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Guns n’ Roses Guitarist: “Chinese Democracy” Tour To Start In March, Last “At Least Two Years”

12/29/08, 8:55 am EST

Buried deep in an article about Guns n’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and his one-night reunion with Pale Divine is this bit of potentially huge news: A Gn’R tour should start in late March and is expected to last “at least two years,” according to Fortus. The band had hinted at a possible tour on their official Website in April, saying the fifth Chinese Democracy tour since 2001 was in negotiations — “When we begin to put tour plans together, we’ll see where things are,” the band said at the time — and a source close to the band told Rolling Stone an ‘09 tour was in the works. With album sales slumping and Axl Rose still reluctant to conduct any interview outside of message board forums, a tour is just what the album needs for a promotional boost. If the March start date is correct, it puts Guns in a position to headline several huge festivals in 2009 on both sides of the Atlantic.

Fortus has played guitar in some capacity for Gn’R since 2002, when Axl Rose’s friend Paul Tobias left the group’s revolving-door guitarist job. Currently, Fortus is the lead guitarist on Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad tour. A St. Louis native, Fortus says he and Axl joked about returning to the city where, in 1991, Rose caused a riot after he stormed offstage because a photographer in the crowd ticked him off. “There has been talk of us doing a Love tour, a tour of all the cities where there have been riots, and doing free shows,” Fortus said.

We’ll remain optimistic about a Guns tour but again, this is the gloriously unpredictable Axl Rose we’re dealing with. We were all promised a video for “Better” two weeks ago and are still waiting on that.

Related Stories:

Why “Black Ice” Beat “Chinese Democracy”: The Tale of Wal-Mart Vs. Best Buy

Did Axl Rose Swindle Guns n’ Roses and Steal Slash’s Song? A Guide to Rose’s Online Rants

David Fricke’s Review: Chinese Democracy


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Comments

*brki* | 5/14/2009, 12:03 pm EST

guns and roses

T-Roy | 5/12/2009, 2:48 pm EST

Axl Rose is an american fucking hero! The sounds of GNR are timeless and every song, no matter how old, gives chills to a true fan everytime! I will travel anywhere I have to to see a tour. I love the new album, and I would kill to hear Estranged live, just one more time.

blim | 5/11/2009, 5:16 pm EST

its a shit album and sounds to over done bring back slash and duff and get g.n.r back how it should be not this shit.

Szyslack | 4/28/2009, 10:12 pm EST

Hi everybody!!
I am from Mexico City, one of the lucky places chose by Axl in 2007 to the last tour.
The new album it’s the best of the best on the entire world.
No doubt that the lirycs are Wonderful and deeps.
Axl Rose is an extraordinary Artist.
We’re eager to received the Band again many many times more for a time that they want to be here.
Live the drugs!! Cause thanks to that, Axl Rose still here.
Dios Bendiga a William Axl Rose y que lo siga llenando de sabiduria; porque gracias a su gran talento mucha gente somos felices y con sus ejemplos hace que cada dia mucha gente sea mejor ser humano.
Thanks to everything for read this message.
Axl Rose is Guns n’ Roses.

Vergil | 3/28/2009, 5:38 pm EST

hello hello
Guns N’Roses is the best band of the world
and AxlRose is a master of master
my hero AxlRose and chinese democracy is amazing
a album cool…

rickroll | 2/21/2009, 1:14 pm EST

i love this album. but i’ve waited so long for it’s release and i wanted it to do so well so gnr could get back in the mainstream like they deserve to. hope the tour will help the sales. it probably would’ve been better had they put it out in 2000 or something. oh well. im sure axl don’t care. after all’ he is a fuckin billionare!

yoyoyo | 2/4/2009, 6:25 pm EST

axl said this is all bull. the tour is still in the planning stages. we don’t even know the line-up yet. but i would like this:

axl-vocals(no braids=bandana)
bumblefoot-gui tar
rich 4tus-guitar
bucket-guitar
rob fink-guitar
tommy stinson-bass
frank-drums
dizzy -keys
pitman-keys
izzy-guest guitar

if paul huge can man up and learn to deal with touring then he can come on board too!

hope this tour(no matter what line up) can increase the album sales!!!

