1992: Guns N’ Roses ends their Olympic Stadium concert early due to Axl Rose’s “sensitive larynx.” Fans go berserk, looting East End shops, overturning police cars, setting fire to anything flammable.  I was 6 at the time, but I recall seeing the newspaper and being appalled at the carnage inflicted on our fair city by out-of-control GNR fans. Then, my older sister sat me on her knee, played Appetite for Destruction, and introduced me to a little something called “rock n’ roll.” Whoa. No wonder they rioted. The Big O banned GNR for life, crushing all dreams of ever seeing the band live in la Belle Province.

Well, for once, the joke’s on you, Olympic Stadium. The $1.6 billion eyesore/ death trap is structurally unfit to host Axl and his rag-tag bunch of not-Slash musicians, so the Big O’s “lifetime ban” doesn’t really mean squat. Ha!

This Wednesday at the Bell Centre, Montrealers finally get their GNR concert, 18 years late. Sure Axl’s looking a little worse for wear, and Slash, Izzy and Duff are nowhere to be found. But Chinese Democracy, 15 years in the making, is the most expensive album ever, and according to reports, this GNR tour is actually pretty awesome.

Warning: Rumour has it that the wearing of Slash gear is forbidden inside the venue. Apparently, Axl has instructed security to confiscate top hats at the door, and anyone wearing a Slash t-shirt must turn it inside out before gaining entry. Sounds fishy, but I wouldn’t put it past good ol’ Axl. Play it safe and sport a red bandana instead.

Guns N’Roses, with opening acts Danko Jones and Sebastian Bach @ the Bell Center. 8pm. Tickets $49.50- 84.50.