Guitarist Slash and Wife Perla: Supporting Equal Marriage Rights

[kpete]

Run time: 01:01 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bun4J3OhwQc   Posted on YouTube: November 14, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 14, 2008 By DU Member: kpete Views on DU: 1658

 

[Taverner]

1. Once homophobes and racists, they have come over to the good side. It's the cookies I tell ya!

[progdonkey]

6. homophobes and racists?

I'm presuming you're referring to this:

The band's next release was G N' R Lies in 1988, which reached #2 in the Billboard music charts. The album included the four Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide recordings on one side and four acoustic songs on the other. The song "One in a Million", which included the words "niggers" and "faggots" among other such profanities, led to controversy in which critics accused the band, and specifically Axl Rose, of racism and homophobia. <15> Rose responded (in a 1990 interview with MTV) by saying the claims were unfounded, particularly considering Slash himself is half black. He went on to explain that the words were those of a protagonist and not a personal statement, and that the lyrics reflected racial and prejudicial problems within society rather than promoting them. Rose also cited that he idolized gay/bisexual singers like Freddie Mercury and Elton John. The band had played gigs alongside the all-black metal band Body Count, and lead singer Ice T wrote in his book, The Ice Opinion, that Axl had been "a victim of the press the same way I am".<16>

And regarding the specific song:

Before the release of Lies the other members of the band tried in vain to make Rose drop the track from the record. <16> Fellow GN'R member, Slash, whose mother is black, noted that he did not condone the song but did not condemn his bandmate, commenting in a 1991 interview with Rolling Stone: "When Axl first came up with the song and really wanted to do it, I said I didn't think it was very cool... I don't regret doing 'One in a Million,' I just regret what we've been through because of it and the way people have perceived our personal feelings." <17>

[theFrankFactor]

7. As a Rock Musician and Writer...

I find it frustrating that the use of "nigger" and "faggot" in any context is immediately considered racist and bigoted. For instance, I have a video titled "Republicans Blame Clinton, Niggers for Wall Street Failures"(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAvhWKp0N4M), in general it is well received but I do find I get many complaints. I understand it can be offensive... that's the point! It makes for bad press and sound bites as well.

[Taverner]

8. Hey people change - they were, what, 18 when they cut that song?

If I remember it was from their garage days...

They've more than made up for it

[progdonkey]

9. but there was nothing to "make up"...

that's the whole point! :banghead:

You called Slash and his wife former homophobes and racists, when the whole germ of that allegation is something written by Axl Rose that was misunderstood anyway. And his wife had nothing to do with anything.

(Btw, it was from their second album--after their debut which is the highest/second-highest selling debut album to date--so they were well out of any "garage days.")

[Taverner]

10. Yes, but GnR 'Lies' (the album in question) was made up of demos and outtakes

I was saying GnR, which seems to have quit drugs, killed their racism and homophobia and embraced plastic surgery (well, at least Axl) has grown

I don't buy the "One in a Million' isn't racist" argument - but I also think people can change

[and-justice-for-all]

2. I, as a metal head, support their support. nt

[Pharaoh]

3. Slash is Awesome!

A true Guitar God!!

k&r

[ksimons]

4. K&R

[Seldona]

5. K&R

nt

[Maat]

11. How very cool!

I appreciate their putting the word out.