Axl Rose loses voice, fans lose patience (+video)

Footage of Axl Rose performing the first date on a new Guns N' Roses world tour has fans worried that the legendary rock singer is losing his voice.

The Appetite For Destruction hitmakers performed at the Rock In Rio festival in Brazil alongside Coldplay, Metallica, Shakira and System of a Down.

But video footage of Guns N' Roses' performance showed Rose, 49, was having trouble with his voice, particularly during renditions of early hit Mr Brownstone and ballad November Rain.

"All you? can do is feel bad for the band," said one commentator on YouTube. "Axl Rose is a disaster," said another.

Critics suggested Rose's recent weight gain had contributed to his vocal issues, and a spokesman told Yahoo.com that "his time off from touring" might be to blame.

His bizarre wardrobe - including a bright yellow jacket - was also a topic for criticism.

Rose's voice wasn't the only controversial moment from the show, with Rock In Rio's organisers slamming the band for "lacking respect" after coming on stage two hours late.

The band, notorious for its tardiness, was fined over its lateness but defended its stage time in a Facebook posting.

"Love it Hate it Accept it Debate it - You want 8 o'clock shows go find F-R-I-E-N-D-S or hit a cinema somewhere.. or you wanna be informed go catch the 10-o'clock news.. this is Rock N' Roll! Treat yourself don't cheat yourself thinking you're gonna go to school or work or whatever you 'normally' do the next day.

"Oh and remember before you get high and never want to come down. 'you can have anything you want but you better not take it from me!' This is GUNS N' ROSES and when the time is right the stage will ignite. Looking forward to sharing that with rockers soon!"

Guns N' Roses embark on a full US tour later this month. They last performed in New Zealand in 2007 during their Chinese Democracy world tour.

Check out footage of Axl Rose performing at Rock In Rio below:

- Herald online