[Cipher Hour]

Welcome to the Jungle

I know what you’re thinking. No, I’m not a psychic; but I can tell that if you’re reading a Featured Artist thread about Guns N’ Roses you’re either a fan or a skeptic. Guns N’ Roses is a band that is always constantly evolving, and for a time in history, they ruled the world (and perhaps they’ll rule again). But before we get ahead of ourselves, we have to start at the beginning.

Yesterdays

Arguably, the band Guns N’ Roses was born in 1985 when two hot L.A rock bands become one. A young Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin had been trudging through the music scene in a band called Hollywood Rose. At the same time, lead guitarist Tracii Guns and drummer Rob Gardner had been suffering the same trials and tribulations in the band L.A Guns. A spark flew between these men through a few meetings and gigs, and soon after the combination of Hollywood Rose and L.A Guns would give birth to the monster we know today; Guns N’ Roses.

The lineup was as follows:

W. Axl Rose (vocals)
Izzy Stradlin (guitar)
Tracii Guns (guitar)
Duff McKagan (bass)
Rob Gardner (drums)

Duff McKagan, a punk rocker from Seattle, flew out to L.A to make it big. He was discovered by Izzy Stradlin (his neighbour) and brought into the band to fill the role of bass.

For many months this version of Guns N’ Roses hit the town playing shows, writing killer tracks, and rocking the hard rock L.A scene. Things were looking up, and as time progressed Axl knew they had to start playing shows outside of L.A. Booking a few shows/tour for the summer, nobody could have guessed the reactions from Tracii and Rob.

As summer approached and the idea of leaving L.A to play gigs in other places was set on the table, Tracii Guns outwardly refused. What followed was a quick break up of the band; all over the issue of leaving L.A to do other gigs. Tracii took drummer Rob Gardner with him to reform L.A Guns, leaving Axl and the others with their mouth’s flapping in the wind.

With no lead guitarist or drummer, Axl and Izzy returned to Hollywood Rose licking their wounds. However, after playing a few shows, they struck a chord with two musicians in the audience; Steven Adler (drummer) and Saul Hudson aka Slash (guitarist).

Watching the show, Adler remarked to Slash that if they could get hold of Axl and Izzy, they’d have the makings of something magical. Slash agreed, and the musicians met. After a few phone calls (and getting hold of Duff to bring him onboard), Guns N’ Roses was once again living.

June, 1985

W. Axl Rose (vocals)
Slash (lead guitars)
Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar)
Duff McKagan (bass)
Steven Adler (drums)

This was the band that everyone knows today. With Seattle bookings still intact since the Tracii days, the band began their brotherhood together. From there, life was a whirlwind of gigs around California, writing, and partying. Life was good, but it was going to get better soon.

In 1986, Guns N’ Roses managed to impress a few Geffen big wigs at one of their L.A gigs. The issue of signing the band was a risky one. Not because of talent, from what they had seen they were quite impressed. Frankly, they weren’t sure they would live long enough to even record an album. Regardless, in March of that same year, Guns N’ Roses were officially signed to Geffen. Months later in August, Alan Niven was hired as their manager and recording began for the bands first album; “Appetite For Destruction”.

Interesting Fact:

Aerosmith Manager Tim Collins was interested in managing the band, but refused after seeing them trash a hotel room and get completely wasted after a meeting.

In December, after many months of hard work, Appetite For Destruction was finished. It was no easy task, as Alan Niven discovered while trying to keep the band alive and tone down the drinking and drugs. Geffen soon after, made plans to release the album in July of the following year.