greatest hits proves that Chinese democracy will sell big

[D]

i was one bitchin bout how the greatest hits was a horrible idea

tracklisting sucked, there was no need for it etc

the greatest hits sold almost 170,000 copies in its first week, had GNR not released it with the buzzsaw that is Usher and the NOW compilation it wouldve been number 1

think about it, no single, very little promotion, crappy tracklisting and it still was a top 5 album

so to me that leaves little doubt that CD wont debut at number 1

a new highly anticipated mysterious cd, a single and video there is no way chinese democracy can fell

Usher and Norah Jones already proved that the internet isnt as significant as everyone thought cause they moved over a million units first week which reinforces that music sales are down simply cause the music is shit

with the greatest hits doing so well axl in my opinion cant use the scared or self concious excuse cause if the greatest hits doesnt prove that fans still care for GNR and are thirsty for more, nothing will

think about it

heavy promotion,a kick ass single and video, press

if GH's can sell without those things imagine how well CD will sell

i guarantee over 500,000

[Timothy]

With the right single & video I would say it could do upwards of 800,000 in it's first week.

[jarmo]

I think the Greatest Hits proved that GN'R had some hits and that people want to hear them on one album.



/jarmo

[Mattgnr]

I'll see your 800,000 and raise you to a million

[Timothy]

I'll see your 800,000 and raise you to a million

Well Hell how bout the bet nsync''s Record of 2+ million, sombody has to eventully they have just as  good of a shot as anybody

[Dot]

I think it doesn?t prove Chinese will sell big...I think it proves(maybe) that people are old GnR thirsty...they want the old, original and real GnR.

[Skunk]

Maybe it proves that people don't want to buy more than one album to get the few GNR songs they want to own. Maybe people just want November Rain and SCOM on one disk.

I think CD will sell depending on the strength of its singles, like everything else. Without a popular single upon release it will sell no more than 200,000. You look at a band like Aerosmith, who just released their album without a single (a top 5 release at about 150,000). They're fans are still there and bought it, plus maybe some people who read a good review or two, but the casual listened isn't going to buy it without a single.

I believe Axl will have singles good enough to sell a lot, because I think people miss GNR, and even more they miss rock. But until we hear the singles, we won't really know.

[bolton]

I think it doesn?t prove Chinese will sell big...I think it proves(maybe) that people are old GnR thirsty...they want the old, original and real GnR.

i think that people want real rnr,and they know what axl can do!
wheatever old or new band,new gunsnroses album will have a great selling,and with couple songs like madagascar and the blues,and some great hard tunes,new album will have a great sucess.
Mick jager and stiven tayler are too old,and world need new rnr icon.Only axl rose can be that!

[younggunner]

I think it proves(maybe) that people are old GnR thirsty...they want the old, original and real GnR.

Dude give it a fukin rest.

The people saw an album that had classics on it. They say lets buy that. The hardcore fan might say soemthing like that but the casual fan is not sweating over the old vs new...trust me...and thats another thing...

the greatest hists sales proves my theory about non hardcore gnr fans buying CD.
A lot of the people on these boards did not buy this GH album. That means non hardcore fans did. That means when gnr release their next album and the music is good they will buy it too.Along with the people on these boards that didnt buy GH. What we have hear is a shortage of CD at you rlocal store :}

Everyone on these boards will buy atleats 1 copy of CD. Add that to the casual rock fan, the casual gnr fan{that hasnt been following them since 95ish}, the new kids, and everyone else that might appeal to the new sound of gnr. hence you have the hottest album in the country.
Once gnr get their shit together they will be fine. The peopel are craving for a good album. Hopefully the material will deliver. and it will....

[matt88]

It shows that GN'R fans out there are still willing to buy material, and i think 1,000,000 copies in the first week is spot on

[Falcon]

I think the Greatest Hits proved that GN'R had some hits and that people want to hear them on one album.



/jarmo

Exactly.

[Booker Floyd]

I think the Greatest Hits proved that GN'R had some hits and that people want to hear them on one album.

