GN'R arrive in Sydney
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/axl-rose-landed-in-sydney-this-morning-for-the-australian-leg-of-the-guns-n-roses-tour/story-e6frfmqr-1225963886057Gunners ready to rock Reid Park
BARBARA LYNCH | December 1st, 2010
A POLICE escort and a guarantee of no red lights should ensure Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose is delivered from his hotel to the stage on time for his show tonight
Rose was expected to arrive in Townsville late yesterday ahead of one of the biggest rock concerts North Queenslanders have seen this year.
Promoter Andrew McManus, who inspected the Reid Park site yesterday, said everything was organised to ensure Rose arrived on time and Guns N' Roses hit the stage at 8.30pm in front of an expected crowd of 15,000 people.
``He'll be on stage on time,'' McManus guaranteed.
``The brilliance of the guy on stage means everyone will forget if he was five minutes late, which he won't be.''
The American band's worldwide manager Doc McGhee said Rose had never missed a show and didn't plan on starting now.
Fellow band members Dizzy Reed and DJ Ashba took a quick media call yesterday before they set off to explore Townsville.
``We've been looking forward to the Australian tour for a long time,'' DJ Ashba said.
``It's going to be fun and I can't wait to get out there and play a lot of the new album and the old stuff as well.''
Chinese Democracy is the band's latest album.
DJ Ashba said Townsville was a beautiful place and he wanted to go scuba diving.
Reed said it didn't matter if Guns N' Roses played in front of 50 people or 100,000 people, the show would still be the same.
``It's quality rock 'n roll music and there will be good times all round,'' he promised.
Tickets were still available to tonight's show and Reed encouraged everyone to go.
``Don't be that fool who doesn't go to the show,'' he said.
Reed said Australians had embraced their music more than Americans had.
``We've been received very well,'' he said.
McManus said it had taken a week to set up the stage, which came from Korea and 35 trucks carried the equipment.
It takes more than 250 people to run a production like this from the truck drivers to roadies, cleaners and stage crew.
The band plays the V8 Supercar Championships in Sydney on Saturday and Adelaide on Tuesday.
Guns N' Roses play at Reid Park tonight. Gates open at 4pm. Shihad play at 5.50pm, KoRn 7pm and Guns N' Roses 8.30pm. Tickets still available and range from $110-$200 plus booking fees. Phone 4727 9797 or they're available at the door.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/12/01/188725_hpphoto.html
