Editing Chinese Democracy (section)

==Background==
[[File:AxlRose.jpg|thumb|Vocalist [[Axl Rose]] was the main creative force behind the album.]]
In September 1991, Guns N' Roses released the albums ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II]]'', which have sold a combined 35 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.triplem.com.au/story/11-facts-you-didn-t-know-about-gnrs-use-your-illusion-albums-12997 |title=Ask Billboard: Battle Of The Rock Bands, Part 2 |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=March 19, 2010 |website=[[Billboard.com]] |access-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613090842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/958919/ask-billboard-battle-of-the-rock-bands-part-2 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 1991, during the [[Use Your Illusion Tour]],<ref name="UYI">{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history93.php|title=The History of Guns N' Roses: The Shocking Truth: 1993|first=Jarmo|last=Luukkonen|work=heretodaygonetohell.com|access-date=April 25, 2015}}</ref> rhythm guitarist and founding member [[Izzy Stradlin]] abruptly left the band, citing touring exhaustion and conflicts with his bandmates.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Izzy Stradlin interview with ''Musician Magazine''|year=1992|journal=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]|publisher=Billboard Publications Inc.}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Gilby Clarke]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.easyreadernews.com/gilby-clarke-rides-again/|title=Gilby Clarke rides again|first=Mark|last=McDermott|date=May 26, 2010|work=Easy Reader News|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730115948/https://www.easyreadernews.com/gilby-clarke-rides-again/|archive-date=July 30, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 1993, Guns N' Roses released ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'', an album of covers of mostly [[glam rock]] and [[punk rock]] songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-spaghetti-incident-19931209|title=Rolling Stone The Spaghetti Incident? review|last1=Gold|first1=Jonathan|date=December 9, 1993|website=Rollingstone.com|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722010723/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-spaghetti-incident-19931209|archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref> Though it was certified platinum in 1994,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212231947/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|archive-date=February 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> it sold significantly less than their previous releases,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut-266167/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[billboard.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122142056/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/kanye-edges-gnr-ludacris-for-no-1-debut-1003918838.story |archive-date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2010 }}</ref> and the band did not tour in support of the album.<ref name="LOUDSPAG">{{Cite web |title=27 Years Ago: Guns N' Roses Release 'The Spaghetti Incident?' |author=Jon Wiederhorn |work=Loudwire |date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |url= https://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-the-spaghetti-incident-anniversary/ |quote=}}</ref>

Guns N' Roses began writing and recording new music in 1994.<ref name="Sorum96">{{cite magazine |date=1996 |title= Interview with Matt Sorum|url=http://qfg.info/misc/mattsorum96.txt |url-status= dead|magazine=Hard Rock |location=France |archive-url=https://archive.today/20020728093917/http://qfg.info/misc/mattsorum96.txt |archive-date=July 28, 2002 |access-date=May 8, 2018 }}</ref> However, bassist [[Duff McKagan]] said the band "was so stoned at that point that nothing got finished".<ref name="time off">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeoff.com.au/index.php?area=Interviews&pg=38&subarea=38&sel=6127&PHPSESSID=b1255c323c0977e85e64fe287a9f7654= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113250/http://www.timeoff.com.au/index.php?area=Interviews&pg=38&subarea=38&sel=6127&PHPSESSID=b1255c323c0977e85e64fe287a9f7654%3D |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |title=Armed to the Teeth |work=Time Off |last=Condon|first=Dan |date=March 6, 2005 |access-date=November 17, 2007 }}</ref> Guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] accused singer [[Axl Rose]] of running the band "like a dictatorship".<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html|title=The Most Expensive Album Never Made|last1=Leeds|first1=Jeff|date=March 6, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329092655/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html?mtrref=web.archive.org&mtrref=web.archive.org|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose said the material was scrapped because the band was unable to collaborate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|title=GN'R press release with Axl interview|date=August 14, 2002|last=James|first=Del|author-link=Del James|work=GNRonline.com|access-date=May 16, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014050/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref>

