2014.10.23 - Journal & Courier - The day Axl Rose came to town

The day Axl Rose came to town

Thomas Maxfield

It's common knowledge that locally bred rock star Axl Rose doesn't spend much time, if any, reminiscing about his hometown. Born and raised in Lafayette as William B. Bailey, he left for Los Angeles in 1982 seeking a change. He's made it apparent in many ways that he's not interested in looking back.

But there's one Lafayette connection that still sticks close to Rose, and that's Arni's pizza.

Rose has made many sneak visits to Lafayette over the years to dine at Arni's on Elmwood Avenue. Arni's owner Brad Cohen said in a 2002 interview that he often ships pizzas out to Rose's home in Malibu, California. Sometimes it's a couple of pies; other times Arni's has catered parties hosted by Rose.

In 1992, Rose made one of his surprise visits to town following a Guns N' Roses performance at Indianapolis' Hoosier Dome. It was brief, but this time fans were waiting.

According to an account in the J&C, while Rose and friends dined inside, about 30 fans and members of the local media waited for a peek of him in the parking lot. Then with his trademark headband and entourage of bodyguards, the rocker made a quick exit, waving as he scrambled into one of three limousines parked at the curb.

"He was really hot," said Shannon Thompson, 16, a Lafayette Guns N' Roses fan who attended the Indianapolis concert the night before. She said Rose's disdain for his hometown was a positive message. "What he's saying is, we're the people who have to make the difference."

Allison West, 15, trying to control her breathing, screamed, "Oh my God! Oh my God! I need a bag! I need a bag!"

Lisa Warren of Rensselaer happened upon the scene when she came to pick up a pizza and saw the limos and bodyguards. She called her friend Rhonda Hollis of Lafayette and they hustled back.

"All we want to do is get his autograph," Warren said.

For Emily Jones, 14, and her sister Carrie, 11, the sight of limos proved to be too much of a magnet for the star-struck girls.

"Axl's grandmother lives down the street — we call her Grandma. We saw the limos down there and started to chase him for two blocks. My mom and neighbor drove after him," Emily said.

Nick Peineck, 14, walked off with a personal memento from Rose's visit. He picked up Rose's still-smoldering cigarette butt from the sidewalk.

"I'm going to put it in my room ... frame it," he said. "I'm going to take a drag."



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