Tuesday
Feb262013
What A Guns n' Roses Meet and Greet Is Like
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 12:01AM 
I'm a huge Guns n' Roses fan, and more importantly, I am 100% Team Axl when it comes to the current divide amongst the fans of the band between Axl Rose and the other four original members. So when it was announced that Axl was bringing the show to Las Vegas for a 12 night residency from October to November of 2012, my interest in attending was immediately peaked. I ended up getting tickets to attend the last night of the series of shows (November 24, 2012). Reviews of the show have already been posted, and the videos are out on Youtube, so everyone can see the actual show for themselves. The point of this post is to tell you about the biggest gamble I took in Vegas: I bought the meet and greet ticket option for the show!
In all honesty, I went back and forth on whether the extra money was worth it, because it was advertised that you would meet "members of Guns n Roses." We all know that there is only one member anyone wants to meet, and he isn't known for doing meet and greets, or even for getting to the stage on time. But I thought, "Axl's been more fan friendly these days, it is the last show of the residency... maybe he will show up," and I decided to go for it.
It was a rather disorganized event, but the staff was nice enough. Upon checking in, we were lead to a side room with a private bar where we waited for the meet and greet to begin. I met a mother/son duo who flew to Vegas from New Hampshire to attend all three shows that week, and they did the meet and greet each time, and Axl hadn't shown up for the prior two that week, so I was disheartened, but I had faith. He would be there!
After a half hour, we all lined up at the door to go upstairs to meet the band. Those with GA floor tickets were first in the line (which included me). I was about 50 deep in the line of probably 200 to 250 people total. Upon getting upstairs, we saw Robin Finck walking around, but we all stayed in line. It was tough to read the faces of those leaving, and no one was overjoyed, so doubt started setting in. After 20 minutes or so, we were led into the room and saw who was there... DJ Ashba, Tommy Stinson, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, Dizzy Reed... and NO ONE ELSE! I was bummed, but hey, it was Vegas. I took my gamble and I lost. Such is life.
To their credit, all four of the guys were extremely friendly and personable. They have a tough job because they know that everyone in that line was hoping to meet someone who wasn't there. They took pictures, made small talk and then moved you along. Thankfully, the cost for this meet and greet wasn't like the KISS or Aerosmith price range ($1000 - $1500), but rather was about an additional $80 or $100. It was still a good time and the show was amazing. Team Axl for life!
Reader Comments (27)
I like the fact that you took a different tack than most that are posted on here which are usually of the concert review variety, which i was also guilty of with my Poison Crüe Review I wrote for BBG! a couple years back.
Just curious, however, why exactly it is you are 100% TEAM AXL? Please explain, if you don't mind.
p.s. Also, Bri... Just wonder in' -- Do you have a Top 10 Best of 2012? It would be fascinating to know who your faves from last year are. AND, last but not least, you goin' to M3?
I have been lucky enough to meet a lot of musicians for free. I am actually appalled that they make money like this but that's ok, because they will never make money off of me.
I saw Station about a week ago.. perfect addition to the pre-party.
As far as paying to meet artists... pretty weak in my book. Although I know a couple years ago Doro had the same thing.. the difference, it was to benefit the 9-11 fund ten years after the tragedy. All money was donated.
Oh wait. I was just in line at Taco Bell behind 5 other anonymous homeless looking guys. Not a member of what's calling itself Guns N' Roses. Same difference.
There's obviously a demand for paid meet & greets or the fad would've died off quickly. Some people don't have the luck or connections to be able to meet their favorite artist(s), so if they are willing to pay to meet said artist, I don't see the problem. Sure, some of them are way overpriced, especially the ones where you don't get to meet the band, but no one's forcing you to throw away your cash. Some bands are vocally against the idea, but that doesn't make them any better than bands who do it. Motley still does them (with prices higher than ever), yet Vince often goes to after parties and meets fans for free at local clubs. Most of the big bands who do paid meet and greets also do "free" ones with radio winners.
Comparing a band like Lynch Mob to GN'R is like night and day. Guns are typically playing to an arena full of fans, whereas Lynch is playing to a couple hundred in a bar. Axl & Co. can't just stroll out to the merch stand after the show and meet their fans. Lynch isn't "innocent" in this scenario either. A couple summers ago when he opened for Mr. Big, he was charging almost as much as Mr. Big was for a VIP package just to meet him. Before the show, there were some fans outside the venue trying to get his autograph and he refused to sign for them.
The only thing about them that bothers me is to hear that an artist bailed on people who paid to meet them - but only if the literature stated for a fact the artist would be there. Tommy Lee supposedly had a habit of missing the meets on Motley's '05 tour. Those fans were at least refunded 1/4 of their money. Thats why the GN'R one stated "members of Gn'R." Axl didn't "not show" or "stiff" anyone. The site never said you would meet Axl Rose, and if anyone really thought they were guaranteed to meet him at one of these things, they need a realty check. Although I can understand Brian's optimism that it might happen, considering the circumstances. Axl has been known to hang out during the after parties at their shows, but it's stated that he will not sign autographs or take pix with anyone. It's just a "hang out and talk" kind of thing.
My buddy went to a KISS meet and greet before their last Tampa show and did he ever get the treatment:
They showed up unmasked, hugged up everybody (only about 50 people), then performed a 45 minute unplugged set and then took the time to pose for pictures with every individual in the room separately or in the groups they came in, all for $1,250 including front row seats for their full stage performance.
Yeah, it's a lot of bread but I would say if ya got the money to burn, KISS' idea of a VIP package delivers.
You goin' to M3?
And you got any fave albums of 2012?
Glad to see ya back, Bro. "It's been a long time, been a long time..."
BTW, grammar police moment: by "peaked" you actually mean "piqued." I'd leave it, but I've seen this mistake too many times on this site.