In 1994, Clarke was replaced by Rose's childhood friend and [[Hollywood Rose]] collaborator [[Paul Tobias]].<ref name="symph">{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=125|title=Four Bust-ups And A Single!|date=November 1994|work=[[Raw (music magazine)|RAW]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317020545/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=125|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> Around this time, Rose became "obsessed" with [[electronica]] and [[industrial rock]], particularly the work of [[Nine Inch Nails]], and wanted Guns N' Roses to move towards a more contemporary musical direction.<ref name="WAR2">{{cite book|first=Mick|last=Wall|title=W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyM2nd4ZswwC&pg=PA355|date=5 February 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4299-2884-7|page=263}}</ref> Other members did not agree, causing a rift.<ref name="WAR2"/> In early 1995 guitarist [[Zakk Wylde]] was brought in to audition as a second guitarist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/zakk-guns-and-roses-0105-2012.aspx|title=What Could Have Been: Zakk Wylde Talks Guns N' Roses|last=Hodgson|first=Peter|date=January 5, 2012|publisher=gibson.com|work=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423045023/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/zakk-guns-and-roses-0105-2012.aspx|archive-date=April 23, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=May 19, 2014|quote="It could have been one of the most interesting heavy music collaborations in rock history: Zakk Wylde as a member of Guns N' Roses&nbsp;... And it very nearly happened in the mid-1990s"|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Spin 1999">{{cite magazine|last=Spitz|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Spitz|date=July 1999|title=What the World Needs Now is Axl Rose: The Unauthorized Saga of Rock's Greatest Recluse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I5x8l8IaNUMC&pg=PA93|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=New York City|publisher=[[SpinMedia]]|volume=15|pages=80–93|issn=0886-3032|access-date=March 29, 2018|number=7}}</ref> Slash left in 1996 following creative differences with Rose and personal problems with Tobias.<ref name="slash autobiography">{{cite book |author1=[[Slash (musician)|Slash]]|author2=[[Anthony Bozza|Bozza, Anthony]]|date=October 29, 2007 |title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|page=397 |isbn=978-0-06-135142-6 |chapter=12: Breakdown}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=6|title=The Guns 'N Roses Report|date=January 13, 1997|work=[[Addicted to Noise]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061605/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=6|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> Slash was replaced in January 1997 by former Nine Inch Nails touring guitarist [[Robin Finck]].<ref name="GOCLINK">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/|title=Guns Go Clink|date=May 22, 1997|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|quote="sources say former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck will be the new primary axe-slinger. Finck is said to be replacing Slash who left the band last year over creative differences"|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060815/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 1997, electronic producer [[Moby]] entered talks to produce and worked with the band for a few months;<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 18, 1997 |title=Moby And Axl Rose: Producing Pals? |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429822/moby-and-axl-rose-producing-pals/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815201618/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429822/moby-and-axl-rose-producing-pals/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> he said: "They're writing with a lot of [[Loop (music)|loops]], and believe it or not, they're doing it better than anybody I've heard lately."<ref name="fiveyears">{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2013 |title=GN'R's Chinese Democracy five years on |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/features/chinese-democracy-five-years-on/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126073244/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/features/chinese-democracy-five-years-on/ |archive-date=November 26, 2013 |work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]}}</ref> Moby's relationship with Rose soured when he asked about recording vocals, Moby said "I asked the question I'm never supposed to ask. I asked, 'Oh, this is great, but where are the vocals?'. And everyone got very uncomfortable. They've been working on the record for six years and they hadn't done any vocals.".<ref name="moby">{{cite news |last=jomatami |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/moby_talks_gnr_hiring_him_to_produce_chinese_democracy__how_he_angered_axl_with_question_he_was_never_supposed_to_ask.html |title=Moby Talks GN'R Hiring Him to Produce 'Chinese Democracy' & How He Angered Axl With Question He Was Never Supposed to Ask |work=Ultimate Guitar, SiriusXM |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> He later stated "'Look, I'm not a producer. I can make my own records, but I've never produced a rock band in my life. And I just didn't think that my first job as a rock producer should be producing Guns N' Roses."<ref name="moby"/> Moby soon pulled out to focus on his solo work.<ref name="TAKESTIME">{{Cite magazine |date=February 20, 1998 |title=Axl Rose takes his time |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=44 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Longtime Guns N' Roses producer [[Mike Clink]] is also reported to have been in talks to work on the album that year.<ref name="Clink">{{cite web |date=May 22, 1997 |title=Guns Go Clink |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630060815/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429816/guns-go-clink/ |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2015 |work=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> [[Scott Litt]], [[Steve Lillywhite]], and [[Mark Bell (British musician)|Mark Bell]] were all considered as producers.<ref name="GOCLINK" /><ref name="TAKESTIME" />

