I think Goldstein has a lot to answer for.  All he ever appeared to do was milk things for himself.

If he was any sort of manager he would have stood up to Axl and put his foot down about a whole range of shit.  But I'm sure he was happy to pander to him to keep the peace which meant keeping his paycheck.

Granted Duff & Slash were just as potentially spineless for not kicking ass as well, but the fucking manager at least should.  I mean what the hell is his role then if not to say "No" now and then to people?

He should also be keeping costs down (all the equipment hire we hear about sounded like a total waste of money), keeping things moving, rehursals, communication etc.  But it sounds like he simply turned into a personal secretary and errand boy for Axl and simply took orders rather than gave them.

I think Slash summed it well when he spoke of Niven's sacking as manager ....."I knew it was going to happen but I didn't think it would be the tipping point.  Looking back, I feel that shift was the moment, the pause at the pinnacle of the bands success...and the start of it's downfall.  All the same, I saw Doug coming.  He made a place for himself in Axl's life, and once Axl had made his feelings about Alan clear, I don't think it's a coincidence that Doug was right there to pick up the reins.  He had been strategically moving up the ladder from the beginning.  He was like an ambush predator".

Those are pretty scathing comments.  Plus it's worth noting that Niven was the last manager to actually get an album of original material out of the GN'R.

Yeah I saw that "Pisser in Snatch" headline and didn't even bother clicking on it.  I didn't know who they were and didn't care either. (only after reading this thread I know who they are and about Frank's involvement)

I mean I don't blame the other guys in the band for doing these side projects because they must be bored to shit sitting around twiddling their thumbs all the time. 

But really I couldn't give a flying fuck about any of this side stuff!

I mean the poster for the gig says "Drummer from Guns N' Roses" - well I say who the fuck is that then?  Is Frank or Brain gonna turn up at the gig?  I sure as hell don't know because nobody has had the courtesy to even tell me who the fuck is in my favourite band anymore.

I liked the early stuff from STP - Core and Purple.  The STP stuff post those albums didn't do a lot for me.

I really like Weilands voice particularly on some of the ballads, e.g. Creep or Messages. 

Unfortunately I think he is a front man that should only play live on radio.  I simply can't stand watching the guy.  Now I have to qualify this in saying that I have never seen him live so perhaps I would change my mind if I did.  But watching boots of VR concerts etc I just don't think he's even a front mans arsehole.  Plus don't get me started on that fucking megaphone he uses either....

I can understand that Slash just loves playing (he has always said so as well) so he pretty much takes any opportunity that he can to do so.  I'm also sure the $$'s for some of the things are probably pretty good too.  I also wonder whether he is pushed into some of the things for the $$'s by Perla (although I have no absolute proof of that, just heresay and comments from people on this matter).

The Bill Gates thing I can forgive him for because for all we know it may have been part of his promotion obligations from Guitar Hero.  On the subject of GH, I think it's great that he did that and I am sure he helped them make a lot more $$'s from it as a result of his involvement as well.  Afterall he is one of the last great guitar hereos himself, so if he wasn't involved it would have been a shame!

I just look at things like this Fergie appearance or the Ellen Degenerate apperance and think is this really the best sort of publicity for him?

I suppose with VR probably finished, we can expect even more ad hoc appearances by Slash since there is not a lot of other outlets (except for his solo album) for his creativity left.

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