What's worse?

I'm not really talking about singing in the same key, but the power that goes with it. Sure, Axl Rose might sang at the original key in 2002, but with some songs he was squiling like a little girl to get the key right.
Axl did a awesome performance of the song Rocket Queen that was featured on Live Era. Truly great. I doubt whether it will still sound as great today even if he hits the same key.

come on!!!! I can tell you at least 3 singers that can reach the higher notes and are much older than him... Ian Gillan(Deep Purple), Brian Johnson(Ac/Dc) and Steven Tyler(aerosmith).... all 3 aren't 40's, but 60's!
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volcano vaporizers

Er, ok...

1) Gillan still is amazing. His voice doesn't last through whole concert every night, but yes he still nails them high notes.

2) Brian Johnson. Now that ain't singing it's screaming. But, the power is still there. And yes, he still sounds quite like in the 80's.

3) Steven Tyler. I disagree. His voice is gone to hell quite like Jon's. But Mr Tyler does more than jsut avoid the tough parts, he rams through them with sheer power. Missing a note or two doesn't mean a thing when everyone can see he's potting his heart into it.

As I always put it, it's all about overall performance not just vocals, or few notes. Some can deliver night after night, some just walk through boring set night after night.

Aloha !

So, that leaves Steven Tyler, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams, Joe Cocker and Paul McCartney open for discussion. They all put their heart in the songs they're singing, and still sing in the original key.

And by the way most of the Live Era songs have vocals recorded in 1998. About 80% contain vocals that are not from the actual performance itself. Axl's voice has changed a lot over the years, but he can still reach the notes without any trouble.

Ah, yes, that explains it.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

good point... when I wrote the first post I intended to say something like that. but I just "skipped"... On Honkin on bobo tour, songs like dream on showed how he gives everything he has to sing... and he reaches the high notes, missing 2 or 3 on the next part of the song... but, still, is muck better than jon's voice... and he is 60's...
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KZ400

You know, I always thought they sounded "too high" for them being recorded 87-93. Thanks for the info. And I prefer them live era versions any day to most of the bootlegs I´ve heard from late 80's and early 90's.

About them vocals again....

I've been just listening through few Mötley Crüe boots from recent tour, and I am amazed finding out how well Vince Neil reaches them notes. As u know or don't know, Mr. Neil sure hasn't been a person who cherishes his voice (or his physical condition).....but still it's all there. Power, range, the overall performance.

So what about Jon. Ok he does smoke, but that for sure isn't the only explanation for his spiritless performances. I'm more convinced that Jon simple isn't that interested in music, most of all, performing it live. When one loses passion for what one does, it for sure shows. I suppose I have said this time and time again, but performing just for the sake of performing doesn't lead to anything good. If they keep on touring like they did past few tours, they're gonna end up like some damn Las Vegas freakshow, people going to see them, but not giving a shite about them. With every performance they give *not* putting some real effort to it, I am sure they lose more fans than they gain. Or, I should say they lose them potential new fans. Lotsa old ones love 'em no matter what as u know..........

my point exactly ....and I am probably one of those fans who love them no matter what THOUGH today I know it I dont see them flawless and perfect.... I know that so far noone (I mean other band) as yet replace the passion I lhave for this band
Though I am discouraged and feel like something is not doing right BUT i am still here and that counts ...but I am not blind I do feel like this sh!tty auto pilot thing will end up by destroy something ..there is a lack of passion lack of heat lack of fire inside and mosty of all lack of fun during the peformances I witnessed the last few years ... and even more SINCE 2003 and the end of the bounce tour ... the nuts /crazy passionnate fans will stay until the end and those fans are ( believe me) posting here AND even not knowing they are the fans who love them whatver the situation... to love somone is to be able to critic this somone ) ....as long as the fans will be mad and complaining it's still ok ... when the fans will just don't care anymore .... then it will be too late

I read an interview where Slash said Live Era is full of mistakes and they let them in becuse they weren't the band that had to play perfect. But if it's true that Axl vocals are overdubbed (people hate it when Jon should do it) in the late 1990s then I take back what I said because that is really impressive.