The contract copy in my files appears to be the same as the one MSL has, but if you look closely, it's not.  The name clause wording is identical, but Slash's initials aren't there (although they are elsewhere), Axl's initials are in a different place and there's a slightly different line break or indentation makes a word appear on different lines.   If you compare the last page, the dates are the same but written differently, and the sigs are slightly different.  If someone wants to post a side-by-side comparison, knock yourself out.   (The first page of these docs has October 1 crossed out and September 1 noted as a replacement date, initialled by Axl, Slash and Duff, I'd like to know what MSL's says).  This backs up my guess that there are multiple versions of the contract.   Clauses were added, initialled, the last page re-signed.  Nobody knows how often or when.

It's a clusterfuck.  Every one of these guys is wrong about at least part of it, or unsure.   BUT ... nobody's intentionally lying, they all just have faulty memories, messed up dates, their own interpretations, their own version of reality or whatever.   Axl's explanation blames the long-gone Alan Niven.  WTF?  I know what he's saying, but in terms of the literal date translations here, that doesn't add up, does it?  And as much as I like Duff and think he's a fine upstanding citizen, he's off his rocker, too.   He sure wasn't talking to Doug on July 5 or 6, 1993.  Doug's son was born July 5 in California, he definitely wasn't there. 

Slash and Duff wondered the same thing years later.  It was too late (and futile) to contest the clause, but they did go for compensation.  But at the time it was just a progressively worsening situation, it was almost constant duress with all band business.  Once Alan and Izzy were gone, all controls were off Axl.  Doug, bless him, was Axl's manager.  And to respond to the posts here, he's a 'gets shit done' guy, but he doesn't work with pen and paper, he's a people guy, he's on his headset organizing, making arrangements and especially doing crises management, he could handle Axl because he was his loyal friend and confident.  (Or at least when he was in communication with him).  He's not a contracts guy and he certainly doesn't give a shit about money.   

I seriously doubt either Doug or John Reese (especially) had anything to do with the actual contract, they were just the delivery guys for Axl.  I'd suspect that Axl was dealing with Soriano (or whoever) directly.  (Which would have been one of the few direct relationships, he sure wasn't talking to the band and not a hell of a lot to management, he almost always used others to deliver his messages, ultimatums, etc, he still does). 

Slash and Duff could give in or quit or have Axl quit.  No other options.  The band had become a dictatorship.  They rolled with it as long as they could.  The dates, details are immaterial.

http://tinypic.com/r/2vxks21/5

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