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Guns N' Roses
If all this happened you'd probably conclude the group had an appetite for destruction. But the above are but a few highlights in the Guns N' Roses legend.
At seventeen, former choirboy William Bailey decided to change his last name to Rose, his dad's last name. Bailey was his step-father's name. Picking up the Axl handle, as a tribute to some former bands, Rose headed for the land of music opportunity, L.A., to connect with his friend Izzy Stradlin. They hooked up with Tracii Guns becoming the L.A. Guns. Eventually, Guns left and guitarist Slash (Saul Hudson), drummer Steven Adler and bassist Duff McKagen signed on.
In '86, Guns N' Roses recorded an EP for the Uzi/Suicide label, "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide." That effort paid double dividends. It brought them to the attention of Geffen Records and got a spot opening for Iron Maiden. This was where Rose lost his voice. Their major label debut "Appetite for Destruction" was a monster selling six million copies before the dust settled. "Sweet Child O' Mine," written about Axl's girlfriend and future ex-wife, Erin Everly, rode heavy-duty vocals and a blistering guitar solo straight to the top. They followed that up with the Metal frenzy of "Welcome To The Jungle" and a tour supporting Aerosmith. Here's when they had to restrict their substance abuse. Soon Guns N' Roses were headliners.
Guns N' Roses always managed to find controversy. There were those pesky arrests for disorderly conduct or public disturbance. During various performances or awards shows, a band member or two would show up intoxicated and say something that got everybody riled. Angered by something, usually insignificant, band members routinely announced they were leaving. There was a lot of press but nothing came of it. Rose held up his end by winning Rolling Stone magazine's Worst Male Rock Singer and Worst Dressed awards. He "contributed" to a riot during a Maryland show that resulted in arrests, property damage and the cancellation of a couple Guns N' Roses shows. There was also the long-standing dispute over Alder's departure from the band in '90 (he was replaced by Matt Sorum, formerly of the Cult). A year later, Adler claimed in court that he had been forced out and cheated out of royalty payments. '91 also saw the arrival of "Use Your Illusion I & II." The two CDs were released simultaneously and held the #1 and #2 album spots in the U.S. No other Rock artist had ever accomplished that. Each would move seven million copies. "November Rain" was the obligatory Rock ballad hit.
Next up was the covers CD "The Spaghetti Incident." Guns N' Roses had done covers before but not to this extent. It was another commercial success. Then Erin Everly went public and accused Rose of abuse. Boy, that was a shocker. As the mid-90's arrived, Guns N' Roses halted with Slash sliding into Slash's Snakepit. That adventure caused Rose to announce that Slash was no longer in the group. So much for that - and Guns N' Roses. Slash showed up in Velvet Revolver with former STP frontman Scott Weiland.
Following extensive, if unsuccessful, legal maneuvering by the group, they weren't consulted regarding song selection or track sequencing, "Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits" came out in '04.
"Sweet Child O' Mine" driven by Slash and Stradlin's guitars and Rose's wailing vocals is a Rock classic. "Welcome To The Jungle" is another hard-edged, mean-eyed Rocker. They are both on Guns N' Roses' '87 debut "Appetite For Destruction." Their first is also their best. The follow-up "G N' R Lies" is an eight-track mini-album that includes live material. "Use Your Illusion I & II," rolling out in '91, are the group's last major efforts. They manage a decent cover of Paul McCartney's pop ""Live and Let Die" and the mournful "November Rain." The covers CD, "The Spaghetti Incident," includes a song written by Charles Manson. Stradlin is gone and the group is finding trouble around every corner. The toll is evident.
"Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits" is just what you'd expect.
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