DJ's Letter

[GnR-NOW]

I just read DJ's letter on Facebook. Unbelievable. Hopefully he succeeds in SIXX AM, thanks for the past 6 years in GNR

A LETTER FROM ME TO ALL OF YOU....
http://www.djashba.com/
ENGISH
To Each and Every One Of You,
6 years ago I received a call that changed my life forever. The call was from a dear friend of mine (Katie McNeil-Diamond) who was working with Guns N? Roses. It was an offer to audition for Axl Rose and earn a role in arguably the biggest rock band of my time. While I thought it was a complete long-shot, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. Much to my shock and surprise, I got the gig. And so began the most incredible journey I could have possibly imagined. I was blessed with the opportunity to not only work with one of the most talented bands but also to share the stage with a living legend and a truly gifted human being, Axl Rose. The amount of confidence and trust that Axl placed in me was genuinely heartwarming and truly career-defining. In the years that followed I traveled the world many times over and played these incredible songs night after night to the most enthusiastic and loving crowds. As you can imagine, the friendships that were forged during that time were deep and long lasting. But the most beautiful surprise of all was YOU... the fans. You welcomed me into your lives with open arms and showed me love and support that I could only have dreamed of. From the very first time I stepped on stage and started playing "Welcome To The Jungle," and felt the crowd erupt, I knew my life would never be the same. I'm not gonna lie...I was terrified!! But you were so accepting. You immediately turned my fear into pride. For that, I am truly grateful.
So now it is with a very heavy heart and yet great pride that I announce that I've decided to close this chapter of my life and encapsulate the wonderful times that I've shared with Guns N? Roses into fond memories. I have reached a point in my life where I feel its time to dedicate myself to my band Sixx:A.M., my adoring wife and family, and to the many new adventures that the future holds for me. I have always been driven by my passion for creating music and Sixx:A.M. has always been a place where I can express myself honestly and share that passion with my two brothers and bandmates, Nikki Sixx and James Michael. As you know I have also been blessed with the love and support of my incredible wife, Naty, who has been at my side for much of this amazing journey.
As I sit here writing this letter, I want to take a moment to thank Axl from the bottom of my heart for not only the most incredible experience of my life, but for truly believing in me. You are a true friend and a champion of mine and I am forever grateful. And even as I move on to pursue other endeavors, I will always remain one of your biggest fans. I also would like to thank each and every one of you fans for your love and support throughout the years. Without you, I am nothing. Please know that I do not take one minute of this amazing life for granted.
I hope that you all join me as I forge ahead. Let's conquer the world together!
With love and respect,
Dj Ashba

[Nytunz]

Humm.. dj is leaving GNR!

[GnR-NOW]

I think it's safe to say that based off this.

[pilferk]

And THAT is the classy, professional, and RIGHT way to depart.

I wish DJ all the luck in the world.

Edit: A link to the letter on his official site:
http://www.djashba.com/

[JAEBALL]

And THAT is the classy, professional, and RIGHT way to depart.

I wish DJ all the luck in the world.

AGREED !

I guess that puts the nails in the coffin right there... doesnt it?

[reayj2003]

Well, this is certainly a shock. I'm very disappointed and somewhat bewildered. I was so looking forward to seeing what DJ would bring to the table with regards to future releases.

I think we can officially say the band as we've known it for the last 5 years has fallen apart!

Sad really. And I'm sure it can only be because of the same frustrations we fans feel. DJ was so enthusiastic.

[FunkyMonkey]

Yeah, he quit.  Didn't see that coming, at least not now.

[Nytunz]

When was the last time GNR only had one guitarist?

[IKnowWhereIAM]

Well that ends this chapter of GnR...hopefully not the last chapter. I am moving into the pray for a reunion camp.  

[JAEBALL]

I wonder why it was ok fro him to make an official announcement but Ron was told/asked not to.

Wow... even though we knew about him concentrating on SIXX AM... this is really shocking for him to sever ties like this.

GNR really is in no mans land right now...

[pilferk]

Well, this is certainly a shock. I'm very disappointed and somewhat bewildered. I was so looking forward to seeing what DJ would bring to the table with regards to future releases.

I think we can officially say the band as we've known it for the last 5 years has fallen apart!

Sad really. And I'm sure it can only be because of the same frustrations we fans feel. DJ was so enthusiastic.

I don't think we need to put words in his mouth.  

He explained why he was leaving, and what he wanted to focus on.

He explained how much fun he had in the band, how much he respected Axl, etc.

It's there in his OWN words.

[Sickthings3]

Agreed!!! As much as it sucks that he's leaving, he did it in a very classy, confident way. I'm very sad to see him go but I do wish him the best of luck.

At least Axl's tweet last nite seems to show that he's in/was in a playful, good mood last nite. I only hope he had knowledge of it before hand. Or maybe he did for a while and that's why the silence right now. But I hope it doesn't negatively affect him.

[GnR-NOW]

I think things are less upsetting when reasons for not being in the band are explained to the fans. DJ is very clear why he is leaving. I don't see this has a nail in the coffin, I think its just time for the next chapter.

[pilferk]

I wonder why it was ok fro him to make an official announcement but Ron was told/asked not to.

Wow... even though we knew about him concentrating on SIXX AM... this is really shocking for him to sever ties like this.

GNR really is in no mans land right now...

Interesting, no?

But, then, given the WAY DJ seems to be going about his business vs the way Ron did (look at the content of many of those interviews, the "countdown", etc)....I can see why one might be held to a different standard than the other.

[Sickthings3]

Did Bumbles come out and say he couldn't say? I just thought he said he wasn't going to. Do we know for a fact he was asked/told he could say anything?

Unless it's a contract thing. Maybe DJ's contract was up and Bumbles' wasn't... if there are even contracts. I don't know, I'm a wrestling fan and my brain is only going to what I know.

[JAEBALL]

Did Bumbles come out and say he couldn't say? I just thought he said he wasn't going to. Do we know for a fact he was asked/told he could say anything?

He's repeatedly said that he's been asked to not discuss it, even though he has spelled it out many different ways.

Where do we go now?

[reayj2003]

Well, this is certainly a shock. I'm very disappointed and somewhat bewildered. I was so looking forward to seeing what DJ would bring to the table with regards to future releases.

I think we can officially say the band as we've known it for the last 5 years has fallen apart!

Sad really. And I'm sure it can only be because of the same frustrations we fans feel. DJ was so enthusiastic.

I don't think we need to put words in his mouth.  

He explained why he was leaving, and what he wanted to focus on.

He explained how much fun he had in the band, how much he respected Axl, etc.

It's there in his OWN words.

I don't think I'm putting words in his mouth. The following section pretty much sums it up....

I have always been driven by my passion for creating music and Sixx:A.M. has always been a place where I can express myself honestly and share that passion with my two brothers and bandmates, Nikki Sixx and James Michael.

[mortismurphy]

I'm starting to think Guns might be over, what with two guitarists down. That might be the end.

[FunkyMonkey]

I wonder why it was ok fro him to make an official announcement but Ron was told/asked not to.

DJ does everything online.  So it doesn't surprise me he would make an announcement on Facebook.

[GnR-NOW]

DJ also cited his family. So with Sixx AM being his main priority, if he decided to stay with Guns he'd have no time for his personal life. I wish him the best of luck, and I think it's exciting for the future of the band right now, believe it or not.