Having been so close to the band right from the start, how do you feel
about they way evolved over the years into the Use Your Illusion albums? Do you have any thoughts about Velvet Revolver? Do you have any thoughts about Axl's 'new''˜ Guns N' Roses?

The Use Your Illusion albums were a big change from Appetite For Destruction. The songs were put together a lot different. The guys no longer were living together and some of them had studios in their homes. Sometimes a song would be brought to the band already recorded and then lyrics would later be written. Also Slash was able to put some magic to songs that Axl came up this time like 'November Rain' and 'Estranged.' Now they had some money in their pockets and had a nice place to live,so the tension from living on the streets was gone. They were 5 years older. The songs for Appetite were put together in 1985. When Izzy left I knew there were going to be some problems in the way that the band was going to write songs. Izzy was a great song starter. I was disappointed when that lineup fell apart but now years later Axl has like 50 songs with the new band. I've heard Chinese Democracy and it's great. Axl has toured around the world and always gives his best show live. Slash, Duff, and Matt put out 2 great records with Velvet Revolver and are touring the world. So there all doing well.

Any plans to do a sequel documenting the making of the Illusions albums?

No, the only person who would be able to do that would be Del James. He is also a friend of the band and still works with them now. He was the one documenting where I left off.

Finally, can you tell us your best GN'R story?

The whole experience was great for me. I do remember seeing their first show at the Troubadour on June 6, 1985 and knowing that I was witnessing something very special. I knew right there if they could stay together long enough that they would get signed and at least have a gold record.

September 28,1985 was also very special because they were opening up for Social Distortion and the whole show was running a few hours late. The punks were getting restless and the last thing they wanted to see was a bunch of guys on stage wearing make up and playing Stones songs. Guns N' Roses were able to maintain the stage while being spit on and won over the crowd and handled the stage like a stadium band.

Also seeing 10 of the 12 songs from Appetite for Destruction performed for the first time at these gigs was great because most of them were album ready the first time they played them. So it was great to see them creating those special songs one after another.

-AR

Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction is available now at RecklessRoad.com, or at a bookstore near you.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MARC CANTER, AUTHOR OF RECKLESS ROAD: GUNS N' ROSES AND THE MAKING OF APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

As heir to the legendary Canter's Deli in LA, Marc Canter is practically Hollywood royalty; as a friend of the guitar legend the world knows as Slash, he also found himself in the unique position of being able to watch - and document - Guns N' Roses ascent from gutter punks on the Strip to the biggest band in the world.

Now Canter has released a book, Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction. Compiling countless interviews and never-before-seen photos, the book chronicles the band's first fifty shows and their path to the creation of one of the most successful hard rock albums of all time - there's even a component whereby you can listen to bootleg recordings of those shows and watch some video on the net by utilizing a code that comes with the book. It is, simply put, a must own for any GN'R fanatic (such as yours truly).

I recently had the chance to conduct an interview with Canter via e-mail. After the jump, read Marc's thoughts on the creation of such a book, what GN'R were like in the old days, Chinese Democracy, Velvet Revovler, and more. Then head over to RecklessRoad.com to order the book.

You've obviously known the guys in GN'R for a long time. Why did you
decide to do the book now?

In 1993 I told Axl that I wanted to put out a Guns N' Roses book about the club days and he was like 'Yeah, that would be a great idea.' So I worked 5 hours a day for 15 months putting together the manuscript with all the photos laid out so that it would look real attractive to the publishers. When it was done the band was sort of breaking up and there was no record in site and my agent wanted too much money from the publishers. I just wanted to get this out to the fans to share with them what I was lucky enough to witness. So after a year and a half my agent sent me back the book and said 'If the band ever puts out a record, call me.' So it sat in my closet for years.

Two things happened in 2006. Axl played me Chinese Democracy in August and he told me it should be out by November and just by chance I found Jason Porath in September. He was working for enhanced books and he was calling me to see if Canter's Deli wanted to place an ad on their site because Canter's was in a book called American Great Delis that had been enhanced, meaning there are audio and video extras for the online part of the book. I asked Jason to tell me more about Enhanced Books and then I told him that I had put together a GN'R book and that I recorded all the shows and this would be a perfect project when I get ready to put out my book someday. A date was set for Chinese Democracy to come out for March 2007. Jason said he wanted to see what I had put together and that maybe he could help me get it out.