^ Common sense

And very little promotion?  Where are you from?  Because Ive seen television ads and print ads and heard tons of radio coverage, including live reads from Howard Stern.  

[John Daniels]

I don't know, I thought that GN'R name was quite of damaged..I never thought that GH and expecially the brand of Guns and Roses would sell this good. Good sells numbers give me a bit of hope about Chinese Democracy....well..good GH selling figures can be explained that people want to hear GN'R's hits on one album as Jarmo and Falcon stated..

[noonespecial]

What Jarmo said

[younggunner]

I thought that GN'R name was quite of damaged

The whole gnr name is ruined idea is was overated and gets overblown. The band hasnt had a good run in the pr department but the sales speak for itself. People will buy GNR cds. And they will buy the new cd{if its good}. The issue with the casual fan is if the material is good not the whole old vs new thing that we have argued about for years on this board.

[HoldenCaulfield]

Exactly. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, the GNR name is still a huge entity. I think the new album, with a single/video and promotion could sell upwards of 700k units the first week, and I'm not joking.

[Falcon]

I think the Greatest Hits proved that GN'R had some hits and that people want to hear them on one album.

And very little promotion?  Where are you from?  Because Ive seen television ads and print ads and heard tons of radio coverage, including live reads from Howard Stern.  

No doubt, I've seen tons of TV and print ads as well, heard
countless radio spots (none on modern rock stations but that's another dead horse) and the release has been commented on virtually every music news website imaginable.

I am thoroughly impressed by early sales of GH but holding judgement for a few more weeks.  If I'm not mistaken, sales dipped in the 2nd week 48%, crunch those numbers over some time and you've got a complete stall in about week 7 or 8 at approximately 600,000 units sold, if that.

With no unreleased tracks or single to spike sales, GH albums in general tend not to have "long legs", musicspeak for selling multiple units over a long time period.

Keep the above in mind before declaration of early sales figures meaning anything in regard to CD's future numbers.

[NickNasty]

If the new album (which I don't think will be called CD anymore, after all the negative association with that name, 2002 tour and such) gets as much of a promotional push from Geffen as GH did, it will easily shift at least 500,000 in its 1st 2 weeks. Thats, again if it is ever released.

[blues_rock_axeman]

The GH in no way 'proves' that CD will sell big.  

I've had a ton of people come up to me and ask 'hey, who's this cool new band with the dude with the top hat and those other blond dudes?'

People still see the old GN'R as being 'cool'. They're timeless.

The new band? Well...I VERY much doubt the reaction will be anywhere near the same. The casual observer would be 'who are these weird looking guys doing the old songs by those other dudes?'

People will expect a record that has Aerosmith-inflected rock. Classic rock style music is big again. Industrial-inflected experimental records (which I imagine CD will be) probably won't sell like a Darkness album, or even a GN'R GH.

Don't get me wrong, I'll buy CD if it comes out, but the fickle masses will probably reject it.  

[HoldenCaulfield]

Industrial-inflected experimental records (which I imagine CD will be) probably won't sell like a Darkness album, or even a GN'R GH.

Wow, I really hope you're joking. It won't sell like a "Darkness album" What in the blue hell are you smoking? And you all are really going overboar with all the "it's too industrial" crap. Do 'Madagascar', 'The Blues', or 'Chinese Democracy' sound the anything industrial? NO!

[younggunner]

Keep the above in mind before declaration of early sales figures meaning anything in regard to CD's future numbers.

I agree. The GH sales will def. dip. But in regards to CD, I think that it shows that the non hardcore gnr fan, the casual fan will buy a new GNr cd if its good.
 Unlike this GH cd, CD will have multiple singles and videos, therefore if its good, the aspect of sales dipping within a few weeks will not have as mcuh of an effect.
If the singles on CD are amazing and very catchy the album will have no problem in selling.

The sales of CD will be fine. To me its about the material and how it compares to todays music, gnrs music and othe rmusic of the past. The sales will be their if the material is good.

