During an interview on the Appetite For Distortion , Alan Niven , former manager of Guns N' Roses , made revelations about the band's inner workings.
Niven stated that Axl Rose , the iconic vocalist and central figure of the group, currently holds 50% of the band's revenue, a fact that, according to him, explains many of the changes in the creative dynamic and chemistry that previously defined Guns N' Roses.
“There were five individuals. It was chemistry. It was a moment. But Axl wants to be in control of everything all the time. And look what that leads to. A boring solo album and a bunch of crappy punk covers. And that's it,” Niven lamented.
This criticism reflects a dissatisfaction that is not recent. In a 2022 interview with Classic Rock , Niven had already made clear his discontent with the band's creative direction, stating: “The tantrums of youth seem absurd to someone who is 60 years old. It's a shame that they have been creatively impotent since 1991.”
This statement suggests that, in Niven's view, the band, which revolutionized rock in the 80s and early 90s, lost its ability to innovate and impact the music scene, becoming trapped in internal disputes and ego issues.
Over the years, Axl Rose has always been a polarizing figure. His intense personality and perfectionism led to success, but also created conflict.
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