Guns N Roses Rockstar Axl Rose Dead At 45

July 20, 2007
Nettra Pan

One of hard rock’s greatest frontmen, Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses (GN’R), died last night in his Malibu mansion from unknown causes. He was 45.

Rose’s assistant, Beta Lebeis, 46, found Rose’s body draped across the living room sofa at 6:30 this morning. He was surrounded by old GN’R vinyl records, wearing torn boxer shorts.

“He wouldn’t reply when I spoke to him,” Lebeis added, “That’s when I saw his face and knew I had to call 911.”

Malibu County Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Smith has been assigned to carry out the autopsy, which has been scheduled to start at 9 this morning. The results should be available by noon, Smith said. No other information regarding the cause of Rose’s death has yet been released.

Last August, Rose was diagnosed with having low blood pressure and low blood sugar. He has also been diagnosed as bipolar, and manic-depressive, falling into a deep depression in 1993 following the departure of his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Seymour. His half-sister, Amy Bailey, 40, says that this was unrelated to his death because of the medication he has been regularly taking for several years now.

“Axl has laid off of the rockstar lifestyle he used to have,” Bailey said of Rose, who at 16, was a “full-fledged juvenile delinquent”. Bailey last talked to Rose Sunday evening, “He was fine, then,” she said.
Rose’s other half-sibling, Stuart Bailey could not be reached for comment.

Rose was very close to his younger siblings, especially his half-sister. Rose claimed he and Bailey suffered from physical and sexual abuse from Bailey’s father, Stephen Bailey, who was also Rose’s step-father. Rose’s real father, William Rose, was murdered in 1984.
In 1985, Rose and former band-mate, Tracii Guns founded GN’R. As well as marking the decline of the popular hair-bands of the 80’s and the rise of the heavy metal band’s of the 90s, GN’R’s creation marked the beginning of Rose’s success in his singing and songwriting career. Of their 11 albums so far, 6 of GN’R’s albums have gone platinum several times over. Rose penned the lyrics of most of GN’R’s songs and co-composed many others. GN’R’s chart-topping singles include ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ and ‘November Rain.’ Before he died, Rose was the only original GN’R member left in GN’R.

Rose’s celebrity has also stemmed from his unconventional stage performances, controversial lyrics and rifts with band members. Fans and critics alike will also remember Rose by the tight-fitting, leather biker shorts, and bandanas he wore on and off-stage.
Rose was born William Bruce Rose Jr. on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette Indiana. Rose legally changed his name to W. Axl Rose in 1986, and got the moniker tattoos to his arm.

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