GUNS N` ROSES FIRST FLOWERS OF THE SUMMER SEASON
- Chris Heim, Chicago Tribune, 5.24.91

Excerpt:

In ancient times, the arrival of summer was marked by the appearance of a particular plant or the return of certain migratory animals. In more sophisticated realms, a scholar might follow the path of the sun. But these days, the patterns of nature and the universe need not be observed. We simply look for the start of the outdoor concert season.

Yep, summer is just about here, and that means it`s time to dig out the cooler and the old blanket (oops, looks like a trip to the laundromat might be in order first) and get ready to loll on the lawns, distracted and amused by everything from concerti to country, heavy improvisation to heavy metal. Reports suggest this actually could be a relatively slow summer, with few Really Big Names on the road and a host of package tours and dual-headliners being designed to lure in folks to fill all those seats and all that lawn space.

Alpine Valley opens the season and does so with what is being touted as one of the bigger shows of the summer. Guns N` Roses kicks off its 1991 world tour with performances Friday (sold out) and Saturday (tickets still available at press time). The band could also offer a sneak preview of its forthcoming album or, rather, albums. G N` R`s new double-disc set will be released as two separate records entitled ``Use Your Illusion Volume 1`` and ``Use Your Illusion Volume 2.`` The release date was originally planned to coincide with the start of the tour but has now been pushed back until at least July. Opening act Skid Row is also set to release a new album, ``Slave to the Grind,`` in early June.