The Chinese Democracy Years – 2005: Zzzzzzzzzzz

At the beginning of the year it was announced that Sanctuary Music Group – of which GNR manager Merck Mercuriadis was CEO – had signed Axl Rose to a publishing deal believed to be worth £10 million.

In late January, Tommy Stinson reported that the album was reaching finalisation and was currently being mixed down. The album was rumoured to be released in late spring followed by a tour. In late February, HMV listed a release date of May 25. At the end of May, another rumoured release date of September surfaced.

“Axl is still finishing up vocals on the record and I’ve heard rumours that it will be released before the end of the year,” said Richard Fortus.

Harpist Patti Hood, who’d worked with Pitman’s former band Lusk and toured with them back in 1997, revealed that she was working on the project: “I’m on a song called This I Love,” she said.  “It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard. I did the session about two and a half years ago. Axl was not present at the session but I met him afterwards.”

Allegedly, Geffen contacted Axl to discuss another compilation release to fill in for the absence of a new studio album. Universal were planning on putting together a Greatest Hits Part II package, slated for release in March. The compilation was eventually canned amid rumours that Axl wanted the new band logo to be on the sleeve and Slash refused.