Axl Rose has amassed quite a few detractors over the years based on his late arrivals to the stage – or in the instance of a 2002 show in Philadelphia, not showing up at all. On that fateful night in 2002, when the crowd found out Guns N’ Roses wouldn’t be taking the stage, a riot erupted, resulting in several fans being sent to the hospital.

Ten years later, Axl Rose was back in Philadelphia last night (Feb. 27) playing at the Electric Factory during GN’R’s intimate club run. During the show, Axl took some time to comment on the 2002 event, saying that the facts were misconstrued. According to Rose, he did indeed cancel the show early that morning through his manager. Apparently, word of the cancelation never made it to the promoter. Axl told the crowd, “I have to shut up. I did cancel the first show at about six in the morning. My manager told me he canceled it and then didn’t. And then Clear Channel wanted us to f— up, because they wanted to end the tour because they had some s–t going on in Florida or something. I don’t know, a whole bunch of bulls–t.”

While not exactly clarifying the situation, Rose went on to explain, “I got really sick; it had nothing to do with fur coats and basketball games, you know. I love Philly. I came to play here a few times and I really liked it.”

Rose, who didn’t exempt himself from all of the blame, said that he made a conscious effort to add a club date in Philly to their run, explaining, “Okay we’re going to risk it, what if we can throw in a show in Philly? So it’s good to be here. I want to apologize for my part of that. You know, so, I’m not saying I’m innocent.” The band then launched into ‘You Could Be Mine’ to thunderous applause.

The current Guns N’ Roses tour run ends on March 3 in Lake Buena Vista, Fl.

Watch Axl Rose Apologize to the Crowd at the Electric Company in Philadelphia

More From KLAQ El Paso