Guest Judge Of This Week's Junction Photo Challenge - Child Portrait Contest

I've been asked by the super kind folks at Junction Photo Challenge to be the guest judge of their children's portrait contest. The entries were from all over the world. Some were good, some not so good, but it's great to be able to see the wide range of styles. My criteria is composition, lighting, expression, and creativity. Here's a collage of my top 10.

Axl Rose responds to the HOF induction on Twitter

To: Cleveland, Ohio, Guns N' Roses Fans and everyone who's shown support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.



I seriously didn't plan on or expect the overwhelmingly positive response and public support for my decision regarding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. With such a generous outpouring of solidarity from fans, media outlets, writers and other artists, I'm truly humbled, blown away and unbelievably relieved! To be honest, I thought it would go the other way and was just hoping to weather the storm. As I said, I sincerely didn't want to disappoint anyone. It gets old being the outlaw even if "it's only rock and roll".



It took a lot of focus and soul searching to be sincere and informative while making a genuine effort to be somewhat diplomatic. We made, what I feel, are real efforts to learn about the Hall and the Board, spoke as I said with the president and various members, and though I inducted Elton John and Bernie Taupin in '94 saying something to the effect of "I'm learning what the Hall's about..."



I still don't exactly know or understand what the Hall is or how or why it makes money, where the money goes, who chooses the voters and why anyone or this board decides who, out of all the artists in the world that have contributed to this genre, officially "rock" enough to be in the Hall?



This isn't an attack. These are genuine issues I don't have enough verified information on to have more than rough ideas. Certainly not enough information to make any judgments about.



I would like to apologize to Cleveland, Ohio for not apologizing to them beforehand for not attending [the ceremony] in their city. I think they know how much I genuinely love performing there. Cleveland does in fact Rock!!





Now that the smoke's cleared a little, any desperate, misguided attacks have been just that, a pathetic stab at gossip, some lame vindictiveness, the usual entitlement crap, he's obsessed, crazy, volatile, a hater. I once bought a homeless woman a slice of pizza who yelled at me she wanted soup. We got her the soup. You can get your own.



Again: HUGE thanks to the fans and to everyone for the incredible public support. My congratulations to the other artists inducted. And my apologies to the city and people of Cleveland, Ohio. I hope you'll forgive me and we hope to see you again soon!



Keep Rockin',



Axl





Unlike my open letter to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern this was written for GNR's official website, Facebook account and my personal twitter account and not intended as a press release. If anyone does choose to pick this up as has been done previously I'd appreciate if you'd run in full including this paragraph so as not to give a partial picture, have things taken out of context or to imply or inadvertently give the impression this was intended for other outlets.



Thanks in advance. Peace-

Matt Sorum’s Open Letter on why he attended the HOF

 “Dear Friends and Fans of Guns N’ Roses,



 I am releasing this statement to bring closure to the night’s events at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, and to all things Guns N’ Roses. This will alleviate numerous press statements and interviews about the subject, which I have already addressed on my Twitter.



 In these last few months since getting notice about being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, many emotions and feelings have gone through my head and heart, as well as the original five members of GN'R: Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven. I was also chosen to be inducted, along with Dizzy Reed.



 It was slightly awkward for me in some ways knowing some fans have the original five in their hearts for a reunion. I chose to say to Slash and Duff, ‘Please have Steven play, and let me know what you would like me to do.’



Two days before the event. Axl made his statement known. And it was apparent he wouldn't be attending. In respect to him, that is his decision and should be honored. Also, Izzy declined. So I suggested Slash call Gilby, who was left out of the proceedings. Gilby was a member of the band and contributing to the ‘Use Your Illusions’ World Tour, which took us around the globe for three years, as well as playing guitar on ‘Spaghetti Incident’ and ‘The Live Era’ albums. It felt like the right thing to do.



 In fairness to the rest of the original line-up and myself, we decided to go ahead and attend. This is an honor that is once in a lifetime and couldn't be missed, especially for fans of the band. To us, it was honoring them as well. Regarding playing live, we agreed that we would share the stage together, joined by Myles Kennedy as guest singer, who did a fine job filling big shoes. Steven graciously offered ‘Brownstone’ and played two other ‘Appetite’ tracks, and I sang and joined him near the kit on ‘Paradise City.’



It felt perfect for all involved.



In my speech, I made references to drugs and Steven being dismissed from the band, in which I referred to, "How could someone be fired from Guns N’ Roses for doing too many drugs??" 




It was meant to be light-hearted. But knowing the struggles Steven has endured all these years. I felt I needed to clarify that Steven was onstage, healthy, and ready to rock.



It is well known that the rest of the band has endured addiction and alcoholism and at this point in our lives, we are all healthy and sober



Not to make light of drugs and alcohol…we were all full-blown addicts when the band split. What started out as a party and what we believed was part of the makeup of the band turned on all of us in the end. 




Many years of soul searching and reconnecting with our inner selves have brought glorious gifts: Velvet Revolver with millions of records sold and a Grammy, Steven with his new band, and more. We are now all playing music and making records on our own that is truly what we love, before any of the business of music came into play. The music has always been the passion, before anything else.



Stevens’s passion for GN’R is something that no one can explain but him: it’s a true love gone, but never forgotten. How many people have felt that in their lifetime?



I told Steven and the rest of the guys the night of the Induction that night was for them and what they created on the streets of Hollywood, and it can never be taken away.



The music will live on. And that's what counts. Not about who was there at the Induction. That the music will always be theirs and no can ever take that away.



Also, I have much respect for my former band, The Cult. And all the musicians I have played with over the years. They have all taught me so much.



I also need to thank my dearest and closest confidante, Ace Harper, who is my fiancée' and has made me a better man. She has walked beside in times of darkness, and has been there for me when all the stage lights and backstage parties were over.



This is where life is for all of us now survivors of a Rock & Roll era you will never see the likes of again: Married men Slash with two wonderful boys, Duff with two beautiful girls, Steven happy with a beautiful wife.



Life is good, my friends…we are alive! God Bless the fans of GN'R. 




Long Live Rock N Roll,



Matt Sorum



(GN’R: “Use Your Illusion 1 and 2,” “The Spaghetti Incident,” “The Live Era)

Spring Portrait Beauty in Central Park

More Great Rolling Stone Coverage - Radiohead Two Page Spread

Radiohead is currently headlining Coachella, Bonnaroo, Fuji Rock Festival while out on the road this spring and summer. Included in their coverage of the current world tour, Rolling Stone used one of my full band photographs from their stealth shows last September for their feature story on the band. For anyone who has not picked up "King of Limbs" yet, get it - it's amazing.

RHCP with Slash, Ronnie Wood, George Clinton, Billie Joe Armstrong & Kenney Jones

Eden's Spring Garden

When it comes to a father expressing the love of his daughter through photographs, it's hard to top this. Eden is my best subject (and she knows it) We went on a bike ride together along the Schuylkill River in Philly this weekend and stopped along the way at each gorgeous bloom that spring 2012 had to offer. My Edy and I make a pretty good team :)

More Photo & Video from the Rock Hall

Complete setlist, audio, photos and updates here.

Rock Hall 2012 Updates

FINAL SETLIST:
Mr. Brownstone (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Sorum)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Adler)
Paradise City (Kennedy, Slash, McKagan, Clarke, Adler, Sorum)


UPDATES HERE