Few bands in the long, wild history of rock made it as big and as fast as Guns N’ Roses. Their debut, Appetite for Destruction, remains one of the the best-selling albums of all time, moving 18 million copies in the United States. Four other GNR albums have reached 5 million. Even in the band’s low points, they remained a live juggernaut, and their lasting appeal continues to fuel a successful world tour. They’ve been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and included on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Today, an entire generation born after Appetite was released goes to their shows and streams their music. This unofficial fan guide tells the whole story—from the band’s formation to the making of fan-favorite tracks to the epic saga of Chinese Democracy. So welcome to the jungle. And enter at your own risk.
GUNS N’ ROSES
WHY WE LOVE GNR • DANGER IS HALF THE FUN
CHAPTER 1 FUN ’N GAMES • GUNS N’ ROSES CAME TOGETHER AFTER TWO BANDS—L.A. GUNS AND HOLLYWOOD ROSE—SPLIT APART
CHAPTER 2 APPETITE FOR DOMINATION • GUNS N’ ROSES SHOT TO SUPERSTARDOM
CHAPTER 3 FAN FAVORITES • THE STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS
AXL ROSE
CHAPTER 4 THE MOST DANGEROUS BAND IN THE WORLD • AT THEIR PEAK, THE BAND HAD A NOTORIOUS REPUTATION
SLASH
CHAPTER 5 LIVE AND LET DIE • GNR WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD, BUT DRUGS AND TENSION LED TO PROBLEMS
IZZY STRADLIN
CHAPTER 6 THE MOST EXPENSIVE ROCK ALBUM—EVER • THE STORY OF CHINESE DEMOCRACY
DUFF MCKAGAN
CHAPTER 7 NOT IN THIS LIFETIME • THE BAND’S LONG HISTORY OF BREAKUPS LED TO A RECONCILIATION
STEVEN ADLER
CHAPTER 8 TAKE ME HOME • THE LEGACY OF GNR
Guns N’ Roses - The Unofficial Fan Guide
PHOTO CREDITS