The new band? Well...I VERY much doubt the reaction will be anywhere near the same. The casual observer would be 'who are these weird looking guys doing the old songs by those other dudes?'

Your kidding right?
The casual fan doesnt even know they have played the old songs on tour. Plus do you really think that when the album is out they will be playing an afd setlist? Use your fukin head dude.

As for the way they look. You have no clue. If the material is good the "freaks wont be an issue". WHos the freak anyway, Robin? Wow 1 freak. Your so gay with these freak comments. I wish Bucket was still in the circus the kiddies would flock to gnr even more.

People will expect a record that has Aerosmith-inflected rock. Classic rock style music is big again. Industrial-inflected experimental records (which I imagine CD will be) probably won't sell like a Darkness album, or even a GN'R GH.

1st off the cd will not be this industrial based album. That is such a misconception with this new lineup and its material. CD will be more guitar driven. The follow ups might be more industrial based but not cd. Each cd will take us on a musical jounry. In a very special gnr way.

CD sales will not even compare to the darkness sales. I have listened to the darkness album and they only have 2 good songs on it. They had 1 bigtime single. CD will have a all their single be bigtime. Its not even going to be an issue.

First you tell me the casual fan doesnt want the oldies from this band then you say the casual fan expects an aerosmith type record. Your dumb as hell.

The casual fan wants good music. It doesnt have a label on what it should be. The casual fan doesnt expect anything from this new band. Its a new band. SO if the material is good they will embrace the material and the new band. Get that through your head.

[Ted Nugent]

You also have to factor in the importance of a tour to promote the new album and generate sales.  If they want CD to have sales figures anywhere near UYI then they're going to have to embark on a pretty extensive world tour.  This means that Axl needs to get his head together and be at every gig somewhere near on time because if shows start being cancelled at the begining of the tour then he'll be playing in front of half empty arenas just like 2002.

If CD gets good reviews and they can generate a good buzz in the media in the lead up to the release date then i'm pretty confident that we will see positive sales figures in the opening weeks.

If Axl is emotionally stable and the record company are 100% behind him then we have nothing to worry about.  CD is gonna be huge.

[D]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

people are sick of todays music and what music needs is someone like axl rose
im telling u, he is a timeless icon he is my hero and new kids would totally look up to him, see the shit he's done in the past and dig him cause axl is timeless he will always be cool

GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

[matt88]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

people are sick of todays music and what music needs is someone like axl rose
im telling u, he is a timeless icon he is my hero and new kids would totally look up to him, see the shit he's done in the past and dig him cause axl is timeless he will always be cool
GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

Yeah i think your right about that

[bolton]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

people are sick of todays music and what music needs is someone like axl rose
im telling u, he is a timeless icon he is my hero and new kids would totally look up to him, see the shit he's done in the past and dig him cause axl is timeless he will always be cool

GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

Yes,you're right about that,and i'm sure the most people whose buy GH,have every gnr album,but they still want something new.
and cd will have great song(maybe 2-3,but i believe in axl),and that guy know to make great song

[Meanmachine22]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

people are sick of todays music and what music needs is someone like axl rose
im telling u, he is a timeless icon he is my hero and new kids would totally look up to him, see the shit he's done in the past and dig him cause axl is timeless he will always be cool

GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

You talking like Axl is the fucking messias  
That is funny. Probably he thinks he is....

I think cd will sell very good if it ever gets completed and i doubt it will

[jarmo]

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it?

Not everybody is into that or even know how to do it. Then there's people who saw a GN'R "Greatest Hits" ad on tv and probably thought "I remember them, I'll have to get that. It has (song title) on it.".

how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

Several reasons as far as I can tell:

- Greatest Hits is a lot cheaper to buy, $8 at certain stores.
- Greatest Hits was promoted a lot more. I don't know how you can say Live Era had more promotion. Do you remember 1999?  
- People don't want live versions of the hits, they want to hear studio versions.

GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

Really?

It was promoted more than Live Era, a lot more.



