GN'R

Both parties did their bit to ramp up this hostile dichotomy: Rose reportedly threatening Cobain at the MTV Awards; Cobain publicly mocking GN'R for being "establishment rock'n'roll".

Never mind Nevermind, 1991 was all about Guns N' Roses 2011

The boos turned to cheers as they arrived onstage a mere 30 minutes late, but it soon became apparent this was GN'R in name only.

Leeds festival 2010 2010

According to a Wall Street Journal report Sunday, Chinese authorities have outlawed sales of the new GN'R release, citing the title of the album, "Chinese Democracy," as the principal reason.

David Flumenbaum: China Bans Democracy, Declares War on Guns N' Roses 2009

So when Guns N 'Roses announced last month that Chinese Democracy was finished and their label Geffen confirmed the album would be released November 24, GN'R fans finally could believe they would get to hear what' 80s rock god Axl Rose had been doing for the last 15 years -- and China is no different.

David Flumenbaum: China Bans Democracy, Declares War on Guns N' Roses 2009

However, Axl's new album was not completely unobtainable for Chinese GN'R fans.

David Flumenbaum: China Bans Democracy, Declares War on Guns N' Roses 2009

In fact, when Chinese network CCTV ranked the best rock bands of all time last year, GN'R took the #8 spot.

David Flumenbaum: China Bans Democracy, Declares War on Guns N' Roses 2009

Lucky for GN'R fans in China, and there are numerous Chinese websites dedicated to the band, most music listeners in China don't obtain albums in record stores or through legal internet sites anyway.

David Flumenbaum: China Bans Democracy, Declares War on Guns N' Roses 2009

Although GN'R definitely has to lose something, without Slash.

Archive 2008-11-01 juliette 2008

The others were IMHO replaceable, but GN'R without Saul Hudson is a bit like Gone With The Wind without Ashley - admittedly you haven't lost the main man, but something very, very important is missing from the bigger picture.

Archive 2008-11-01 juliette 2008

GN'R was unquestionably the finest band of my youth - and quite possibly ever.

Archive 2008-11-01 juliette 2008