Hezza | 1/31/2009, 6:21 am EST

I LOVED the album chinese democracy. I won’t stop listening to it! And if they do a tour I SO wanna go. :D

Ferrari rocks | 1/21/2009, 6:26 pm EST

Best album in a VERY long time. Maybe since Zeppelin…..

michalle | 1/16/2009, 1:40 am EST

I think that Chinese Democracy rocks. And of course it rocks, Axl Rose put his hands and mind in it. Everyboby knows Axl Rose is the best rock vocalist ever created in this world. I cant wait for Guns and Roses to start their tour. I love Axel Rose, he is the best.

nicole | 1/4/2009, 3:49 pm EST

i like the disc top 4 better ;street of dreans; this i love ; madagascar… ROCK

leo | 1/4/2009, 3:44 pm EST

i from argentina is the best band.

confused | 1/3/2009, 8:06 pm EST

i don’t understand, Chinese Democracy took some 13 years to make, cost shit loads, it has surpassed my expectation, it is a great album, probably the best rock album i have heard in the last couple of years. though how on earth have they stuffed up the release so badly. i believe it will eventually sell but no one has heard it all they have heard is the title song which is probably the weakest on the album, come on get it together marketers, make your money back. 2009 needs to be the year of Chinese Democracy

montster | 1/3/2009, 5:17 pm EST

upon first listen, I was not sure??? A few more laps through the album, definately warmed up, the more I listen the more I like it. Definately different but I am still digging it. Like my Velvet revolver too……

Velvet Devolver | 1/1/2009, 2:39 pm EST

Chinese Democracy surpasses and blows away anything that Velvet Revolver or Slash have done on their own. Obviously, there are two points about CD for the stubborn Appetite fan. 1) it’s not GNR without Slash, and 2) it took 14 years to make. Well, first of all, it’s pointless to argue that it’s not GNR without Slash because Axl owns the GNR name. And 2nd, who gives a flying fuck at a rolling donut how long it took to make? It’s FUCKING AWESOME.

Pensyve (look it up) | 1/1/2009, 2:11 am EST

I’ve been jamming the new album a lot. I’ll admit that when the title track came out, I expected the whole album to be hard-hitting, but I’ll say this: The album rocks… IF you keep an open mind. You have to listen to the new music for what it is. You have to forget that this is Guns n Roses, and listen to them like you listen to any other new school rock band. For what it is, it’s a fuckin’ great album.

Moves | 12/31/2008, 3:51 am EST

Its sad how all these haters come out here, but dont know the first thing about the history of this ‘band’.

Yeah, you go talk trash about axl and HIS guns n roses, because the coke heads, drunkards and heroin addicts aren’t in the band anymore, there’s no studio problems, and Axl can write some decent music, for a change.

Guns N Roses had a great starting, and it will end even more gloriously. Don’t like it, cry about it. But its funny how the haters havent even heard the album, nor make mention of it.

you wouldnt know good music if it bit you in the face. I’ll bet you think velvet revolver “kicks ass dude”. They’re just a bunch of washed up junkies who cant hack it anymore. Slash is, was, and always be an asshole. Great guitar player, but a real piece of sh*t.

Keep doing your thing axl, you’re the living legend that persevered and kept on, and can still cut it today, even after 14 years!!!

Hey slash, ‘you don’t get back 14 years, from just one day’. In your case, just one band. 13 more to go and you might prove yourself a decent musician, not just a clown with a guitar. Piss these guys off and you’re a one man show, you’ll get what you always wanted. LONG LIVE G N’F'N R!

black jack 13 | 12/31/2008, 12:03 am EST

i hope slash gets back in the band.keep on rocken gnr

black jack 13 | 12/30/2008, 11:58 pm EST

i miss slash!!!!! get him back axl

CRY | 12/30/2008, 10:49 pm EST

Why waste time being negative…The album is great…Not perfect, but what is!

