The media is very important for any band trying to gain stardom or continue to succeed in the music business. MTV, VH1 and late-night shows, among others, can make or break a band.
For some odd reason, the media likes to focus on one or two key members of the band, usually the front man. Soon, those special members of the band are getting far more attention than the rest of the band members, causing inflated egos and one of the worst things that can happen to a band: “lead-singer syndrome.” When this occurs, it is no longer a functioning band but basically a one-man show.
The Guns N’ Roses album, “Chinese Democracy,” which has been in the making since 1994 yet still hasn’t been released, is a perfect example of what could happen when a person’s ego goes out of control.
Back in 1994, Guns N’ Roses had just finished their 28-month world tour. Lead singer Axl Rose was receiving heavy media coverage because of his crazy antics, costumes and interviews. It seems that every story on Guns N’ Roses was an Axl Rose story. Before you knew it, he was becoming more and more controlling and egotistical by the day, and why not? The media wanted him the most, not the other, more laid-back members of the band.
Guns N’ Roses soon became Axl’s band. If you disagreed with him in any way, you were kicked out of the band. Throughout the ’90s, Axl slowly alienated himself, buying the rights to Guns N’ Roses, kicking out all of the remaining original members of the band and attempted to do “Chinese Democracy” project himself.
He brought in all sorts of replacement musicians that have come and gone. They were smart not to hang around for an album that would never come out.
Axl must realize that Guns N’ Roses was a band, not a one-man show. Sure, Axl wrote many of the songs, but without Slash, Izzy or Duff, there is no Guns N’ Roses. The media inflated his ego to unrealistic levels and he thought he could do it all himself. But look at what that caused.
The current Guns N’ Roses, whoever they may be, is just a memory of something that was great. Whatever slapstick band lineup, Axl will never be Guns N’ Roses even if the name carries on. Maybe that is why Axl keeps postponing the record. He is afraid of the feedback he will receive.
In my opinion, this is only partially the media’s fault. Every band has a leader. That leader is the one who has the interviews and tells them what is going on with the band. Usually, they have the most talent in the band. Therefore, they appeal to fans the most.
The media is simply doing its job by supplying information to the viewer; what the viewer wants is what the viewer will receive.
Maybe the other low-key members are just in it for the music, not to become a rock star and a celebrity. But especially in today’s media, the coverage will keep increasing on these particular members. It is up to the person if he or she wants to go down the egotistical road of lead singer syndrome or be humble and remember that he or she would not be where they are without the other members of the band.
“Chinese Democracy” is an unfortunate example that stands for something evil. It stands as the demise of one the best rock bands of all time, and it shows how a lead singer’s ego can ruin something special.
It stands for lies, delays and false hope. Lead singer syndrome needs to stop. It has been ruining bands left and right for years. The lead singer needs the guitarist, just as the guitarist needs the bassist and as the bassist needs the drummer.
A band needs to function as a band, with respect and contributions from each member. Any band that fails to recognize that is not a band at all, but just pure ego and greed.
So if and when “Chinese Democracy” comes out, will anyone even care?
Daniel Macri is a junior film major.
