Watch Axl Rose’s explosive outburst at a crowd in Argentina: Don’t hesitate to take action if you see anyone misbehaving
If there’s one thing that can be said about Guns N’ Roses, it’s that they never fail to bring the drama, both on and off the stage. Back in late 1992, the iconic rock band was wrapping up their Use Your Illusion tour with shows in South America. However, things didn’t go as smoothly as planned, with incidents of violence and controversy following them every step of the way.
During their time in South America, Guns N’ Roses faced their fair share of challenges. In Santiago, Chile, 178 fans were arrested at the National Stadium after getting unruly when the show started late. In Bogota, Colombia, 20 policemen were injured during their performance. Even the President of Argentina at the time, Carlos Ménem, referred to the band as “outlaws” and expressed concerns about the impact their music could have on the youth of the country.
Local media outlets in Buenos Aires added fuel to the fire by reporting that frontman Axl Rose had allegedly burned an Argentine flag. The Archbishop of Buenos Aires even suggested that the band members were in need of psychological therapy. Despite the controversy and opposition, Guns N’ Roses went ahead with their scheduled shows at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.
During the first show on December 5, Axl had to interrupt the performance multiple times to address the crowd’s unruly behavior. Through a local translator, he conveyed his frustration at the audience members who were throwing things on stage, emphasizing that it wouldn’t lead to a better show. Axl even went as far as instructing the crowd to take action against anyone seen throwing objects.
Despite the challenges faced during their South American tour, Guns N’ Roses didn’t let that deter them from returning to River Plate in the following years. In subsequent visits in 1993 and 2016, the band continued to attract attention, with fans breaking through barriers and engaging in skirmishes with security personnel to gain a better vantage point of the stage.
It’s clear that wherever Guns N’ Roses goes, controversy and excitement are sure to follow. Their tumultuous journey through South America in 1992 serves as a testament to their enduring rock ‘n’ roll spirit and the passionate reactions their music elicits from fans around the world.
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