In April 1997, drummer [[Matt Sorum]] was fired after an argument with Rose about Tobias's inclusion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harkness |first=Geoff |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Seven Questions with Matt Sorum of The Cult |work=[[Lawrence Journal-World]] |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002401/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/ |archive-date=September 14, 2008}}</ref> In April 1997, professional basketball player and rapper [[Shaquille O'Neal]] jammed with Reed, Tobias and studio drummer Sidd Riggs, saying "I saw Guns N'Roses listed on the bulletin board in the lobby of the studio so I stuck my head in to check it out.They asked me to join them, so I started freestyling. Rose downplayed it as a serious collaboration, saying, "I've never met the man. He goofed around with Paul and Diz and it went from there."<reF>[https://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?pid=54761#p54761 1997: Chinese Whispers / 1997 / GNR Evolution: Wazzup?]</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Magnotta |first=Andrew |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-11-28-shaq-jammed-with-guns-n-roses-during-chinese-democracy-sessions/ |title=Shaq Jammed With Guns N' Roses During 'Chinese Democracy' Sessions |work=iHeartRadio |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> Former Nine Inch Nails touring drummer [[Chris Vrenna]] was brought in to audition for several months, and the tentative lineup was Rose, McKagan, Tobias, Finck, Vrenna and keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=11|title=Rolling Stone Random Daily Notes: Appetite for Deconstruction|date=April 4, 1997|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505061200/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=11|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> Vrenna said of his time "When I was there, Moby was going to produce. Axl didn't come in very often... So sometimes we jammed. Sometimes me and Moby just sat and drank coffee and talked about music. Moby was rad."<ref name="vrenna">{{cite news |last=Wake |first=Matt |url=https://www.al.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/2b578ecb8a5013/why-is-nine-inch-nails-marilyn.html |title=Why is Nine Inch Nails' ex-drummer teaching college in Alabama? |work=Al.com |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=May 24, 2025 }}</ref> Vrenna left and multiple drummers auditioned, including Riggs,<ref>{{cite web |last=Elias |first=Paul |date=July 18, 1995 |title=Drunk-Driving Case Puts Rocker on Trial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-18-me-25277-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419193156/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-18/local/me-25277_1_drunk-driving |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |publisher=[[Ross Levinsohn]] |via=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kleid |first=Beth |date=July 24, 1995 |title= MOVIES - July 24, 1995 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-24-ca-27261-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419194034/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-24/entertainment/ca-27261_1_stallone-s-movie |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |publisher=[[Ross Levinsohn]] |via=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> [[Dave Abbruzzese]],<ref name="GOCLINK"/> [[Michael Bland]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2006/08/michael-bland-2/|title=Michael Bland|last=Amendola|first=Billy|date=August 1, 2006|work=Modern Drummer Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319101103/https://www.moderndrummer.com/2006/08/michael-bland-2/|archive-date=March 19, 2018|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> and [[Joey Castillo]].<ref name="vrenna"/> Eventually [[Josh Freese]] ([[The Vandals]], [[Devo]]) was hired as the full-time drummer in mid-1997.<ref name="99his">{{cite web|title=The History of GN'R: The Shocking Truth 1996–99|publisher=HereTodayGoneToHell.com|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history9699.php|access-date=July 2, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618040859/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/history/history9699.php|archive-date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> Freese was inspired to join when Rose wanted him to contribute to songwriting, atypical for his experiences as a drummer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/josh_freese_reveals_why_working_with_axl_rose_on_chinese_democracy_was_different_from_doing_sessions_for_other_a-listers.html|title=Josh Freese Reveals Why Working With Axl Rose on 'Chinese Democracy' Was Different From Doing Sessions for Other A-Listers|website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}}</ref>

McKagan, who had recently become a father, left in August 1997. McKagan was frustrated with the lack of progress: "Guns had been paying rent on studios for three years now—from 1994 to 1997—and still did not have a single song. The whole operation was so erratic that it didn't seem to fit with my hopes for parenthood, for stability."<ref>{{cite book |last=McKagan |first=Duff |author-link=Duff McKagan |title=It's so Easy (and other lies) |publisher=Touchstone |others=Collaboration by [[Tim Mohr]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4516-0664-5 |editor-last=Creamer |editor-first=Stacy |page=123}}</ref> [[Tool (band)|Tool]] collaborator [[Chris Pitman]] joined as a second keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist in early 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krgin |first=Borivoj |date=October 24, 2008 |title=Guns N' Roses Keyboardist Chris Pitman Interviewed By 'Noise Up Thursdays'; Audio Available |work=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-chris-pitman-interviewed-by-noise-up-thursdays-audio-available/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224205101/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-keyboardist-chris-pitman-interviewed-by-noise-up-thursdays-audio-available/ |archive-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> On Freese's recommendation, the band hired bassist [[Tommy Stinson]] of [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fox |first=Brian |date=April 2009 |title=Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy: Tommy Stinson, The Ultimate Replacement Talks Tone & Turmoul |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-bassist-talks-chinese-democracy/ |magazine=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]] |publisher=[[NewBay Media]]}}</ref> By early 1998, Guns N' Roses comprised Rose on vocals, Stinson on bass, Freese on drums, Finck on lead guitar, Tobias on rhythm guitar, and Reed and Pitman on keyboards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2016 |title=Guns N' Roses Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide (We Think) |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-lineup-changes/ |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]}}</ref>