When Guns N’ Roses exploded onto the music scene in the mid-80s, it wasn’t just another hard rock band. Their trademark blaring guitar riffs, captivating lead vocals, and outrageous stage antics all combined to create a sensation that was felt throughout the world.
The group made a stunning debut with their 1987 album, Appetite for Destruction, and for a five-year stretch, Guns N’ Roses were one of the most popular bands on the planet. But after the success of two seminal albums—Use Your Illusion I and II —GNR imploded in the mid-90s. What happened to Guns N’ Roses?
According to Don Cazentre of Syracuse.com, tensions among the band’s members and their volatile personalities played a large part in their demise. Lead singer Axl Rose was known for his unpredictable behavior, often storming off the stage in the middle of shows. Former guitarist Slash commented that everything was “acrimonious” and that there was “combative” behavior between band members.
The band’s notorious drug and alcohol problems have also been cited as contributing factors. Musician and author Mark Kemp suggests, “Rose only allowed drugs and alcohol to become part of his circle if he genuinely trusted those that surrounded him. Cazentre writes, “None of the drugs could make Rose overcome his feelings of abandonment, betrayal and distrust, and that made for what can only be called a chaotic situation.”
The band’s financial disputes didn’t help either. Rose formed a corporation, Guns N’ Roses Inc., to manage the group’s income, but relations between the different members and management quickly deteriorated, leading to heated court battles and a lack of communication. With no resolution in sight, the members drifted apart.
Today, the only two original members of Guns N’ Roses remaining are Axl Rose and drummer Steven Adler. Slash and Duff McKagan haven’t been a part of the band since 1996 and 1997 respectively. Despite the absence of the former members, Guns N’ Roses continues to tour and play shows, albeit without the punch that made them so popular decades ago.
Impact On Music
At their prime, Guns N’ Roses had a significant cultural impact on the music industry. Formed in Los Angeles, the band drew inspiration from classic rock and brought together diverse musical styles. As author Murray Smith notes, “Guns N’ Roses, or GN’R, created a wild melange in the first decade of their existence, blending hard rock, heavy metal, punk rock, blues, and even a bit of rootsy Americana.”
The band also pushed the male-dominated hard rock genre forward, per the Washington Post. Guitarist Slash was one of the first frontmen of his kind to identify as gender-fluid. His look — which included long wild hair and no shirt — inspired a generation. Slash and Axl Rose became legendary figures in the rock industry for their signature, uncompromising sound.
Guns N’ Roses had a profound and lasting effect on the music world, leading the way for other hard rock bands. Their recordings, especially the classic “Appetite for Destruction,” remain popular today, and will be remembered for generations to come.
The Resurgence Of Guns N’ Roses
In 2016, Guns N’ Roses underwent a major revival when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted them into their pantheon of greats. Cazentre writes, “Rose, Slash and McKagan all took the stage together for the first time in more than 20 years to accept their award and play a few songs.”
But the reunion was short-lived. A month later, Slash and McKagan quit the band, citing “creative differences” with Rose. Rose continued to tour as Guns N’ Roses, but the dissolution of the classic lineup signaled the end of an era. Despite the breakups, the legacy of Guns N’ Roses continues to live on.
Guns N’ Roses Legac
The legacy of Guns N’ Roses is still evident today, particularly in the hard rock genre. Bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Metallica, and Bullet for My Valentine have all cited GN’R as an influence. Of course, the band’s spirit was keenly felt in the early 2000s, when nu-metal acts such as Korn and Slipknot emerged.
Guns N’ Roses remains one of music’s most exceptional and charismatic groups. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, their albums still top the best-selling hard rock and metal albums of all time, and their merchandise is still on proud display in the halls of popular culture.
Social Cultural Impact
Aside from inspiring generations of rock fans and musicians, Guns N’ Roses had an enormous social impact on culture at large. At a time when corporate greed, and pompous yuppies characterized the 80s, GN’R took a stand by wearing bandannas, leather jackets, and combat boots. Rather than blend in with the society of the day, they stayed true to their own voice and vision.
The band also excelled at expressing a raw, honest emotion, one that resonated with its audience. This was especially evoked in songs like “November Rain”, which spoke to its audience in a way that hadn’t been done before. As a result, the band became a powerful cultural phenomenon that managed to stand out from its peers in a unique way.
Axl Rose’s Influence on Singers
No discussion of Guns N’ Roses would be complete without recognizing Axl Rose’s influence. His distinct style — characterized by wide vocal range, gritty delivery, and a larger-than-life persona — has been acknowledged by both critics and fans. Rose’s presence sparked a seismic shift in the way rock singers delivered their performances, paving the way for artists such as Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, and Eddie Vedder.
Rose’s influence has extended to non-rock music as well. Pop stars such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Jessie J have all paid tribute to him as an inspiration, both with their vocals and onstage presence. Rose’s legacy will no doubt continue to influence singers from all styles for years to come.
Axl Rose’s Current Work
Axl Rose is still actively performing with a reconfigured version of Guns N’ Roses. The group just released “Not In This Lifetime… tour,” followed by the “Appetite for Destruction World Tour.” Rose has also been active writing and recording, and recently appeared on the hip-hop track “Rockstar 101” from rapper Rihanna’s album, Rated R.
Rose continues to be a powerful force in the music world, and one of the most influential rock singers of all time.
Guns N’ Roses Legacy
Guns N’ Roses legacy is an undeniable testament to an era when hard rock music was at its most rebellious and audacious. Over thirty years after their debut, the band’s influence can still be seen in the music industry as well as in popular culture. Rose’s impact on the genre will no doubt last for years to come.
The original lineup of Guns N’ Roses may be long gone, but their legacy is here to stay. They accomplished what many bands never could: to create iconic music that has stood the test of time.
