Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Guns N' Roses => Guns N' Roses => Topic started by: GNRMTL on May 03, 2016, 01:09:13 PM



Title: Richard Fortus
Post by: GNRMTL on May 03, 2016, 01:09:13 PM
"Ladies and gentlemen Mr. Richard Fortus, he's only been in guns n roses for 16 years now."  Tuesday salute to anther Stellar axe player.  Mad respect. 👍


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: gunsbetterthanever on May 03, 2016, 01:30:35 PM
Watching how hard he hits the strings live gives him a level of originality that makes him fit!  He fucking kills the strings!


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: JDA on May 03, 2016, 01:43:50 PM
Richard is great!! No reason at all to disrespect him as a member of Guns. He is a great player and a dedicated member.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: GypsySoul on May 03, 2016, 02:09:22 PM
Love Richard.  Love Richard in GNR.  Love the vibe between Axl n' Richard.  Love the vibe between the other past/present band members and Richard.  Love the vibe between Izzy n' Richard at the shows they played together.  Respect.  : ok:

Love this quote:
"He's an amazing lead player and very technically skilled.... we finally have the real deal rhythm section, as Richard is a proven professional. Basically, Richard's the guy that we always were looking for." - Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses



Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: D-GenerationX on May 03, 2016, 02:12:23 PM
Richard is great.  I can't see any legit beef anyone would have about him on any level.

Fits in the band structure nicely, even as pieces around him change.  Seems a good dude, good personality.

Tell you what.  I liked him all the more since that dude snuck his phone into that clinic and you could just hear him talk and play.  Solid guy.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: inlikeflynn420 on May 03, 2016, 02:13:48 PM
I think Richard can become a breakout star on this tour. He and Slash sound great together and I think once people see him in action more they will be very impressed and accept him. Especially if it comes out publicly (like we all assume) that Izzy CHOSE not to be involved. Anyone who would take Gilby over Richard obviously hasn't heard Richard tearing it up during his solo spots.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: jc_seven on May 03, 2016, 02:49:31 PM
I have always liked Fortus.  He was the guitar player from latter Guns that most struck me, tbh.  Not the crazy virtuoso (or at least it does not seem that way) that is Buckethead or Bumblefoot but very capable and very skilled.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Thorned Rose on May 03, 2016, 02:51:20 PM
Fortus is fucking awesome. Great player. Great style. Like him as much as Izzy as far as the playing goes.

Izzy's songwriting is special, and we've not really seen much from Fortus on that front, but to me Fortus is like a better Gilby Clarke, and I liked Gilby quite a bit.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: GnR-NOW on May 03, 2016, 03:37:52 PM
Richard is an amazing player, and watching him live is intense because he plays with so much energy !


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: bjd2944 on May 03, 2016, 05:15:56 PM
Consummate professional is a good way to put it. You seldom hear anything out of him, just goes about his business. He brought a good energy to multiple incarnations of the band since the day he arrived.

Happy to have Slash back, but at the same time Richard is one of many, many talented guitarists that I've had the privilege of hearing because of Guns N' Roses.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: NickNasty on May 03, 2016, 05:23:03 PM

Hell of a player. Answered an email of mine way back in the day and was really nice  : ok:


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: LIGuns on May 03, 2016, 05:34:10 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Thorned Rose on May 03, 2016, 06:29:49 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: LIGuns on May 04, 2016, 12:53:03 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: chineseblues on May 04, 2016, 12:54:38 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...

And it still holds true, he is the best guitarist in the band in terms of his ability.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Spirit on May 04, 2016, 01:12:11 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...

And it still holds true, he is the best guitarist in the band in terms of his ability.

It depends on which abilities...

Technical, yes.

Diversity, yes.

Creating songs/riffs, no.

Soulfulness, tie.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: chineseblues on May 04, 2016, 01:24:20 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...

And it still holds true, he is the best guitarist in the band in terms of his ability.

It depends on which abilities...

Technical, yes.

Diversity, yes.

Creating songs/riffs, no.

Soulfulness, tie.


So you just proved my point right?


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Spirit on May 04, 2016, 01:25:24 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...

And it still holds true, he is the best guitarist in the band in terms of his ability.

It depends on which abilities...

Technical, yes.

Diversity, yes.

Creating songs/riffs, no.

Soulfulness, tie.


