Guns N’ Roses’ frontman Axl Rose set out to perform yet another phenomenal show for the Abu Dhabi crowd on Sunday night, yet his sickness and health ended up making a surprise appearance. According to Consequence of Sound, Rose warned audience members at the Du Arena in the United Arab Emirates that he had gotten sick earlier that day, but wanted to persevere through it for his fans. “They’ve got me on IVs and a bunch of injections, because I got sick today. I’ve been throwing up for the last five hours. Instead of canceling, we’re going to do the best show we can for you,” Rose told the crowd.
Guns N’ Roses were able to perform a total of 17 songs for the crowd before Rose had to call it quits and take care of himself. The concert was cut short after performing for nearly two hours, a difference from their usual three hour-long sessions.
After the concert was over, some of the members went on Twitter to thank the crowd and address Rose’s performance. Guitarist Slash tweeted out, “Abu Dhabi, you guys were fucking great tonight! Axl was severely ill. But you all were hugely supportive. Thanks for that. We’ll see again next time! Cheers!”
Abu Dhabi, you guys were fucking great tonight! Axl was severely ill. But you all were hugely supportive. Thanks for that. We'll see again next time! Cheers! iiii]; ) '
— Slash (@Slash) November 25, 2018
Along with bassist Duff McKagan applauding his fellow band member, tweeting, “Thank you Abu Dhabi! @axlrose pulled a damn miracle… the man was beyond ill, and pulled off something I’ve never seen in my 40 yrs of playing. You all pulled him thru. Til next time!”
Thank you Abu Dhabi! @axlrose pulled a damn miracle…the man was beyond ill, and pulled off something I've never seen in my 40 yrs of playing. You all pulled him thru. Til next time!
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) November 25, 2018
Rose also took the time to acknowledge and lightheartedly joke about the whole performance, tweeting, “Wanna thank All the fans, the band n’ every1 4 their concern n’ well wishes! In Johannesburg w/plenty of time 2 b ready 4 the show! This flu or whatever is a wild ride! Comes in waves. Ur ok till ur not!”
Wanna thank All the fans, the band n’ every1 4 their concern n’ well wishes! In Johannesburg w/plenty of time 2 b ready 4 the show!This flu or whatever is a wild ride! Comes in waves. Ur ok till ur not! pic.twitter.com/gfbLR7YemW
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 27, 2018
This legendary rock band has experienced their fair shares of ups and downs since debuting in 1985, with band members entering and exiting and new music being stalled for years. It wasn’t until two years ago that Rose, Slash and McKagan, the original members of the band, reunited and decided to give their long-term and new fans a reunion tour they’d never forget. The Not In This Lifetime Tour began as only a North American leg in June 2016, but since then, the tour has expanded to legs in South America, Asia and even Europe.
And it doesn’t look like Guns N’ Roses expects to slow down anytime soon. The band still has two dates left for the 2018 portion of the tour. This includes a show in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 29th, and a concert in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 8th. As long as Rose doesn’t manage to overexert himself, the band will continue to bring crowds together for a night they won’t forget.