Axl Rose Denies Releasing Initial Statement On LAX Pap Fight

Guns n' Roses are halfway around the world, bringing Chinese Democracy to audiences throughout Asia, but that isn't preventing frontman Axl Rose from doing a little damage control back in the states about an incident that went down last week at Los Angeles International Airport with a member of the paparazzi.

Rose, who can be seen in video footage attacking an overzealous photographer who was trying to snap his picture at LAX, posted an update to the band's MySpace blog over the weekend, denying he released a press statement "regarding the rumored LAX incident." The statement in question was posted on the band's same MySpace blog — the official portal that announced the group's tour dates, VIP packages and the birth of its official Twitter — on December 10th.

Axl Rose's paparazzi punch-out: photos of his airport scuffle.

"I did not release any statement or authorize either any statement or anyone to release a statement regarding anything at any airport anywhere," the blog reads. "We had recently began working with newer individuals in management in relation to our current Asian tour in support of our Guns n' Roses album Chinese Democracy in addition to [longtime manager] Irving Azoff's though as it happens we are once again touring Asia without management of any kind. Imo [in my opinion] this nonsense may be some type of manufactured or publicity stunt."

The statement continues that the band is looking forward to its shows in Osaka and Tokyo, and that the addition of guitarist DJ Ashba to a lineup that already includes Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus "gives the night a kick in the pants." A post-script to the blog post also notes that the band was denied use of a helicopter from the South Korea airport to the venue "as North Korea would 'wonder' what it is!!"

Rose adds that "any publications running this" should "feel free to tack on whatever negative agenda-supporting nonsense you generally do (you know who you are). After all, it's only someone else's livelihood you media police state, no fun, spoil sport, communist bastards." The frontman is slightly more upbeat on his Twitter, where he writes to fans, "It's such a different animal in the heat of the moment n' gettin' into our reformulated chemistry! Soon as we can stop ingesting this Korean BBQ (Shoutout 2 the 2Jens!!) it's on to Osaka, JP where we got r own brand of KamiKaze 2 unleash!!"

Guns n' Roses' early days: look back in photos from Reckless Road.

After Gn'R return from their brief tour of Asia, they have shows scheduled in Canada during January and February, and South America in March and April. No U.S. dates have been announced. The band's current tour is its first behind November 2008's Chinese Democracy.

Related Stories:
• Axl Rose Issues Statement About LAX Scuffle With "Unruly" Paps
• Axl Rose Fights Photographer at L.A. Airport En Route to Guns n' Roses Tour
• Guns n' Roses Announce Plans to Tour South America In March 2010

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“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

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