GUNS N' ROSES Biographer Says People Around GN'R Bandmembers Are 'Vile Leeches'

SoHood.com recently conducted an interview with Paul Stenning, author of the unauthorized GUNS N' ROSES biography "The Band That Time Forgot". A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow:

SoHood.com: What motivated you to write this book?

Paul: "GUNS N' ROSES have long been a favorite band of mind, ever since they first hit the U.K. in fact. I was given the opportunity to write the book after 5 years writing for various music magazines. It was a lucky break really as the publisher initially wanted a writer for a biography on CRADLE OF FILTH. Despite my metal allegiances I think COF suck so it was much better when the publisher changed his mind for a book on GUNS! Once the contract was signed I wanted to make sure I approached the book in terms of presenting a balanced view of the band, with as much about what they went through growing up as possible. In the past many books and magazines have been sold by simply featuring GN'R or Axl Rose and then stirring as much shit as possible. Not only is that not my style but I felt the true fans deserved better, so this is for them."

SoHood.com: How receptive were the other GUNS N’ ROSES members, when you reached out for interviews?

Paul: "Some were cool, I feel like I could have included interviews from existing members like Tommy Stinson as well as ex-members like Steven Adler and Gilby Clarke but I didn't want to just speak to some who were involved without getting a point of view from some major ex or current members. Basically when I realized I couldn't talk to Axl or Slash I decided to just include quotes rather than speak to them individually. So in answer to your question, they are not generally receptive and the people around them are vile leeches!"

SoHood.com: I know you tried to interview Axl Rose, but did you ever believe that it will happen? How close did you get?

Paul: "Very good question. I guess I came pretty close. I have his address and I sent him a copy of the book but never heard anything back. I didn't really expect anything because there are so many people around him trying to stop anyone getting close or causing problems for him. It might be that he never even got to see the book for himself. The reason I think that is because if he saw it and liked it I would have hoped he might get in touch with me, and if he had anything against it I might have heard from his lawyers."

Read the entire first part of the interview at SoHood.com.