back during the "use your illusion" record and tour, they hired extra musicians, one is keyboarder dizzy reed. he has remained with axl throughout this time, although hes not an original member from the start.
even slash has said recently that axl more or less puts out a good product but it takes him a long time to do so, i think hes trying to do things as big as the band Queen, i see some similarities in the performance.
Slash and the rest of the original members are getting together and putting a band together, they are looking for a singer. should be interesting.
IMO, axls musical ability is excellent, but his personal problems and attitude really screw things up, making him difficult ...err impossible to work with, unless you do things HIS way. he has that perfectionist streak it seems.
drug addicted? he was the first member clean back in the old days, and forced other members to clean up. whether or not hes doing drugs now, no one here can say.
binge drinking? no one here can say for sure, doubt he is the drunk that vince neil is, and YES i can say for sure that vince is a drunk, inside info.
mental problems? its no secret that axl has some serious mental problems, i guess getting molested at a young age will do that to you. back in the old days axl admitted to doing up to 6 hours straight therapy session after his concert.
voice is shot? not IMO
never had one? not IMO, but other peoples opinions differ, IMO dont need a songbird voice to play in a metal band, ask rob zombie.
supposedly the NEW GnR is AGAIN putting on the finishing touchs to the new album, and it should be out in a few months ....wait and see.