Axl is a nut, but he is brilliant!
I know they are not the same as they used to be, but I am enjoying the music!

Anonymous | 12/30/2008, 10:13 pm EST

I was there when GNR first came out…GREAT..Now Axl looks like a Jamaican Albino..Never be the same…never will.

kernal | 12/30/2008, 3:29 pm EST

Well, it is certainly non guns sounding. Slash and co. will probably never regroup so everyone should forget that idea…sadly! Chinese democracy is different how the Illusion albums were different to appetite. it took me a while to get into them…but ended up loving them, as (im sure) will be the case with this album. keep it up Guns, maybe you’ll surpass velvet revolver!!!

Alex | 12/30/2008, 11:54 am EST

It’s good , but all we heard from from Axl last 14 years are promises … I still hope that they will start a tour in Europe …

D. Grohl | 12/30/2008, 11:09 am EST

Remember when Axl was actually cool? I don’t. And I def know cool.

Radio Zero | 12/30/2008, 10:25 am EST

…as if Guns and Roses are now a sort of cover band….they are kinda like Weird Al Yankovic….but without the sense of humor….

Anonymous | 12/30/2008, 10:19 am EST

too late

Radio Zero | 12/30/2008, 10:17 am EST

What’s wild about Chinese Democracy is that….for some reason the album sounds disconnected….as if it was recorded piecemeal over an extended period of time….as if you can tell what period each song was recorded….new metal….emo….industrial…. garage rock….it as if Axl is a practitioner of many styles….but master of none.

marija | 12/30/2008, 8:13 am EST

I support AXL and what he has done and hopefully GNR will come to SERBIA !!! I look forward to the tour, good luck Axl.SERBIA love’s you

thedetoxg | 12/30/2008, 6:12 am EST

to the crowd: axl rose had to cancel the show due to a stubed toe.

axl is probably one of the most passionate rock performers of all time because original guns n roses kicked ass on tour like you wouldnt believe. the qlique they had as a band and there toxicity level made them sound amazing so a new tour would be interesting but only to new songs though old songs would be painfull to watch with out slash drunk as shit, duff all coked out.

Freddy Rose | 12/30/2008, 3:07 am EST

It’ll be interesting to see how the guitarist that are currently in the band deal with what has been done for the record…

Anything on the album that was done by Buckethead is a very signature Buckethead sound, there is no way other guitarist are going to play his parts with out them sounding very different.

But yea I look forward to the tour, good luck Axl. Hopefully he can grab some of his street credit back during this tour.

I pooted | 12/29/2008, 9:24 pm EST

I dealt it and Axl smelt it.

GNR fan | 12/29/2008, 8:05 pm EST

Sorry, Axl not Axel

GNR fan | 12/29/2008, 8:04 pm EST

I really like the new album, especially Better, it is just as good as anthing made with Slash. Keep Rockin Axel!

SHAP | 12/29/2008, 7:38 pm EST

A tour would be great…
with Slash, Duff, Izzy and Matt (sorry Steven Adler, you’re still too much of a screw-up, even compared to nutjob Axl).

F this Fortus guy and F Chinese Democracy. And, well, I guess F Dr. Pepper, too.

paulie | 12/29/2008, 7:23 pm EST

just don’t take Tommy Stinson. he should work with Westerberg.

David Reynolds in San Diego | 12/29/2008, 7:07 pm EST

Fuck Philly. They don’t deserve Axl. Why aren’t you getting on Slash’s case about it too?

mykl | 12/29/2008, 6:21 pm EST

Two years… in Axl’s world that translates to a tour consisting of one show… maybe three but that is pushing it.
Not interested in any free show to make up for Philly last time, only going to go if he just makes amends with the original gang (minus Adler, that guy just was crap anyway on drums) and they all just realize they are the best band possible when together.

