GUNS N’ ROSES played its two shows at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday and Saturday (April 8 and April 9), despite singer Axl Rose breaking a bone in his foot. The injury necessitated that Rose undergo a surgical procedure to insert a plate and screws. Rose revealed the injury via Twitter, saying “This is what can happen when you do something you haven’t done in nearly over 23 years,” apparently referring to the surprise GUNS concert on Friday, April 1 featuring Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan.
Rose also posted a video interview with his orthopedic surgeon in which the foot specialist revealed that Rose is currently in a cast and cannot put any weight on his foot. She pinpointed the break at Rose’s fifth metatarsal and noted that he will have to limit the amount of weight he puts on the front part of his foot “for about four weeks.”
For the shows, Rose performed on what was apparently the same custom throne Dave Grohl used last year for FOO FIGHTERS shows after breaking a leg. Rose told the audience before GN’R launched into “Rocket Queen” on Friday night, “I wanna thank Dave Grohl for this; it was very nice of him.”
Quality fan-filmed video footage of the April 8 concert can be seen below.
Only Rose, Slash and McKagan from GN’R’s “Appetite For Destruction”-era lineup took part in the Las Vegas shows. They were joined by keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and drummer Frank Ferrer. Also appearing with them was second keyboardist Melissa Reese.
GUNS N’ ROSES are still scheduled to play two shows in Mexico City and two gigs at the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival starting next weekend. A full North American tour is on tap for this summer.
Several hours after announcing the tour on April 1, GUNS played a gig at the Troubadour, one of the Los Angeles clubs where the band first performed before the release of its debut album, 1987’s “Appetite For Destruction”.
The set list for the Vegas shows expanded upon the song selection at the Troubadour, adding “Patience” and several favorites from the “Use Your Illusion” albums such as “November Rain”, “Civil War”, “Estranged” and “Coma”, which had not been performed live since 1993.
Source: Blabbermouth