/jarmo

[Dot]

I think it doesn?t prove Chinese will sell big...I think it proves(maybe) that people are old GnR thirsty...they want the old, original and real GnR.

Mick jager and stiven tayler are too old,and world need new rnr icon.Only axl rose can be that!

I doubt Axl will be a new "Mr. Icon"...again.

[blues_rock_axeman]

The new band? Well...I VERY much doubt the reaction will be anywhere near the same. The casual observer would be 'who are these weird looking guys doing the old songs by those other dudes?'

Your kidding right?
The casual fan doesnt even know they have played the old songs on tour. Plus do you really think that when the album is out they will be playing an afd setlist? Use your fukin head dude.

People have already seen the new band on the road. And they have said the above quote. People think GN'R, they think Slash. That's a fact. I've been browsing through Snake pit images and random people have said 'wow, the GN'R line-up really has changed, but at least Slash is still in there.'

As for the way they look. You have no clue. If the material is good the "freaks wont be an issue". WHos the freak anyway, Robin? Wow 1 freak. Your so gay with these freak comments. I wish Bucket was still in the circus the kiddies would flock to gnr even more.

People judge all bands on how they look. Whether it's Korn in their Adidas or The Darkness in spandex and flares, people make a pre-emptive judgement about a band based on how they look. And people 'don't get' Buckethead either. Everyone from Tenacious D to Hanoi Rocks to Dee freakin' Snider has trashed Buckethead because he's not Slash, and because he's weird. People victimise those in society who are different. Imagine the mockery a high school-age kid would get by the 'cool kids' as the result of buying a record from a band with a 'fawkin Goffik and a freak with a KFC tub on his head.'

Most advise Buckethead to 'get out of the band that Slash created' as it is, and their opinion is unlikely to change.

1st off the cd will not be this industrial based album. That is such a misconception with this new lineup and its material. CD will be more guitar driven. The follow ups might be more industrial based but not cd. Each cd will take us on a musical jounry. In a very special gnr way.

And so suddenly you know all the new material? What's your source? And I've noticed that certain new songs are very much a Grunge/Industrial hybrid.

CD sales will not even compare to the darkness sales. I have listened to the darkness album and they only have 2 good songs on it. They had 1 bigtime single. CD will have a all their single be bigtime. Its not even going to be an issue.

The Darkness have been huge in the UK. They've had 3 Top 10 singles, 2 of which went to number 2, one Top 20 single and 2 Top 50 singles.

First you tell me the casual fan doesnt want the oldies from this band then you say the casual fan expects an aerosmith type record. Your dumb as hell.

I never said the casual fan doesn't want the old guys. It's exactly what they do want!

The casual fan wants good music. It doesnt have a label on what it should be. The casual fan doesnt expect anything from this new band. Its a new band. SO if the material is good they will embrace the material and the new band. Get that through your head.

What, so it's that easy? A good album and they're huge stars again? Give me a break. Some bands make superb albums and never get noticed. So why in this age of disposable pop and 5 minute fads would a group of 40-year-old rock veterans be the darlings of music channels? Good luck.

The music industry goes well beyond good music. It's a dated sentiment to suggest that good music will make it.

[Finn-k?ki]

Dont ya all meen: greatest hits proves that Contraband will sell big

Axl is allready a flop cause he doesnt care about his fans. Axl just wants to fuck you all the way cause he likes to give us lies and false hopes... He gets some kicks from it you see... Public will see througt him as some weard guy who stabbed his friends in the back and hired some guy whit bucket in his head, started touring and screwed all up. Then this 'Axl'- guy fucked all his fans whit silence... Nice guy!

Velvet Revolver will rule the world, Axl is/was a replaceable frontman and Slash knew that when he left the sinkin' ship. So did everybody else too. Axl drove hs friends away and made himself and his music THE JOKE OF ROCK.

Axl cant prove me wrong cause he has no CD that would sell big. No guitarist will stick whit him, no woman can deal whit him, AXL is gonna die alone whit his illusions. Axl was a joke and now he is a nobody.

