Axl Rose will be not be attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday.
The Guns N' Roses co-founder made the announcement in an open letter Wednesday, obtained by Us Weekly. "When the nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were first announced I had mixed emotions but, in an effort to be positive, wanting to make the most of things for the fans and with their enthusiasm, I was honored, excited and hoped that somehow this would be a good thing," Rose wrote. "Of course I realized as things stood, if Guns N' Roses were to be inducted it'd be somewhat of a complicated or awkward situation."
He added: "Since then we've listened to fans, talked with members of the board of the Hall of Fame, communicated with and read various public comments and jabs from former members of Guns N' Roses, had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame, read various press (some legit, some contrived) and read other artists' comments weighing in publicly on Guns and the Hall with their thoughts."
Rose, 50, feels he has "been polite, courteous and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out," but he cannot bring himself to appear Saturday.
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"I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns N' Roses to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he wrote. "I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf. Neither former members, label representatives nor the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame should imply whether directly, indirectly or by omission that I am included in any purported induction of Guns N' Roses."
The last-minute decision weighed heavily on Rose's mind. "I certainly don't intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this," he wrote. "Since the announcement of the nomination we've actively sought out a solution to what, with all things considered, appears to be a no win, at least for me, 'damned if I do, damned if I don't' scenario all the way around."
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He later wrote: "The only reason, at this point, under the circumstances, in my opinion whether under the guise of 'for the fans' or whatever justification of the moment, for anyone to continue to ask, suggest or demand a reunion are misguided attempts to distract from our efforts with our current lineup of myself, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus, Chris Pitman, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and DJ Ashba."
Despite not wanting to participate, Rose thanked "the board for their nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. . .I wish the Hall a great show, and congratulations to all the other artists being inducted. And to our fans, we look forward to seeing you on tour!"
