Gurgaon gripped by Guns N’ Roses fever

Guns N’ Roses’ India debut might have come two decades too late (with iconic lead guitarist Slash no longer part of the band), but the 50-year-old frontman and sole original member, Axl Rose, did not disappoint. “Is it too loud for you guys?” screamed Axl, setting the mood for what was to be a paisa vasool concert in Gurgaon on Wednesday night, where a 5,000-strong crowd gathered to catch them live.
For someone who is notorious for keeping fans waiting, Axl kicked off the concert sharp at 7pm. A highly sobered down version of his younger self – he kept saying ‘thank you’ after each set – Axl entertained throughout the three-hour gig. Just how sober, was made clear when someone from the crowd shouted Slash’s name. Axl has been known to get angry, and sometimes violent, on stage, when Slash is mentioned. But this time, he just smiled, and said, “Well, he wasn’t feeling too well. He went to take a nap.”
A dozen costume changes and running around to appearing wearing a wig and mask while singing Knocking On Heaven’s Doors, Axl took fans on a roller coaster ride. In between, the guitarists – Ron Bumblefoot Thal, DJ Ashba and Richard Fortus – played small solos each. Sweet Child Of Mine and Paradise City got a roaring applause.
During the final bow, Axl said, “I have waited for a lifetime to perform for you. It’s been a lifelong dream for me and I’m very, very, very happy to be here. I’m so thankful to you guys for being here.” And just when we thought it was over, he sang two more songs, from which he dedicated Patience to Ravi Shankar. “We’d like to dedicate this song and this show to sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar,” he said.
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