Wake up ya all

[Acquiesce]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

So why exactly do you think the Greatest Hits did so well if the public didn't want to buy an album containing all the classics? What other reason is there to buy a greatest hits?

Greatest Hits has no correlation to the future sales of Chinese Democracy. The Greatest Hits contained songs that are proven classics. It appealed to the diehard fans who want to own every official cd, and to the casual fan who like the hits but may not want to buy the albums. Chinese Democracy will contain songs that are unknown to the public. The casual fan will not just run out and buy it unless it wins them over. Younggunner may think he is Miss Cleo, but no one can predict how well this album will be received. It may not have a place in a world that is dominated by the likes of Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, and Justin Timberlake.

[Fuckin' Gunner]

im sorry with all due respect but jarmo and the rest of u are wrong

people want a bunch of classics on one album? why not burn it? how come GH did phenomenally better than live era and live era even had some videos and more promotion

people are sick of todays music and what music needs is someone like axl rose
im telling u, he is a timeless icon he is my hero and new kids would totally look up to him, see the shit he's done in the past and dig him cause axl is timeless he will always be cool

GH's had promotion but nothing over the top or major

I thinkl live era was very expansive if you compare to GH, maybe there's a good reason.

[younggunner]

People have already seen the new band on the road. And they have said the above quote. People think GN'R, they think Slash. That's a fact. I've been browsing through Snake pit images and random people have said 'wow, the GN'R line-up really has changed, but at least Slash is still in there.'

No shit. People who have not followed the band all of this time have not known about the changes. It totally doesnt matter, when they release a single and video people will see the new band and embrace the new band if they like them.

People judge all bands on how they look. Whether it's Korn in their Adidas or The Darkness in spandex and flares, people make a pre-emptive judgement about a band based on how they look. And people 'don't get' Buckethead either. Everyone from Tenacious D to Hanoi Rocks to Dee freakin' Snider has trashed Buckethead because he's not Slash, and because he's weird. People victimise those in society who are different. Imagine the mockery a high school-age kid would get by the 'cool kids' as the result of buying a record from a band with a 'fawkin Goffik and a freak with a KFC tub on his head.'

Most advise Buckethead to 'get out of the band that Slash created' as it is, and their opinion is unlikely to change.

Gnrs look was unique. Just because some poeple dont liek the look doesnt mean its bad. Record sales will judge that buddy. I could give two shits what anyone says. Plus bucket is out anyway. Which is bad because he is the marketing tool to bring in the new kids from an apperance perspective. You people overate the whole bucket/freak thing.
And your completely wrong about the whole freka thing. Kids today like things that are different. They dont want the same shit. If the music is good people will embrace this band and thier freaks. Its as simple as that. If the music means somehting to them then bucket or robin will be there hero.

And so suddenly you know all the new material? What's your source? And I've noticed that certain new songs are very much a Grunge/Industrial hybrid.

No, I know nothing. But what i do know is that many people have said what the material sounds like. Thats how i know. When Brian May says "if gnr are trying to make a perfect album, they arent far off" that tells me a great deal.

And yes some of the songs have some grunge/industrial influences. I didnt say they wouldnt. When i say CD wont be a grunge/techno/industrial album i mean it wont be like a nin album. CD will have elements from all genres. Read the quotes over the years. Its all there.

I never said the casual fan doesn't want the old guys. It's exactly what they do want!

Thats fine but guess what, there not gonna get it. Plus it doesnt matter. Its not about the old fans. If they want to embrace the new band fine, but this band is also for a new generation and people who didnt embrace gnr first time around.

The people that roam the internet and have been following the band over the years are what i consider gnrs hardcore fans. Lets just say 50% of these people dont liek the new lineup. BUt on the release day 100% will be buying the album.

The casual gnr fan/the casual music fan and the kids are not wrapped up in the old vs new thing. So to them if the music is good they could give 2 shits.

What, so it's that easy? A good album and they're huge stars again? Give me a break. Some bands make superb albums and never get noticed. So why in this age of disposable pop and 5 minute fads would a group of 40-year-old rock veterans be the darlings of music channels? Good luck.