So you just proved my point right?

How so?


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: chineseblues on May 04, 2016, 01:26:24 PM
Bumblefoot referred to him as the best guitarist in the band...

He probably was then... not now...

gr8 b8 m8

Yes the statement was made when B-foot, DJ and Fortus were all in the band...

And it still holds true, he is the best guitarist in the band in terms of his ability.

It depends on which abilities...

Technical, yes.

Diversity, yes.

Creating songs/riffs, no.

Soulfulness, tie.


So you just proved my point right?

How so?

Well going by your 4 criteria Richard comes out ahead 2 to 1 if we disregard the tie.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Spirit on May 04, 2016, 01:35:18 PM

So you just proved my point right?

How so?

Well going by your 4 criteria Richard comes out ahead 2 to 1 if we disregard the tie.

If you want to rate each option equally important yes.

Personally I would say the ability to create songs and riffs is the most important one.

If you have the ability to create something that sounds amazing while not being the most technically skilled player, does the technical skills really matter?


I'm not saying Richard is bad in that department in any way, but Slash is in a league of his own there. Not many guitar players can compete with his merits.

Richard still have a lot of skills there, so I have high hopes for the outcome should they decide to create something together.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: jc_seven on May 04, 2016, 01:47:53 PM
There are a lot of different aspects that make a guitar player good and it us difficult to rate a guitar player just on technical abilities.

I will say this, it is quite something when a musician can be instantly recognized just by their sound or style.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: chineseblues on May 04, 2016, 02:03:58 PM

So you just proved my point right?

How so?

Well going by your 4 criteria Richard comes out ahead 2 to 1 if we disregard the tie.

If you want to rate each option equally important yes.

Personally I would say the ability to create songs and riffs is the most important one.

If you have the ability to create something that sounds amazing while not being the most technically skilled player, does the technical skills really matter?


I'm not saying Richard is bad in that department in any way, but Slash is in a league of his own there. Not many guitar players can compete with his merits.

Richard still have a lot of skills there, so I have high hopes for the outcome should they decide to create something together.

I agree with you there for sure. In saying that though, in terms of all around ability there should be no question as to who the best guitarist is. Slash is really good no doubt but Richard's skills on the guitar just can't be touched by anyone who has been in the band not named Buckethead.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Spirit on May 04, 2016, 04:20:00 PM

So you just proved my point right?

How so?

Well going by your 4 criteria Richard comes out ahead 2 to 1 if we disregard the tie.

If you want to rate each option equally important yes.

Personally I would say the ability to create songs and riffs is the most important one.

If you have the ability to create something that sounds amazing while not being the most technically skilled player, does the technical skills really matter?


I'm not saying Richard is bad in that department in any way, but Slash is in a league of his own there. Not many guitar players can compete with his merits.

Richard still have a lot of skills there, so I have high hopes for the outcome should they decide to create something together.

I agree with you there for sure. In saying that though, in terms of all around ability there should be no question as to who the best guitarist is. Slash is really good no doubt but Richard's skills on the guitar just can't be touched by anyone who has been in the band not named Buckethead.

That was my point though... how do you define "best"?

You are thinking strictly guitar playing technique?


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: chineseblues on May 04, 2016, 08:45:15 PM

So you just proved my point right?

How so?

Well going by your 4 criteria Richard comes out ahead 2 to 1 if we disregard the tie.

If you want to rate each option equally important yes.

Personally I would say the ability to create songs and riffs is the most important one.

If you have the ability to create something that sounds amazing while not being the most technically skilled player, does the technical skills really matter?


I'm not saying Richard is bad in that department in any way, but Slash is in a league of his own there. Not many guitar players can compete with his merits.

Richard still have a lot of skills there, so I have high hopes for the outcome should they decide to create something together.

I agree with you there for sure. In saying that though, in terms of all around ability there should be no question as to who the best guitarist is. Slash is really good no doubt but Richard's skills on the guitar just can't be touched by anyone who has been in the band not named Buckethead.

That was my point though... how do you define "best"?

You are thinking strictly guitar playing technique?

Overall skill with the guitar.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 04, 2016, 09:20:26 PM
richard is a king. people that swear he throws the sound off are on crack.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Voodoochild on May 04, 2016, 09:41:11 PM
I don't know why, but I liked his solos in KOHD and Rocket Queen way more than anything he played in his solo spots before.

