GUNS N' ROSES Guitarist FORTUS: 'Don't Believe What You Read'

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus has dismissed reports that the band's frontman, Axl Rose, nearly started a riot in England after delaying a concert so he could first eat dinner.

According to a report published in the Sunday Mirror, the 44-year-old singer refused to perform at a reunion concert at the Metro Arena in Newcastle on July 19 until he was given a roast lamb dinner, prompting fans in attendance to become very disruptive.

While the singer waited and eventually dined on his demanded meal, thousands of disgruntled fans waited an hour and 15 minutes for the performance to begin, the newspaper said.

"It was really hot and the crowd was booing because he was taking forever," GUNS N' ROSES fan Saskia Green told the Mirror. A security guard said the delay was caused by Axl demanding a lamb dinner before he went on.

Responding to published reports, Fortus has issued the following statement:

"To my knowledge, there was never a bottle thrown at the stage while we were on it. Newcastle (in my opinion),was one of (if not the),best shows of the tour. It was also the hottest! It was a steam bath! The fans were amazing, and seemed 100% with us the entire show. It was a really magical show for me, until the very end.

"During 'Night Train', someone threw a coin and it hit Axl and he stopped us and we walked off. We made an announcement that we weren't going to keep playing if anything else was thrown. Unfortunately, we came back, started the song again and the same thing happened. So we left. That's what this band has always done when people keep throwing shit. Maybe people were booing in the back. If they were, I sure as hell didn't hear it nor did I see it. Except for some asshole that ruined it for everyone, it was one of the greatest shows of my life. The Newcastle audience was amazing.

"The press reports that I've read made it sound as though we were bottled and booed off the stage, but as usual they are full of shit. That includes the story about Axl refusing to go on until he got a roast duck dinner. Complete bullshit. I know, I was with him. Blatant lies. Don't believe what you read kiddies!

"The fans have been amazing here in Europe. It's pretty overwhelming.

"I'd like to personally thank all the fans that have come to the shows. Especially the ones that didn't come as fans, but left as fans. Your emails and all the posts on the websites have really meant a lot.

"Oh yeah, one more thing. Izzy Stradlin [former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist, who has been making guest appearances with the current GNR lineup on their U.S. and European dates] is one of the coolest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. It's a pleasure to play with him and to hang out with him.

"Again, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that has helped make this tour so much fun."