The music industry goes well beyond good music. It's a dated sentiment to suggest that good music will make it.

I never said gnr will be liek they were back in the day. The musical landscape is totally different. The music business is totally different. MTV is totally different. All im saying is that CD will sell very easily if the material is good. People are not wrapped up in the old vs new. How far they take gnr is up to the poeple. Gnr can very easily dominate the rock world. Whether they can dominate the whole music world like they did back in the day is a totally different story. Thats something that they cant control.

[badapple81]

Well here in Australia..

Greatest Hits was not promoted by Universal Australia at all.. they gave record stores next to nothing to put on the walls and windows, no billboards, no radio or TV ads, no radio promos (you know like a GNR quiz, answer right and win a copy of GH) to promote it.. and here it is #3 on the HMV charts weeks on!

So yes people saw it there.. saw the name Guns N' Roses and thought it would obviously be a great collection of songs..

But imagine when people see the signs "NEW GUNS N' ROSES ALBUM.. GNR ARE BACK" etc.. people will buy and the record will be huge!

Hmmm wishful thinking..

[matt88]

Well here in Australia..

Greatest Hits was not promoted by Universal Australia at all.. they gave record stores next to nothing to put on the walls and windows, no billboards, no radio or TV ads, no radio promos (you know like a GNR quiz, answer right and win a copy of GH) to promote it.. and here it is #3 on the HMV charts weeks on!

So yes people saw it there.. saw the name Guns N' Roses and thought it would obviously be a great collection of songs..

But imagine when people see the signs "NEW GUNS N' ROSES ALBUM.. GNR ARE BACK" etc.. people will buy and the record will be huge!

Hmmm wishful thinking..

Right on mate

[Timothy]

Only seen one printed ad for the greatest hits and didn't live era have like two videos one with made it on to trl. that right there give it more promotion than the greatest hits.

[bolton]

Well here in Australia..

Greatest Hits was not promoted by Universal Australia at all.. they gave record stores next to nothing to put on the walls and windows, no billboards, no radio or TV ads, no radio promos (you know like a GNR quiz, answer right and win a copy of GH) to promote it.. and here it is #3 on the HMV charts weeks on!

So yes people saw it there.. saw the name Guns N' Roses and thought it would obviously be a great collection of songs..

But imagine when people see the signs "NEW GUNS N' ROSES ALBUM.. GNR ARE BACK" etc.. people will buy and the record will be huge!

Hmmm wishful thinking..

right,right,right!

[Rebecca Duff Rose]

I Like it! {Great thread mate!}  

[Butch Français]

it's the combination of the words Guns N' Roses and the words Greatest Hits that sell. a new album would be something entirely different!

[The New Fiona Apple]

I think it does prove something that a completely inactive band with lax promotion can have a mere Greatest Hits album sell so well despite everyone and the mothers owning Appetite and Illusion.

If there is the right promotion for CD, it can easily sell up to 800,000 in the first week even from curiousity alone.  

[DRUNK]

D and younggunner are correct, the rest of you are wrong.

I don't have much to say because they've said everything.



It's quite simple:  no tour, no single, no promotion (please, this thing was barely promoted).

And it has sold this much already?  Incredible.



CD will sell in the United States alone, upwards of 500,000 copies the first week, and that number will rise in weeks after.

[badapple81]

Agreed

Whether it gets great or crap reviews.. the fact that Axl has been doing this for 10 years and the hype surrounding that.. will ensure A LOT of people will pick it up and take it home..

If it gets crap reviews from both press and fans, the first single or two doesnt do well..I cant see a tour being very successful after the last tours problems.. IMO.

Just imagine the feeling of putting GUNS N' ROSES CHINESE DEMOCRACY in your CD player for the first time.. oh man..  

[Timothy]

Greatest Hits proves that the GN'R name isn't as tarnished as some would believe. But Cd still needs a killer fiirst single and video to sell, without that I think the most that it will move in it's first week would be 200,000 .