STEVEN ADLER On Classic GUNS N' ROSES Lineup: AXL ROSE 'Doesn't Believe In Any Of Us'

John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently conducted an interview with former GUNS N' ROSES and current ADLER drummer Steven Adler. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Legendary Rock Interviews: Has it sunk in yet about the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame? I know you've been a rock star for a long time but was this induction something you ever even considered?

Steven: No, but it's like everything that we dreamed about and believed in and it's something I am proud to notch off on my belt. We accomplished every fuckin thing that I dreamed about doing, even the drugs. I wanted to do drugs. I mean, all of my idols did drugs, I'm only saying it because it's the truth. Most of my idols made albums, toured around the world, fucked girls, and yes, did drugs and drank too much. I did every single thing I wanted to do and got every single thing I wanted except I never wanted to get kicked out of GUNS N' ROSES. I always and still think we should be together like AEROSMITH or THE [ROLLING] STONES. We should have been a band that lasted 30 or 40 years like that; that's what my dream was. That part of the dream just didn't happen. First it was me, then Izzy, then Slash and Duff, but I still love those guys, even Axl; they're my brothers. We accomplished so many of our dreams and to be able to all be out there still working and creating and more than anything, anything to still have our connections with the fans. We are blessed.

Legendary Rock Interviews: [During a recent interview, Slash's longtime friend and author] Marc [Canter] was really hoping that Duff [McKagan] could somehow be the voice of reason and broker a meeting of the minds between Axl and Slash but he seems to think that it's all just one big misunderstanding.

Steven: Axl doesn't believe in any of us. I have a feeling if he would've shown up [at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame], it would only be to perform with his band of scabs. . . Those guys are great players, they're great performers, but they're not GUNS N' ROSES. They're just not. I just wanted the same thing all of the fans want, which is to show up and play together. It's only rock and roll. It's not that hard — just show up, put the fans first and be a rock and roll band, if only for their sake. It's the fucking least we could do after everything the fans have given us. The fans have given us our careers for all these years. The fans were there then and they're still the reason we can play music and have careers. They love the five of us and they'd still love us and I don't understand why he can't see that. I'm not saying this out of pride or whatever, I'm saying it because it's the truth. There is not one rock and roll band that the fans have wanted to see a reunion of more than GUNS N' ROSES. Duff is a smart, smart man. You would have hoped that he could do that, like Marc said, somehow make sense of it all to Izzy and Axl, but all I know is Axl and Izzy can still no-show if that's what they want, and by all indications that's the case. Maybe Slash, Duff and I can still play with a couple other guys and rock and roll. Hell, I will personally guarantee you that, if nothing else, I will go up onstage with my drums and play to a CD of "Appetite" because the fans deserve it. I can't speak for Izzy and Axl, but I love and respect the fans — GN'R has the best fans in the world, the most loyal and sweet fans in the world — and it would be a slap in the face to them to not do something. It's one thing to get inducted in the Hall Of Fame, but what I want, what I really want more than anything, is just the chance to finish what I started with those assholes. (laughs) I'd like to notch that off on my belt that we could get up on stage just once and finish what we fuckin started in that little studio in Silverlake.

Read the entire interview from Legendary Rock Interviews.