And he played one of the best Street of Dreams/The Blues ending solo in 2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMG5UTDxM


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Thorned Rose on May 05, 2016, 10:45:38 AM
Whoa whoa...

I really like Fortus a lot. As much as Izzy in terms of playing style and ability.

Are we seriously comparing him and Slash and acting like he's as good or better than Slash?

Lets be real here. It is universally known and thought that Slash is a better guitarist and brings more to the table.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: The Wight Gunner on May 05, 2016, 03:08:50 PM
Whoa whoa...

I really like Fortus a lot. As much as Izzy in terms of playing style and ability.

Are we seriously comparing him and Slash and acting like he's as good or better than Slash?

Lets be real here. It is universally known and thought that Slash is a better guitarist and brings more to the table.
It is universally known  that Slash is great guitarist, but that is more to do with his brand being well know.  Buckethead is a better guitarist IMHO and fairly well known, Richard has been a loyal soldier to GnR, so much so that his contribution to the world of published music, maybe has been on hold, or is credited to every recording left in the vault, who knows? In my world, he's a better 21st century player than Slash, but history has shone brighter for Slash IYSWIM  :yes:


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: GNRMTL on May 05, 2016, 03:32:21 PM
This post was intended for praise.  Not to nit pick who's a better guitar player.   Some of you are really whack!  So many negative spins on positive topics in this forum.   It takes less effort to spread joy then negativity.  Just sayin'. #GnFnR


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: jc_seven on May 05, 2016, 04:15:31 PM
This post was intended for praise.  Not to nit pick who's a better guitar player.   Some of you are really whack!  So many negative spins on positive topics in this forum.   It takes less effort to spread joy then negativity.  Just sayin'. #GnFnR

Good post!

There is a lot of clash on this board with regards to the old members, the rejoining members and the CD guys. It is honestly just a great time to be a Guns fan. We should embrace this as we have not been as privileged in the past.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: FreddieJames on May 05, 2016, 04:32:34 PM
Whoa whoa...

I really like Fortus a lot. As much as Izzy in terms of playing style and ability.

Are we seriously comparing him and Slash and acting like he's as good or better than Slash?

Lets be real here. It is universally known and thought that Slash is a better guitarist and brings more to the table.
It is universally known  that Slash is great guitarist, but that is more to do with his brand being well know.  Buckethead is a better guitarist IMHO and fairly well known, Richard has been a loyal soldier to GnR, so much so that his contribution to the world of published music, maybe has been on hold, or is credited to every recording left in the vault, who knows? In my world, he's a better 21st century player than Slash, but history has shone brighter for Slash IYSWIM  :yes:

See, but that's the thing: Buckethead to me is a worse guitarist than Slash since he has little to no emotion in his playing. His music sounds like elevator music to me. And that's the thing some of the people here are getting at: it's just taste man. Maybe Bucket can play things Slash can't, however, Slash can put an emotion in his playing that only few can. Hence his popularity.

To be clear: I don't think any guitarist is better than any other. It's just a matter of taste and preference. In art there's no best, just what you like.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: GypsySoul on May 05, 2016, 05:43:03 PM
Whoa whoa...

I really like Fortus a lot. As much as Izzy in terms of playing style and ability.

Are we seriously comparing him and Slash and acting like he's as good or better than Slash?

Lets be real here. It is universally known and thought that Slash is a better guitarist and brings more to the table.
It is universally known  that Slash is great guitarist, but that is more to do with his brand being well know.  Buckethead is a better guitarist IMHO and fairly well known, Richard has been a loyal soldier to GnR, so much so that his contribution to the world of published music, maybe has been on hold, or is credited to every recording left in the vault, who knows? In my world, he's a better 21st century player than Slash, but history has shone brighter for Slash IYSWIM  :yes:

Understandably, the fans are watching/listening to Slash's playing with their hearts not with their ears.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: HBK on May 05, 2016, 09:22:16 PM
Love Richard.  Love Richard in GNR.  Love the vibe between Axl n' Richard.  Love the vibe between the other past/present band members and Richard.  Love the vibe between Izzy n' Richard at the shows they played together.  Respect.  : ok:

Love this quote:
"He's an amazing lead player and very technically skilled.... we finally have the real deal rhythm section, as Richard is a proven professional. Basically, Richard's the guy that we always were looking for." - Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses




Richard Rulez !!! 16 Years

 :beer:


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: jeorose on May 06, 2016, 12:41:43 AM
Seriously? Richard rules? People don't know about music. Now axl is selling stadiums that's the difference slash and duff gives guns n roses the sound that we all love.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 06, 2016, 01:06:20 AM
Whoa whoa...

