Jesus' sake!

Once the show began, as announced by Jose Mengin-whom also had part of the hosting duties on the Black Carpet and who I hope I never see hold that duty again-it was kicked off with the debut for the video of "Piss" from Pantera. "Piss" was part of the "Vulgar Display of Power" recording sessions, of which will be celebrating it's 20th Anniversary on May 15th with a massive deluxe reissue album. Since it wasn't live for my viewing pleasure, as I had to catch it on replay, I can only tell you what I saw upon said replay, The Revolver Magazine Golden God Awards Logo… no music video. This was a regular occurrence for me as I attempted to watch the replay of the GGA's.

After the Pantera video, Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malsteen performed the Star Spangled Banner then SIXX A.M. climbed on staged and performed for their first time in four years. Two songs later from Nikki, James Michael and D.J. Ashba and host Chris Jericho took over. As he was building up his value and overall prestige to the audience Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society came out to clown Jericho as a douchebag and introduce the award for Best Guitarists to Jinxx & Jake Pitts of Black Veil Brides. I've seen some of the responses to this award with the snarkiest quote being, "Every thirteen year old knows how to work a computer. " Next up was Best Drummer, presented by HellYeah-mostly past winner Vinnie Paul-to Jeremy Spencer of Five Finger Death Punch. Spencer and Co. were out on the road so he sent in a hysterical video of thanks complete with two members of 5FDP dressed as dip-spitting hillbillies. Trivium stepped up next with a three-song-set complete with Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour) on vocals and Rob Flynn (Machinehead) on guitar ripping into a cover of Metallica's "Creeping Death". After his performance Corey came back up to stage to present, with Sid & Clown of Slipkont, the Paul Grey Best Bassist award to Nikki Sixx with Nikki saying, "I always wanted to play base" Really?? Cause I thought you stole a base thinking it was a guitar when you first got to LA??? But I digress.

After the best bassist award it was time for Black Veil Brides, introduced by Alice Cooper, to take stage. Their third song in was a cover of Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock" with Sister's frontman and Black Carpet Host Dee Snider. After a lengthy diatribe by BVB's frontman Andrew Biersack about people thinking they suck and are fags and blogging about how much they suck and are fags and two more songs it was onto, finally, the Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award to Rush. It was presented by Tenacious D and surprisingly received by Neil Peart!! For those that don't know, Neil doesn't really get out from behind his drum kit all that much.

At this point, I had to pause the GGA's replay and head into work. With an hour and a half left of the awards show to watch I was excited to see first hand some of the rumors I'd heard about of the performances that took place. Sadly, when I got home and fired up the XBox, I found out "This Event Has Ended"….

NOOOOOOOOoooooooooo.............

Missed Slash & Andrew Stockdale doing "By the Sword". Missed Manson playing with Johnny Depp and his performance with Taylor Momsen. Missed Alice Cooper and Slash playing "School's Out". Missed all the other awards for best vocalist, album of the year, best live band, etc.

If I have any complaints about the Golden God Awards it's this; Jose, he's not my cup of tea. Get a better director. Lots of miscue's and uncertainty to what was happening. At least that's how it looked from the cheap seats. Let the replay run longer than twenty-four hours. And post all the winners on your Facebook page. Those that missed out on seeing it, would like a quick refernce point.

Best International Band: X Japan

Best Guitarist: Jinxx and Jake Pitts of Black Veil Brides

Best Drummer: Jeremy Spencer of Five Finger Death Punch

Best Bassist: Nikki Sixx

Riff Lord: Slash

Comeback of the Year: Slipknot

Best Live Band: Avenged Sevenfold

Most Dedicated Fans: Avenged Sevenfold

Best Vocalist: Amy Lee of Evanescence

Album of the Year: Korn, 'The Path of Totality'

To: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern,

When the nominations for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing. Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation.

Since then we've listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall Of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N' Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists' comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts.

Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking into consideration the history of Guns N' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in "our" induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things... no offense meant to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected.

For the record, I would not begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such. Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It's their show not mine.

That said, I won't be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction 2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of "Guns N' Roses".

This decision is personal. This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp's perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn. Though unfortunately I'm sure there will be those who take offense (God knows how long I'll have to contend with the fallout), I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision. Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, "damned if I do, damned if I don't" scenario all the way around.

In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I've publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing's changed.

The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of "for the fans" or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DJ Ashba.

Izzy came out with us a few times back in '06 and I invited him to join us at our LA Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned. Duff joined us in 2010 and again in '11 along with his band, Loaded, opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future for a song or two, that's enough.

There's a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light, there isn't room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion.

Maybe if it were you it'd be different. Maybe you'd do it for this reason or that. Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We're there for each other when the going get's rough. We love our fans and work to give them every ounce of energy and heart we can.

So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another's, or in this case several others', expense.

But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the "no show, grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn't care about the fans" crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let's move on. No one's taking the ball and going home. Don't get it twisted. For more than a decade and a half we've endured the double standards, the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. Not to imply anything in this particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court.

In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as ironic as it may seem, I'd like to sincerely thank the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. More importantly I'd like to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we've had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N' Roses music.

I wish the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!!

Sincerely,

Axl Rose

P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III

So you will more than likely never get me to watch Dancing With The Stars but I did find this on line this morning.
And I kind of wish I would have seen it.
Till next time!

M

Ps. Really only the first minute and a half are worth watching!