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Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
Let me fill you in. Rocket Queen - yes, it was my brother's bicycle. This particular story goes back to when Axl was in his late teens/early 20s. He had flown over from the States to spend the summer break with us. Our grandparents knew eachother from WW2 and had formed bonds and lasting friendships - it was only natural that the grandkids would also share those enduring attachments.
Anyway, we were all having a great time hanging out - Axl got us into the latest KISS album, Dynasty and I seem to recall that we were also listening to some early U2. I remember Axl saying: look out for that Bono guy! We used to push back the furniture and jam and Axl did an awesome candle dance with a candle on his head.
I had a tape of circus tunes that we used to muck around to. I did a funny dance to the elephant walk that always used to crack Axl up. In fact, I think he took that tape back to the States with him!
We used to get around on my brother's bicycle that had chopper handlebars and a red metallic plastic seat - Axl used to dinky me on the handlebars and take me to my dance classes. We were all excited because Axl couldn't stop talking about how he was going to start up a Rock N' Roll band. We kids had an in joke because we managed to convince the old folks that Axl was going to be a concert pianist.
Anyway, it was getting towards the end of his visit and the guys thought they'd give him a memorable send off. They built a ramp at the end of the yard and spent the afternoon trying to jump it. I was pissed off because I wasn't allowed to join in, and so I spent a lonely afternoon watching the action through the windows. "I see you standing, standing all alone." Everytime Axl rode past he would pull faces at me and generally show off. He would disappear from view and then I could hear a *crash* *bang* at the other end of the yard. My brother came in to see how I was doing and said that they had decided on a band name - Rocket Queen. And that is what they called the bicycle. If they could jump the ramp it would all come true.
The fun n' games all came to a halt when one of the guys twisted his ankles but they did jump the ramp! Axl came in and he and I had a chat about music, the band, Erin, publicity, the future, this n' that...Next thing you know it was time for him to go, he jumped on the back of his mate's 350 Suzuki and rode off.
He and I kept in touch over the phone and he would often pop up when I least expected it. I remember calling him in the studio a few times. In the mid 80s he called me to say that the band had been signed but the name had changed to Guns N' Roses. My middle name is Rose. Axl told me to look out for the album credits because Barbi Von Grief was me. He teased me and said Von Grief because, well, I have always been a hand full. It is also a reference to Charlie Brown and Lucy (and the rest of the gang). I saw him again in 1990 when I made a trip to California (There Was A Time).
That being said, let's get back to the album cover. Though I most enjoyed being dinkied around the neighbourhood by Axl Rose, it did take some persuading! I remember telling him quite earnestly that dinkying on hadlebars was illegal. That cracked him up and he said that I would never be a Rock N' Roller if I always played by the rules.
All these years later, the front cover of the album brings back so many memories - it's nice to see that Axl did take my concerns into account and put a basket on the back - much safer to get around in! 
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
so the bike on the cover of chinese democracy reminds you of your brother's bike way back when? or is that actually his bike? or is your brother dizzy's tech? i'm confused, but this thread seems to belong more in the There Was A Time section
anyway are you the Barbi from the old days when the band had dancers on stage with them? any comments on slash's or marc canter's books? anything more to fill in on what they say about those good ol' times? i find it fascinating to read about their rise to fame and am always grateful to read stories 
cheers and welcome to the board 
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
I'm the Barbi Von Grief who Rocket Queen was written about. I'm an old friend. The day I've described in the post above is an important part of the Gn'R story - always will be, that's why there is a bike on the cover to this day. That is why Axl made a point of riding a bike on stage at the Melbourne concerts.
Is my Brother Dizzy's tech??? NO Neemo! Read the post again. As I said in the post I knew Axl when I was a kid, I didn't see him again till 1990. I saw him after that in 1994, when the band was splitting up.
My identity has always been hidden and protected. I don't live in Amercia. I am close to Axl to this day, so I am aware of what I can and can't say. But all the same we have been trying to get some of the stories behind the music out. If you want to hear them eventually, don't let it go the same way as at HTGTH.
I had a fun few days with the band in 1990 when I travelled to America. Axl did ask me to stay but I declined. Duff and I had a huge argument about something or other - when he carries the breakfast tray in Patience it is a reference to that time - I chucked the tray across the room. The guys did an acoustic version of Frankie's Relax.
I am the girl in the Paradise City Video. We filmed that little snippet in 1990 - look for the frame just after Slash wakes up in the hotel room - the footage of me is inserted just after that.
I met Shannon Hoon then as well as members of Motley Crue, Lars and of course Sebastian.
All in good time. I'm the real deal.
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
In 1990?
The video for Paradise City was shot and released in 1988...
And Patience was shot in 1989 in Los Angeles.
Sorry. But you're an infamous troll.
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
No, I'm sorry. I would like to correct you.
I am in the Paradise City Video. Extra footage was inserted and released in the Welcome to The Video's DVD.
The thing about the Patience clip is that Steven was no longer in the band - people always wonder why he is in the clip.
It never ceases to amaze me that when you can confront people with the truth they don't want to hear it. LOSE YOUR ILLUSION. It's show business!
There is an utterly amazing story behind the music and yet some people seem happier in a state of denial.
Nice one, insulting an old friend. 
DCK and where did you form that opinion absolutely not, no way, is it about an old bike. I told you the story behind the music. Axl has been reported to say himself, it is about a girl and her brother's bicycle. It's well documented on HTGTH. I'm that girl.
One of the reasons why I couldn't stay on HTGTH was because of all the negativity. I'm a close friend of Axl's.
That's the problem - I'm here for the music - I'm here to update you. I'm not here to argue.
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
Nice one, insulting an old friend.
Well, you just got here. 'Old friend's a bit pushing it, eh?
Oh, and if you're saying you're an old friend of Axl's, you should know being Del James or Fernando Lebeis doesn't mean squat on this board.
Re: The Story Behind the CD Cover
Old friend of Axl's (way before Del and Fernando).
And without throwing too much flame onto the fire... I'm really, really glad about what you just said.