I really like Fortus a lot. As much as Izzy in terms of playing style and ability.

Are we seriously comparing him and Slash and acting like he's as good or better than Slash?

Lets be real here. It is universally known and thought that Slash is a better guitarist and brings more to the table.

just like it's universaly known that hamburgers are better than pizza.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: kaasupoltin on May 06, 2016, 02:23:49 AM
It's a matter of opinion. You can't really say who's the best guitarist in the world. Some give credit for technical ability while others don't give a shit about the skills if the guy has "the feeling" or "the sound". It's like arguing which is the best band. One likes this and someone else likes that.

That being said, I'd also like to point out that from the band's point of view Richard might also be a reliable member who they can truly trust. That should be a huge factor.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 06, 2016, 06:19:06 AM
some people like hamburgers, and some people are on crack. me, i like crackburgers. its a real win win.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: HBK on May 07, 2016, 11:34:22 AM
Seriously? Richard rules? People don't know about music. Now axl is selling stadiums that's the difference slash and duff gives guns n roses the sound that we all love.


I'm Batman

 :smoking:



Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: StoneTempleRoses on May 08, 2016, 10:55:38 AM
I don't know why, but I liked his solos in KOHD and Rocket Queen way more than anything he played in his solo spots before.

And he played one of the best Street of Dreams/The Blues ending solo in 2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMG5UTDxM

WOW why the F was this solo not used everytime??? Or is it and we just cant ussually hear Richard as clear? Especially for the recorded CD version why isn't it in there.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: JustanUrchin on May 08, 2016, 11:49:10 AM
Seriously? Richard rules? People don't know about music. Now axl is selling stadiums that's the difference slash and duff gives guns n roses the sound that we all love.

Well said, friend.  Where's Izzy?  It was his plucking in and around what Slash is playing that produced the sound that fills stadiums.  Just because Julia Roberts acts better than my wife doesn't mean that she can reproduce my wife...or anything close.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: Voodoochild on May 08, 2016, 01:58:35 PM
I don't know why, but I liked his solos in KOHD and Rocket Queen way more than anything he played in his solo spots before.

And he played one of the best Street of Dreams/The Blues ending solo in 2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMG5UTDxM

WOW why the F was this solo not used everytime??? Or is it and we just cant ussually hear Richard as clear? Especially for the recorded CD version why isn't it in there.
I know, right? IMO its way better than the regular solo both live and in the studio version.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 10, 2016, 05:49:39 AM
Kind of (very) off topic, but I sure hope we get some more insight into the meanings behind cd songs some day. I just thought of that when being reminded of how awesome street of dreams was. I really want more info about the album. And the remix itself... that's my holy grail, that and the second half of Chinese.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: sneeks on May 12, 2016, 02:20:02 AM
I think Richard is excellent, big fan of his playing. Here is my video from Glasgow, Scotland in 2012.

https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU (https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU)


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 12, 2016, 03:48:47 AM
I think Richard is excellent, big fan of his playing. Here is my video from Glasgow, Scotland in 2012.

https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU (https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU)

awesome video! was he looking into the camera near the beginning?

its pretty much the same solo from the afd dvd. always thought that solo was mind blowing and had a very classic sound to it. the guy is really amazing at what he does.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: sneeks on May 13, 2016, 04:19:13 AM
I think Richard is excellent, big fan of his playing. Here is my video from Glasgow, Scotland in 2012.

https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU (https://youtu.be/5d7YeV7ZEhU)

awesome video! was he looking into the camera near the beginning?

its pretty much the same solo from the afd dvd. always thought that solo was mind blowing and had a very classic sound to it. the guy is really amazing at what he does.

At the time I thought he was looking at me and it appears that way in the video. That was a great concert.


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: ice cream sand pig on May 13, 2016, 05:37:14 AM
very cool!


Title: Re: Richard Fortus
Post by: superstarmc on May 13, 2016, 07:51:11 AM
I've always liked Richard from the beginning.