Page 23 - IONIndieMagazine Vollume 41 Nov/Dec2017

The only thing bigger than that ginormous caravan was the insanely huge buzz that Guns N’

Roses created by coming to the community of El Paso. Coverage was sought after by all local
media outlets. Teasers, hype, and conjectures were blasted across all the evening news
television stations. Let me remind you, El Paso is a population of 800K – not exactly a bustling
metropolis. GNR? A VERY BIG deal!

The day of the show, this whole city was anticipating this milestone show with both reverence
and rapture. I got to the stadium and was quickly immersed in a sea of GNR t-shirts. This
community was so obviously geared up for a great time…you could see it in everyone’s faces

and feel the thrill in the air. No one was immune to GNR fever, counting myself and every
other member of the working media here in El Paso. Opener ZZ Top – no stranger to this
publication -- hit the stage at 7:30 to perform their high-energy set, opening with classic hits
such as “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “Legs,” and “La Grange.” It was a fantastic show, but make
no mistake, this was a GNR crowd.

Axl and the boys exploded onto the stage at 9:00 p.m. They opened with “It’s So Easy,”
followed by “Mr. Brownstone” and “Chinese Democracy.” As is the case for photojournalists

shooting such high-profile music events…it’s “three songs and out” for the media. However,
if those three songs were just an appetizer, the band was serving up a gourmet meal of
sizzling ROCK that would satiate the hungriest of GNR fans. For these first three songs, there
should have been smoke pouring from my lens as I shot in fast

succession. It was as if I was watching history unfold…and I didn’t

want to miss a second of it. From all reports and judging by their
setlist, GNR never took their foot off the gas. For me, this was a
show that will remain in my memory for a long time to come,
including the sights and sounds of Axl holding court on that
magnificent stage, while guitar wizard Slash delivered unto the
GNR worshippers his searing guitar licks -- an experience that
one doesn’t easily forget…not that I would ever want to.

GNR will return to the States with added dates which will run
until the end of the year. If you’ve already caught the show, you
would echo my enthusiasm. If you haven’t had the chance to see
GNR live, by all means, start saving and get that prized
ticket…and be prepared to take the trip of a lifetime.

In closing, when it comes to Axl’s ominous prediction when
asked about the possibility of a reunion -- and he snapped back
with “Not in this lifetime!” -- I’d say that although Axl is no doubt
an exceptional frontman, I’m sure glad he isn’t much of a
prophet.