Guns N’ Roses frontman W. Axl Rose is suing Activision…pretty much because he hates former bandmate Slash. Rose was under the impression that Slash and his new band Velvet Revolver would not be in Guitar Hero III. He was under the impression that Slash imagery would be used for a tradeshow and not in the actual game. Here’s the skinny from The Hollywood Reporter:
The Guns N’ Roses frontman has just filed a $20 million lawsuit against Guitar Hero maker Activision claiming its use of the GNR song “Welcome to the Jungle” violated a deal not to include any imagery of ex-guitarist Saul Hudson (aka Slash) in the popular game.
In an amusing lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Rose and his Black Frog Music claim that Activision Blizzard fraudulently induced Rose into authorizing “Jungle” for use in Guitar Hero III by telling him during negotiations that it wouldn’t feature any reference to the former GNR member or his subsequent band, Velvet Revolver.
As much as I loved GNR back in the day, I always thought Axl was a dick. This confirms it.
It's unfortunate that Axl Rose is certifiable, because all parties involved were much better as a group than separately (although Velvet Revolver isn't bad).
Slash was one of two smokiest interviews in my career. The other was Itagaki. Both cats are very cool.
Haha, eccentricity in full swing
I have to go with Axl on this one, mainly because I hate Activision more.
Besides, if it was in the contract (verbal or written) that those were Axl's demands (no matter how petty) than breach of contract is breach of contract.
I would have to side with Axl as well, it may be petty and all- but a breach of contract is a breach of contract.
There does seem to be this epidemic of rock stars suing Activision over Guitar Hero. But it's always crazies like Courtney Love and Axl Rose, so I never feel like I can get an honest read on the situation. Like if Eric Clapton sued them, I think I'd be more likely to take it seriously and not just say, "Oh, well it's just so & so being so & so."
For various reasons, I doubt the talks happened the way he says they did.