Six weeks later Jason was in town with Steven Slomkowski the guy who ended up doing the design for Reckless Road. They looked at my stuff and liked what they saw. I knew these were the right people to work with and now has to be the time to get this project rolling again. We put together a deal for the book to come out in the fall of 2007. I felt that would be a good time for the book to be out, 6 months after Axl puts out his new record.

Saul...

RAW (18-02-08)

JEFF HARDY vs. SNITSKY - Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
WINNER: Jeff Hardy via pin (+6 Communist China)

PAUL BURCHILL vs. SUPER CRAZY
WINNER: Paul Burchill via pin

MR. KENNEDY vs.  - Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
WINNER: Mr. Kennedy via pin (+6 Pride&Glory)

BETH PHOENIX vs. MARIA
WINNER: Maria via pin

JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON - Triple H As The Special Guest Referee, If Cena Wins, He Goes To Wrestlemaina XXIV
WINNER: John Cena via pin (+11 Pride&Glory)

RANKING:

1. Axl S = 311
2. Pride&Glory = 297
3. Communist China = 279
4. AtariLegend = 258
5. A Private Eye = 200
6. Jameslofton = 186

RAW

Ashley, Brian Kendrick, Carlito, Charlie Haas, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Harry Smith, JBL, Jillian, Maria, Melina, Mickie James, Paul Burchill, Paul London, Robbie McAllister, Santino Marella, Snitsky, Super Crazy, Val Venis

Inactive/Non-Wreslting:

Candice, Hornswoggle (Cruiserweight Champion), Hulk Hogan, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, Jonathan Coachman, Lance Cade, Lilian Garcia, Linda McMahon, Marty Jannety, Mick Foley, Mr. McMahon, Ron Simmons, Rory McAllister, Sgt. Slaughter, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Stone Cold, Todd Grisham, Trevor Murdoch, William Regal, Vladimir Kozlov 

ECW

Balls Mahoney, Chavo Guerrero (ECW Champion), Collin Delaney, Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, Kofi Kingston, Matt Striker, Mike Knox, Nunzio, Stevie Richards, Tommy Dreamer

Inactive/Non-Wreslting:

Armando Estrada, Boogeyman, Joey Styles, Kelly Kelly, Layla, Rob Van Dam, Tazz, Tony Chimel

SmackDown!

Brett Major, Brian Major, Curt Hawkins, Dave Taylor, Deuce, Domino, Festus, Funaki, James Curtis, Jesse, Jimmy Wang Yang, Justin Roberts, Kenny Dykstra, Maryse, Michelle McCool, The Big Show, Shannon Moore, Torrie Wilson, Victoria, Zack Ryder

Inactive/Non-Wreslting:

Cherry, Gregory Helms, Nattie Neidhart, Matt Hardy, Michael Cole, Ted DiBiase Jr., Theodore Long, Vickie Guerrero

Other/Unavailable:

Bart Gunn, Bob Backlund, Doink The Clown, Flash Funk, Gangrel, Gillberg, Lita, Mae Young, Mini-Batista, Mini-Kane, Mini-Mr. Kennedy, Mini-Mankind, IRS, Neidhart, Pete Gas, Repo Man, Scotty Two Hotty, Sunny, Ted DiBiase, The Goon, Trish Stratus

Released/Unavailable:

Al Snow, Bobby Lashley, Brooke, Chris Masters

Jobbers/Unavailable

David Owens, Jeff Lewis, Rob Echo

Current Participants:

A Private Eye: Triple H, Chris Jerchio, The Great Khali, Mark Henry, <Lance Cade>, Montel Vontavious Porter (United States Champion)
Axl S: Edge (World Champion), Big Daddy V, Cody Rhodes (World Tag Team Champion), Finlay, Kane
Pride&Glory: Shawn Michaels, Mr. Kennedy, Batista, John Cena, <Trevor Murdoch>, Hardcore Holly (World Tag Team Champion)
AtariLegend: CM Punk, The Undertaker, JBL, <Bobby Lashley>, Umaga, Ric Flair
Jameslofton: Randy Orton (WWE Champion), Jamie Noble,<Matt Hardy>, Beth Phoenix (Womens Champion), Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, <Torrie Wilson>
Communist China: Jeff Hardy (Intercontinental Champion) , Rey Mysterio, John Morrison (WWE Tag Team Champion), Chuck Palumbo, The Miz (WWE Tag Team Champion), <Paul London>