Some things never change — and for Guns N’ Roses vocalist Axl Rose, that apparently includes the occasional onstage meltdown.
Guns N’ Roses‘ Saturday night gig in Buenos Aires got off to a rocky (and loud) start when Rose visibly lost his temper during the band’s opening number, “Welcome to the Jungle”. The second of two nights at Estadio Huracán, the show was meant to kick off the next leg of their Latin American tour… but then things got a little nuts.
Fan-shot footage quickly made its way online showing Rose marching up to the drum riser mid-song and kicking new drummer Isaac Carpenter‘s bass drum — not once, but twice. Moments later, he launched his microphone into the kit and stormed off, ripping off his leather jacket and telling the crowd, “So, I’ll just try and wing this!”
Whether the tantrum was sparked by tech issues or dissatisfaction with Carpenter‘s drumming remains unclear. The latter is already under scrutiny from fans, having only recently stepped in to replace longtime drummer Frank Ferrer earlier this year.
Rose‘s outburst marks a rare return to the kind of volatile behaviour that once defined Guns N’ Roses‘ live shows in their heyday. In recent years, the frontman has been relatively mellow, with the band pulling off one of rock’s most lucrative and surprisingly drama-free comeback tours.
Still, if Saturday night proved anything, it’s that the jungle isn’t always a fun place — especially if you’re behind the drum kit.
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