1989.11.30 - Rolling Stone - Random Notes [shows at the Cathouse and LA Coliseum]

Although he donned the glam-rock makeup of GUNS Ν’ ROSES' early' days for the bands recent gig at Hollywood's Cathouse, AXL ROSE was hardly reverent of the godfather of glam, DAVID BOWIE, who was in the audience.

After the set, Axl reportedly tried to start a fight with Bowie, accusing him of putting the moves on a female member of the Guns entourage. Before things came to a head, they were separated by security guards.

That stunt was just a warm-up for Axl's temper tantrum later that week during the band’s opening set for the ROLLING STONES at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Rose took the stage and, before the rest of the band could join him, went into an extended tirade defending the song "One in a Million" from charges of racism and homophobia. Before the second song, Axl again couldn't contain himself. "I don’t like to do this onstage,” he said, “but unless certain people in this band start getting their act together, these are going to be the last Guns n' Roses shows. I'm sick and tired of too many people in this organization dancing with Mr. Brownstone" — a reference to the band's song about heroin use. Prior to the groups encore, "Paradise City,” Axl announced, “This is my last gig with Guns n' Roses.”

When the band took the stage the following night, there was no sign of Axl. Hiis time, SLASH - sporting a Betty Ford Clinic T-shirt — lapsed into a diatribe against the evils of drugs. At that point, Axl appeared and apologized for his comments the previous night, adding, "I just didn’t want to see my friends slip away.”

That night it was LIVING COLOUR'S VERNON REID who spoke his mind onstage, offering his opinion on Axl’s racial views. “It’s been cool on this tour opening for the Stones," says Reid, "but some things were said on this stage last night that I have a problem with.”