The start of rock band Guns N’ Roses’ first North American tour since 1993 has turned into a disaster as angry fans rioted when lead singer Axl Rose (news) failed to show up for the concert.
Dozens of people threw rocks at police and security guards and smashed windows at the General Motors Place arena in downtown Vancouver late on Thursday, when promoters canceled the show at the last minute.
“Axl is going to pay,” one man could be heard yelling at a television camera as a group of fans in the background were seen ramming a bicycle rack into the arena’s doors, breaking the glass.
Concert promoters said Rose was unable to get to Vancouver because of airplane problems in California. Vancouver was supposed to be the first stop in the band’s tour to promote their soon-to-be released “Chinese Democracy” album. The band is scheduled to play Friday night in Tacoma, Washington.