He may be younger than your average GNR fan, but this past weekend 18-year-old James Revell learned everything he needs to know about supporting Guns N’ Roses: It’s a dismal existence.

It might just be an isolated incident, but what occurred this past Friday at the 02 Arena in London is a microcosm of what this band — namely Axl Rose — has transformed into.

As he approached the ticket gate, James Revell was given a choice by the event staff to either a.) Remove his Slash t-shirt or b.) Go home. Not wanting to disappoint his younger brother who he was attending the show with, Revell complied with their absurd request.

He told NME, “I felt as though my freedom to wear what I want had been taken away from me. I did not react angrily as I didn’t want to spoil the show for my brother.”

When prodded for questioning, the O2 Arena staff confirmed the story and said, “We were told by management not to allow anyone in who is wearing a Slash t-shirt. We are asking anyone who is to remove it, and if they refuse they will be turned away.”

Really Axl? That’s how you roll?

Slash was as much a part of the success of Guns N’ Roses as Axl Rose was. As was Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.

For a band that had all the potential to be the biggest band in the world if they wanted to, Axl Rose has turned the “Guns N’ Roses” name into an embarrassment, a mockery, and a lesson to up-and-coming bands: “Don’t be like they are.”

Guns N’ Roses is like that bad parent who promises the world to their kids, only to let them down later. After 25+ years, GNR fans are sick and tired of being sold a false bill of goods and that frustration is starting to boil over exponentially on the British leg of their current tour.

In a March poll conducted by us here at WZLX.com, an overwhelming majority of you — 82% — said that if Guns N’ Roses didn’t reunite with the original lineup at April’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, then it would be Axl Rose’s fault.

In true Guns N’ Roses form, they didn’t reunite at the ceremony. Shocking, I know. Axl Rose didn’t even bother to show up, and he was booed heavily for it when his named was announced.

GNR fans buy tickets to shows, purchase t-shirts and other memorabilia, and idolize them like no other.

In return, they routinely start shows late and force fans to take off their Slash t-shirts, in fear that it might upset the almighty Axl.

Enough is enough.

You want your voice to be heard? Stop buying tickets to shows, stop purchasing their memorabilia, and stop idolizing them.

It’s not worth the disappointment.

Andrew Celani – WZLX.com