GUNS N' ROSES Cuts Abu Dhabi Concert Short After AXL ROSE Becomes 'Severely Ill'

November 25, 2018

GUNS N' ROSES played an abbreviated in the United Arab Emirates Sunday night (November 25) after frontman Axl Rose became "severely ill."

Rose and his bandmates performed almost 20 songs in Abu Dhabi before cutting the show short.

The singer addressed his medical condition at one point during the concert, telling the crowd (see video below): "They've got me on IVs and a bunch of injections, 'cause I got sick today, I've been throwing up for about the last five hours. So, instead of canceling, I'm gonna do the best show we can for you."

Bassist Duff McKagan later tweeted: "Thank you Abu Dhabi! @axlrose pulled a damn miracle…the man was beyond ill, and pulled off something I've never seen in my 40 yrs of playing. You all pulled him thru. Til next time!"

Guitarist Slash wrote on his Twitter account: "Abu Dhabi, you guys were fucking great tonight! Axl was severely ill. But you all were hugely supportive. Thanks for that. We'll see again next time! Cheers!"

Not everybody was satisfied with Axl's explanation, with one fan responding to McKagan's tweet: "Shame you only played about 10 songs, disgrace."

Another fan wrote: "Shouldve stayed in his sick bed! How many hits!? and 1 1/2 hours to play Sweet Child & then Eric Clapton!! Glad I didn't pay otherwise I'd be asking for a refund!! @gunsnroses."

A third fan said: "So that's how you end a tour @Slash @DuffMcKagan @axlrose @gunsnroses ? No patience, night train or paradise city? Disappointed! And you played so well!"

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix special closed the Asian leg of GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" tour that has now lasted almost three years. According to The National, the gig was the 157th night of a 31-month jaunt, which went around the world twice, played to five million people and is on track to be the second highest-grossing tour of all time — overtaking even THE ROLLING STONES. Only U2 has grossed more from a single tour than GN'R's projected earnings of $600 million.

Three-fifths of the classic GUNS lineup reunited in 2016 after last performing together more than two decades earlier.

Joining singer Rose, Slash and McKagan on the "Not In This Lifetime" trek are drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

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