WHERE'S IZZY?

CR presents the third in an exclusive series from Alan Niven's forthcoming book Sound N' Fury.

- Alan Niven

My name is Alan Niven. I am going to tell you some stories. Random rock'n'roll stories. Populated by an interesting cavalcade of characters. Among them are Guns N' Roses. I took them from the gutters of Sunset Boulevard to Wembley Stadium. I took Great White from the backwater clubs of Orange County to Wembley Arena. Along the way we all joined the parade of misfits and madmen that strut and fret their hour upon their stage.

Every story paints a picture. Of personality. Of an event. I hope that at least they will amuse. At best they might contain the germ of wisdom's insight.

Iz made the move to the city first. He packed his suitcase and went to lay the foundation of a band. Rattlesnake hide or not, you know that bag was worn and funky, not shiny, like a new Halliburton gifted from Aerosmith.

Iz was the first to take the Night Train out of small-town Indiana for Los Angeles. Axl followed Izzy once he was set up in L.A.- an easy move. He then retreated back to Lafayette. Couldn't hack it in L.A. according to Iz. He was relieved. He told me later he didn't want to deal with Rose, who he had known since high school.

Axl couldn't deal with small-town Indiana either so he moved a second time, loaded like a freight train with all his baggage. Iz was less than thrilled.

So it went. On the third date of the band's first national tour, supporting The Cult, Izzy knocked on my hotel room door. He brushed past me and flopped on the sofa.