The return of GUNS N' ROSES: Axl Disarmed

Young, formally dressed women selling Roses pranced through the lobby at the Palace of Auburn Hills the evening of November 21 which begged the obvious question, "Where were the Guns?"

Soon the anxious masses were all asking the same question as the long-awaited return of Axl Rose and his new hired guns dragged on a bit longer than expected.

The show was a long time coming - almost 10 years. And throughout the course of the evening the wait grew painfully longer. At 10:30pm (a good hour and thirty minutes past their allotted set start) Guns N' Roses circa 2002 hit the stage, but the damage had been done as the overlong delay seemed to take the necessary edge off the proceedings.

The crowd reaction was less-than-stellar from the get-go and the excitement wore off as the set progressed. After playing 100 minutes, Rose and crew exited the stage to little fanfare and provided no encore, leaving the fans to ponder a puzzling night of mixed emotions.

The return of Guns N' Roses to the mainstream after all these years held great promise, but with this being just the seventh date on a nine week tour extending to year's end, the jaunt had yet to gain its footing.

Madison Square Garden sold out in a mere 10 minutes, but this was not New York City and the Palace was 75 percent full at most. The mega-tour began making the wrong sort of news with the opening show being canceled at the last minute, prompting riots. The Detroit show was the first following a pair of off-nights after Chicago, which threw the pacing for a loop and Guns N' Roses never recovered.

In the music business timing is everything and with a lengthy trek to Pittsburgh next on the agenda, the show ended abruptly due in part to the necessities of packing and moving on.

Though the Palace had no curfew to contend with, Guns N' Roses most likely cut short their set due to the fact that the elaborate staging had to be in place and ready for action at a venue a good 350 miles and three states away in 17 short hours. Not really fair to the patient Michigan fans but a painful music business reality.

A highpoint was the fact that it was the first opportunity in over almost a decade to hear material from SPIN Magazine's recently declared #1 Heavy Metal Album of All-Time, "Appetite For Destruction," sung by their originator. That was a definite plus and major drawing point. The 15-song set was weighted heavily toward material from "Appetite"- the masterwork that shaped a generation of avid listeners.

The show also featured all the excesses of the 1980's. Pyro, explosives, fire and flame- you name it they used it in abundance. A blinding light show mostly utilizing reds and a very large multi-angle shifting lighting rig augmented by massive video screens behind the stage and a pair flanking each side. Rose wore the customary Red Wings jersey but all this did little to make up for the late start. And that was too bad.

With the average ticket price being $55.00- a far cry from the $16.50 paid for the Guns' May 1988 Saginaw Civic Center headlining date- did the fans get their money's worth in 2002? That is debatable.

A glimpse at the aborted planned set revealed the omission of classics "Nightrain" and customary closer "Paradise City", both noticeably conspicuous by their absence.

On the plus side, the songs played were great. Once the glorious strains of "Welcome To The Jungle" finally arrived to open the proceedings all seemed right in the world. Fun and games were here again leading the way through an incredible journey down memory lane.

The indescribable groove that is simply "Sweet Child O'Mine" seemed to have weak vocals but on second thought it was just the crowd overwhelming an under-practiced Rose on this anthem. The fast and furious "You Could Be Mine" gained the largest crowd reaction, but the majority of the time the assembled were a laid back bunch.

"November Rain" featured the unique classical piano introduction with just Rose and his grand piano center stage and the 10-minute epic stirred memories as it was a certifiable life moment for many. Remember where you were the first time you heard these magical notes? The shower of sparks that rained down onto the stage from the lighting rig above during the closing section was an awesome effect and a sight for sore eyes.

A handful of songs from the years-in-the-making comeback album, "Chinese Democracy" (tentatively set for release next year) provided hope for the future. Sure the new trio were magnificent, especially "Madagascar," but were unknown to most (except the diehards who also attended the earlier Chicago show).

Rose, his red hair now styled in cornrows, was in fine physical shape and used this fitness to dance across the entire stage as only he can, trademark swivel-hip-swaying stage moves in tow.

A year ago questions arose concerning Rose's well being and whereabouts. Now he is everywhere and looking very healthy. Emerging from his self-imposed exile from mainstream media by sequestering himself in the psychic hot spot of Sedona, Arizona has done him good.

The new supporting septet, meanwhile, lacked a stage presence that made the original line-up so special, but were accomplished musicians one and all. The seven backing instrumentalists had good pedigree including Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Tommy Stinson (Replacements), Richard Fortus (Love Spit Love), Chris Pitman (Replicants), Brian Mantia (Primus), GNR Illusions-era holdover Dizzy Reed and KFC topped Buckethead, who provided more of a side-show presence and included a nunchaku routine with his guitar solo.

The set pacing may have contributed to the less-than-inspiring conclusion with the slow "Patience" providing a rather down ending. When 12:20am arrived many seemed relieved rather than disappointed to see it end. The crowd's dedication and understanding was not rewarded with the lights going on without an encore. No cheers, no boos, just silence as everyone headed to the exits and moved on to their real life tasks ahead.

Relative newcomers CKY had the enviable position of opening for thousands each night with the potential of converting many to their new brand of heavy rock. Unfortunately, on this night, it failed to work. Taking the stage 45 minutes late didn't help. Blaming airport delays for their tardiness a 30-minute set was played highlighting songs from their recent "Infiltrate. Destroy. Rebuild." album.

Singer Deron Miller delivered some of the evening's best stage banter when he responded to chants for the headlining act throughout their set with derisive replies. "Oh, you know the singer's name" and "If you boo we'll play two." The loudest reaction came whenever he mentioned Guns N' Roses upcoming appearance.

Axl Rose was the act everyone came to see and by the time he arrived it was growing late. By any other artist the set performed would have been more than enough to satisfy. On this occasion, though, Guns N' Roses' own high standards worked against them, with poor organization and timing problems clearly evident, overshadowing a stellar stage performance.

Although the evening could have been more satisfying, the return of GNR provided a breath of freshness into the rock and roll scene that has been noticeably lacking of late and a glimpse of the majesty legends are made of.