Geffen Records Prevails Over Axl Rose Lawsuit - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 03-16-2004, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Geffen Records Prevails Over Axl Rose Lawsuit

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday cleared the way for Geffen Records to release a greatest-hits album next week from the rock band Guns N' Roses over the objection of its lead singer, Axl Rose.

Rose sued Geffen, a unit of Universal Music Group under Vivendi Universal, seeking to prevent the best-of collection from being released, claiming he was not consulted on the choice or remixing of material for the album.

He was joined as a plaintiff in the suit, filed last Friday, by two band members from the original lineup -- guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan -- even though their rights to the Guns N' Roses name was signed over to Rose years ago when they left the group.

But U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer denied their request for a temporary restraining order, allowing Geffen to issue the album as planned next Tuesday. A hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction was set for next month.

"Their lawsuit is meritless," Universal Music spokesman Peter LoFrumento said. "Fortunately, since the court has denied their application for a temporary restraining order, the album will be released as scheduled on March 23."

According to the lawsuit, Rose objected to the selection of songs for the compilation album, the timing of its release, the album's artwork and the re-mastering of the original tapes.

The album features 14 tracks in all and eight of Guns N' Roses' hit singles, including "Welcome to the Jungle, "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" from the mega-selling 1987 album "Appetite for Destruction."

The group's last studio album, "The Spaghetti Incident?," was issued in 1993. A 2002 MTV appearance by a reconstituted Guns N' Roses, with Rose as the lone member from the band's heyday, helped spark interest in the group's new lineup, but a subsequent U.S. tour was cut short.

The suit, which accuses Geffen of trademark infringement and breach of contract, says the label is barred under its contract with Guns N' Roses from altering its master recordings without the band's permission.

A statement from Rose's manager added that the greatest-hits set "will hinder the release of the band's long-awaited new studio album, 'Chinese Democracy."'

Geffen officials had no further comment on the dispute. But a source familiar with the situation said the label has been waiting seven years for Rose to deliver "Chinese Democracy" and has poured $13 million into production of that album after repeated promises that he was about to finish the project.

"Every year there's been a new reason why Axl is not done with the record," the source told Reuters, adding that Geffen went ahead with the greatest-hits package only because Rose failed to come through with "Chinese Democracy." "Had he delivered this record like he promised seven years ago, this would not be happening right now."

A representative for Rose was not immediately available for comment.

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Last night walking about town the wife and I saw a bill posted on the wall touting the new GnR Greatest Hits album.

IMHO Axl is a tool. 7 years and US$13 million and he still hasn't come up with an album? He could have easily leveraged the concert tour last year to be the band that brought rock back from the brink and into a new era. But no. He's a loser.

kutulu · 03-17-2004, 09:21 AM

I totally agree with you. I used to be a GnR fan but now I could give a fuck about that Botox injected asshole. China will be a democracy before Chineese Democracy is out!

There also was a story on blabbermouth.net yesterday that Buckethead is no longer with the band. It's unconfirmed as of now, but I think it's great.

God of Thunder · 03-17-2004, 09:54 AM

"Use Your Illusion" was the biggest dissapointment in rock history, IMHO.

It was not a waste of one album, it was a waste of two albums. I can't believe I actually bought them both, thinking I was getting double the GnR. Hell "Lies" was a better effort than "Use Your Illusion".

I will not be buying the greatest hits, because I already own it, it's called "Appetite for Destruction"

krwlz · 03-17-2004, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by God of Thunder
I will not be buying the greatest hits, because I already own it, it's called "Appetite for Destruction"

My sentements exactly... Thats the sound that sold, what ever possesed axle to want to change it?

Kaos · 03-17-2004, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by God of Thunder
"Use Your Illusion" was the biggest dissapointment in rock history, IMHO.

It was not a waste of one album, it was a waste of two albums. I can't believe I actually bought them both, thinking I was getting double the GnR. Hell "Lies" was a better effort than "Use Your Illusion".

Wait...what exactly did you find wrong with the Illusion albums? I'll agree that a couple of songs were "filler" and The Don't Cry and November Rain song were there to pander to the Sweet Child o Mine influenced fans, but there was some really kick ass, amazing songs on those 2 albums.

Go back and listen to the songs that did not get airplay: The Garden w/Alice Cooper, Bad Obsession, Bad Apples, Pretty Tied Up, LOCOMOTIVE (My favourite) etc. There are some really great songs there.

Take out the sophmoric My World, Get In The Ring, Shotgun Blues, and the weak Don't Cry songs, and the Knockin on Heavens Door cover and they could have made one hell of an awesome Single album instead of stretching it to 2.

kutulu · 03-17-2004, 01:00 PM

There were a lot of good songs on the Illusion albums. They should have cut a few songs and sold it as a two-cd set. Selling it as two separate albums was a slap in the face to the fans because it was only sold that way so that they could collect a few more bucks.

Coma was a great song.

Don't Cry (alt lyrics) should have been a B-side.

Songs that should have been completly cut:
Don't Damn Me
Bad Apples
My World
So Fine

Now The Spaghetti Incident? that's another story altogether....

God of Thunder · 03-17-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kaos
they could have made one hell of an awesome Single album instead of stretching it to 2.

I think that's my main beef. It had too much fluff and filler.

Quote:

Originally posted by kutulu
They should have cut a few songs and sold it as a two-cd set. Selling it as two separate albums was a slap in the face to the fans because it was only sold that way so that they could collect a few more bucks.

That's my other point.

Appetite was just raw emotion and anger.

With the illusions they tried to hard to make something that was better than the previous stuff. IMHO they sold out and were just trying to cash in.

I agree there were good songs, but not enough to warrant buying two seperate albums. Bad marketing, bad releations with the fans and just a bad idea.

03-17-2004, 09:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
God of Thunder Talk nerdy to me Location: Flint, MI	"Use Your Illusion" was the biggest dissapointment in rock history, IMHO. It was not a waste of one album, it was a waste of two albums. I can't believe I actually bought them both, thinking I was getting double the GnR. Hell "Lies" was a better effort than "Use Your Illusion". I will not be buying the greatest hits, because I already own it, it's called "Appetite for Destruction" __________________ I reject your reality, and substitute my own -- Adam Savage

03-17-2004, 09:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	I totally agree with you. I used to be a GnR fan but now I could give a fuck about that Botox injected asshole. China will be a democracy before Chineese Democracy is out! There also was a story on blabbermouth.net yesterday that Buckethead is no longer with the band. It's unconfirmed as of now, but I think it's great.

03-17-2004, 01:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	There were a lot of good songs on the Illusion albums. They should have cut a few songs and sold it as a two-cd set. Selling it as two separate albums was a slap in the face to the fans because it was only sold that way so that they could collect a few more bucks. Coma was a great song. Don't Cry (alt lyrics) should have been a B-side. Songs that should have been completly cut: Don't Damn Me Bad Apples My World So Fine Now The Spaghetti Incident? that's another story altogether....