These assumptions and theories are always nice. But in reality, if Uni was telling Axl to either get back with the old band or they'd drop him, he would be dropped right now.  I doubt, from everything I've seen and heard from Axl in the last ten years, that anything will make him do what he doesn't want to do.

And the main thing: Axl can take the finished recordings that he has to any label who wants it, and there are labels that would kill for a guy who has the ability to sell 3 million albums around the world... That's just in 6 months.

And as for Axl not being able to blackmail uni anymore... I think it was quite clear to everyone that he was holding no one hostage with CD. They were willing to eat it. Axl and Azoff just cleared the debt, which was the major sticking point.

And how can Slash be wrong... I hate getting into this, because I wasn't there, I don't know the full story, and niether does anyone else so this makes these arguments completely useless.... But didn't Duff even disagree with how Slash remembers things? And I've never heard Duff or Izzy go into any real detail about how things went down. And really, I haven't seen the people who were actually involved, and who do talk it, actually agree on what happened:  Axl-Slash-Doug. So I don't know who "all these people" who agree with Slash are, outside you guys.

And I'm not taking sides here, but just to even things out, Axl's explanation is just as realistic as the others I've heard.

Here's a thought:

Maybe Axl talked about Slash in his interviews so much because, I don't know, HE READS THESE BOARDS and this is all you guys can ever friggin talk about along with all of these assumptions and theories you pull out of your asses.

Those interviews were a direct result of (and aimed at) these boards. And you punks!

You can't really blame Universal/Geffen for being pissed off and not giving a shit after 2002 -- 

Axl really shouldn't be surprised. 2004 they cut his funding. And some pretty credible sources have stated that the label has washed their hands of him after years of trying to help him.

And really...

THEY GAVE HIM 13 MILLION DOLLARS AND SEVEN YEARS TO MAKE THIS RECORD!!!!

They aren't exactly being monsters. Funny thing is he still doesn't understand why they're treating him like this.

Lobster and hot naked chicks sounds good to me.

The only time I've really disagreed with you buzz, (not including your opinion based on the new line up because you have your thoughts and I'm not trying to change that) is when you state your opinions as fact and totally write off anything else anyone says that doesn't jive with your views. That maes it hard for me to take you seriously. But like I said, the old band means a lot to you, so I do understand where you're coming from. And I'll try to be more aware of that in the future/

As for my views Vs. your views:

I don't see this current line up as huge, or great. And my favorite line up of GNR, the 2002 version, is gone. It ain't coming back. And I blame Axl for that. But I'm not throwing stones at the current line up for it. I'm used to how this band operates. And I'm totally fine with how this band charts, how big or small concert attendance is, or how small they are in relation to GNR in its prime. I really don't care. They don't have to be huge. I just want killer music. That's all I care about. He delivered on that for me. That's where I stand. I'm not holding one line up over the other and I'm not pissing on another to help build up the one I like. I like them all.

And I don't see this band as something its not.

And I'm not sold that album sales equals a fanbase. I own a lot of records of bands I'm not a huge fan of and have no intention of seeing them live. GNR has some classic songs that people want in their collections. I don't see that as a sign of people wanting, or caring about the old line up getting back together. But I could be wrong there. I just don't see it being viewed any more than Motley Crue.

GNR never had the relationship with the fans to sustain a huge following like Aerosmith for example. I think a reunion would be big for nostalgia purposes, but that's about it. And I don't mean that as a negative.