Axl did a 60 minute interview with China Exchange

Hi everyone, my first post here.  Well I WAS THERE TONIGHT!!!!   I am posting this info because it's what I'd like as a GnR fan if I hadn't made it. I registered recently for some online website that informs you of when bands are playing and got a notification on Friday from them about an Axl Rose event today.  I booked it immediately and asked for the afternoon off work. As has been stated, Axl was late but the traffic in London was a nightmare today with the heavy rain and it genuinely wasn't his fault.  I thought the venue seemed a bit odd too but online I could see other stars have done this.  I have to say I have no insider info and was just lucky to get the ticket on Friday. I managed to get a seat on the front row too and I asked Axl a question.  

Axl looked and sounded great, he was happy, smiling, polite, very friendly and I have to say endearing.  The moderator talked wth him first for a while then opened the floor to questions and said they had to be intelligent questions. Mostly they were to be honest and Axl came across as very intelligent himself. There was a camera filming so I'd assume there will be a video posted online at some point.  There was no bitching about Slash so if anyone says otherwise it's a lie.  The only thing I remember in this regard is someone asked how they got on now, and Axl said words to the effect of its all great/good and that it had been 19yrs since they'd spoken and that Slash had written things in his book that were just made up.  Someone asked Axl if he would write a book so we can hear his side, and he said he would but that it would be hard to tell his side now they've made up without it affecting things. I'm sorry those aren't Axls exact words, it's just how I remember.

When I got the chance to ask a question, I asked now that GnR have reformed, do you have any plans to tour in the UK/Europe (outside the states)?  My mind was a bit jellied because I was in awe but he said definitely, that they want to pursue or push this to be a big thing.  

While people managed to take photos on their phones, the moderator eventually said we should put down on phones/stop recording and enjoy the moment for its rarity in the here and now  - he didn't want people to film it and said we can look at the video later on YouTube.  That's why there isn't much video footage.  At the end the moderator said because they'd been mobbed outside coming in, he didn't want us to be all middle class and start taking selfies/autographs, and said Axl and his entourage will leave shortly.  But then Axl said he was happy to stay for photos/autographs.  I was hoping to have my photo taken with him, but it was like a scrum - people trying to get to him, brandishing albums for his signature.  I felt during the whole session Axl had been relaxed and friendly and been happy to answer people's questions, and I felt this scramble at the end was a shame.  It felt like people were just keen to get signatures (maybe to sell on) or take a selfie and before I got a chance to get close to Axl his bodyguard said that was enough. I saw the videos when Axl left and was walking back to his taxi - I think it's shameful how people were jumping in front of him and snapping etc.  I have to be honest and say he was a really lovely guy, and I think he deserved treating with greater respect.  

I am still star struck.......I will try and post some photos if I can figure it out....

Axl has always been keen to work on a film soundtrack and may do so in the future, saying ‘I was more interested in that than staying in Guns N’ Roses’.
Axl does regular vocal exercises and has resumed work with a vocal coach he had stopped working with 20 years prior, since the Back In Black material is particularly demanding.
Axl apparently made a concious effort to make his voice ‘clearer’ for the Chinese Democracy album which he feels people did not respond to.

Axl is working on new music which has been received positively by Duff McKagan and Slash.

Axl believes that Slash fabricated some details in his book and told him so over the phone when they patched things up in 2015.

Axl feels that he and Angus Young have good chemistry and is open to working on new music with him.

Slash’s new work ethic impressed Axl, as he and Duff learned the Chinese Democracy material without being prompted.
There are definite plans for a Guns N’ Roses tour in the UK
The current Guns N’ Roses arrangement is one that Axl hopes to keep ‘going for quite a while’
In retrospect, Axl believes he should have self-released more music rather than use a large record label.

Axl has always been keen to work on a film soundtrack and may do so in the future, saying ‘I was more interested in that than staying in Guns N’ Roses’.

Axl does regular vocal exercises and has resumed work with a vocal coach he had stopped working with 20 years prior, since the Back In Black material is particularly demanding.

Axl has a varied music taste and particularly enjoys Frank Sinatra, but doesn’t see too much branching into genres such as jazz.

Axl apparently made a concious effort to make his voice ‘clearer’ for the Chinese Democracy album which he feels people did not respond to.

Axl is working on new music which has been received positively by Duff McKagan and Slash.

There no plans for a solo album.

Axl may release his own book.

Axl believes that Slash fabricated some details in his book and told him so over the phone when they patched things up in 2015.

Axl feels that he and Angus Young have good chemistry and is open to working on new music with him.

Slash’s new work ethic impressed Axl, as he and Duff learned the Chinese Democracy material without being prompted.

There are definite plans for a Guns N’ Roses tour in the UK

The current Guns N’ Roses arrangement is one that Axl hopes to keep ‘going for quite a while’

In retrospect, Axl believes he should have self-released more music rather than use a large record label.

Sir David Tang is a douchebag

Sir David Tang: Listen, I am sorry. Axl was absolutelly punctual leaving his hotel but traffic destroyed us, so sorry for being late.

I just want to say, it is a huge honor for me and the China Exchange that Axl is here today. He tells me it is the first time he has appeared in public without his boots [?], so thank God for [?]

Axl Rose: [something about his cast]

Tang: I don't know very much about rock music, I know a little bit but not enough, so I am going to allow perhaps some of you to ask him question about music. I am just keen to ask him ordinary things, like what you regard as tender. I have this theory from you as not the gentlest man on Earth...

Axl: HAH!

Sir David Tang: ...but surely there must be moments when you want to touch tenderness or when you need tenderness. What are those moments? I mean, can you remember the last time you felt something that was rather nice and gentle?

Axl: Well, uhm okay. I had no idea what to expect coming here [mumbles] I don't know why I wanted to come here [?]