Dear Axl -- This is the most relevant you've been since the mid-90's.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Guns N’ Roses Fans and Whom It May
Concern,

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.

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.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.

Under the circumstances I feel we’ve been polite, courteous, and open to
an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out. Taking
into consideration the history of Guns N’ Roses, those who plan to attend
along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include
in “our” induction (that for the record are decisions I don’t agree with,
support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy
task) those involved with the Hall have handled things… no offense meant
to anyone but the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn’t appear to be
somewhere I’m actually wanted or respected.For the record, I would not
begrudge anyone from Guns their accomplishments or recognition for such.
Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the
Hall Of Fame. It’s their show not mine.

That said, I won’t be attending The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction
2012 Ceremony and I respectfully decline my induction as a member of Guns
N’ Roses to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.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”.

This decision is personal. This letter is to help clarify things from my
and my camp’s perspective. Neither is meant to offend, attack or condemn.
Though unfortunately I’m sure there will be those who take offense (God
knows how long I’ll have to contend with the fallout), I certainly don’t
intend to disappoint anyone, especially the fans, with this decision.
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.In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or
Illusion lineups, I’ve publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing’s
changed.

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.Izzy came
out with us a few times back in '06 and I invited him to join us at our LA
Forum show last year. Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in
'06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded
with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned.
Duff joined us in 2010 and again in '11 along with his band, Loaded,
opening in Seattle and Vancouver. For me, with the exception of Izzy or
Duff joining us on stage if they were so inclined somewhere in the future
for a song or two, that's enough.

There's a seemingly endless amount of revisionism and fantasies out there
for the sake of self-promotion and business opportunities masking the
actual realities. Until every single one of those generating from or
originating with the earlier lineups has been brought out in the light,
there isn't room to consider a conversation let alone a reunion.

Maybe if it were you it'd be different. Maybe you'd do it for this reason
or that. Peace, whatever. I love our band now. We're there for each other
when the going get's rough. We love our fans and work to give them every
ounce of energy and heart we can.

So let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move
on. People get divorced. Life doesn't owe you your own personal happy
ending especially at another's, or in this case several others',
expense.But hey if ya gotta then maybe we can get the "no show,
grandstanding, publicity stunt, disrespectful, he doesn't care about the
fans" crap out of the way as quickly as we can and let's move on. No one's
taking the ball and going home. Don't get it twisted. For more than a
decade and a half we've endured the double standards, the greed of this
industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and
unscrupulous, irresponsible media types. Not to imply anything in this
particular circumstance, but from my perspective in regard to both the
Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court.

In closing, regardless of this decision and as hard to believe or as
ironic as it may seem, I'd like to sincerely thank the board for their
nomination and their votes for Guns' induction. More importantly I'd like
to thank the fans for being there over the years, making any success we've
had possible and for enjoying and supporting Guns N' Roses music.I wish
the Hall a great show, congratulations to all the other artists being
inducted and to our fans we look forward to seeing you on tour!!

Sincerely,Axl Rose
P.S. RIP Armand, Long Live ABC III