Dulce | 12/29/2008, 6:18 pm EST

OMG! I want a tour!!!! I want to see the new band! I love Chinese Democracy. Thanks for the album. I love you, Axl!

Rock | 12/29/2008, 5:52 pm EST

OMG go back to st.louis that would ROCK

Den | 12/29/2008, 5:50 pm EST

Im so obsessed with the Chinese Democracy CD, Cant stop listening to it, Rock on AXL

Sean Brownstein | 12/29/2008, 4:45 pm EST

Lets jusy hope they come back to montreal cause last time they were here in montreal I was out of town(lucky I was because that was the 93 riot)We want a free show in montreal so we can forgive you GNR!!!!

Me | 12/29/2008, 3:51 pm EST

Halifax! I’m nova scotian too…i miss home :( lol

brownsvillestation | 12/29/2008, 3:35 pm EST

hey maybe they should tour with Led Zeppelin!!!!!…sorry i just couldn’t resist

Frodeguns | 12/29/2008, 3:24 pm EST

I think its gonna be a tour in 09. And hopefully GNR will come to Norway again!!! :)

Frodeguns | 12/29/2008, 3:24 pm EST

I think its gonna be a tour in 09. And hopefully GNR will come to Norway again!!! :)

Jeff | 12/29/2008, 2:57 pm EST

I cannot WAIT to hear Shackler’s Revenge solo live.

Axl = the only singer other than Steven Tyler over the age of 45 that doesn’t sing in a lower key.

A living legend. Bring on the tour.

FUCK AXL ROSE | 12/29/2008, 2:51 pm EST

WE ARE STILL WAITING THE BETTER VIDEO THAT HE PROMISED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, SO HOW CAN BE POSIBLE THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO START A WORLD TOUR THAT WILL LAST TWO YEARS? AXL ROSE IS GETTING MAD AT HIS HOME , AXL I SUGGEST YOU TO PRACTICE ANY SPORT TO CLEAN YOUR MIND, GOOD BYE!!!

leonardo | 12/29/2008, 2:17 pm EST

Fuck yeah…..can’t hardly wait to see them perform Chinese live

Jennifer | 12/29/2008, 1:41 pm EST

Yippee!!!
saw GNR in toronto in 92 and my husband reluctantly sent me again
to Halifax in 06,
Axl was excellent as always
Lookin good!!sounded great!!
See ya in 09

Steve | 12/29/2008, 12:38 pm EST

How many band members will go on tour with Axl? Twenty-six? I wonder if Axl will bring a horn section and a children’s choir along. By the time the tour ends there will be only Axl and Dizzy left. Everyone else will have quit, been fired, died from malnutrition or left due to psychological trauma from Axl’s shenanigans.

Jer | 12/29/2008, 12:33 pm EST

I saw guns 2o years and then again in 02′ in Chicago. I support AXL and what he has done. He busted his ass 25 years ago to start guns and desreves it. While evryone moan and talked crap axl kept quiet and worked on the music. I will go to the next tour and buy any other albums they make. They are not the same band, none of us are the same people we were 20 years ago either. Its called progression and time. Things change over time. Keep rockin’ Axl…

Wiz007 | 12/29/2008, 12:13 pm EST

I’m still waiting on my Dr. Pepper!!!!!

id rather see | 12/29/2008, 11:56 am EST

faith no more reunion!!!!

surforia | 12/29/2008, 11:56 am EST

Saw them at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC in ‘06. It was Axl’s first show in 4 years; he had the best scream I’ve ever heard. Blew all other “screamers” away, including Chino from Deftones (which is very hard to do). Epic show.

Slash | 12/29/2008, 11:50 am EST

I am going on the tour

Joe | 12/29/2008, 11:46 am EST

Songs off the new CD that will translate well live

Sorry
This I Love
Scraped
There was a Time
Better
Street of Dreams
Madagascar

Should be a hell of a tour.

Schultz | 12/29/2008, 10:48 am EST

I like the CD disc, but I am not holding my breath for a tour

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