Axl Rose at 51: Not the Jerk You Might Think He is?

First, Axl celebrates his birthday today, born on February 6, 1962 in Lafayette, Indiana.

He's the only remaining original member of Guns N' Roses, and let's face it, most of us think of Axl as rude and self-centered.

But he's not the jerk he’s portrayed as in the media, or so says his guitarist, DJ Ashba.

According to ultimateclasssicrock.com:

“One thing people don’t seem to get is that he’s genuinely funny and he’s always joking around and telling stories to make people laugh,” Ashba told Yahoo News. “I always say that if he wasn’t a musician he’d be a great comedian. I wish the world could see that side of him because it’s the opposite of what people have branded in their brains.”

That brand is a result of year’s worth of public tardiness, sulking and perceived bickering with former GNR bandmates. “I think a lot of people and the press try to blow it up and say he’s an a–hole but everyone can be an a–hole if you get them on the wrong day,” Ashba says, before adding Rose treats his band “like gold,” allowing them to share the spotlight and write their own solos.

As far as their lack of punctuality, the 40-year old says it’s a result of a complicated touring stage. “We have a huge rig and pyrotechnics so often it’s the case of fitting all that into the venue. Our number one priority is to make the shows safe.”

As far as getting on the stage on time, Axl's gonna need to hustle when G N' R tour Australia in March, at least when they perform in Sydney, according to news.com.au:

"The Sidney Myer Music Bowl has a strict curfew of 11pm to pacify neighbors who have complained about noise from previous events.

Rose would need to be on stage by 9pm - which has been a challenge for him in the past, often leaving fans waiting for up to three hours.

On previous tours of Australia, promoters have pre-paid late fees at indoor venues where Rose would regularly come on stage at 11pm or even midnight."

Don't be an a-hole, Axl, get there on time and prove your guitarist right. :-D