10 Greatest Hard Rock Frontmen Of The '80s

As the hair metal scene started to reach its apex, Guns N Roses brought everything back down to earth.

At a time when things were getting a bit too artificial, these guys were the real deal who packed as much punch into their music as they put into their chaotic lifestyle. Even though Slash may have been a magnetic stage presence on his own, there was no holding back once Axl Rose took to the stage.

Coming out of the classic rock playbook, Rose's antics onstage were one part hard rocker and one part punk, with songs that sounded like they could go flying off the hinges at any moment. Though most of Axl's appeal was in his throaty wail, the way he stalked the stage felt like you were watching a rabid animal being let loose for an hour or so.

Though he got a bit of a reputation as a diva during the band's Use Your Illusion period, Rose never disappointed when he did perform, leaving many fans absolutely shellshocked by his antics. Even when pulling things back for songs like "November Rain" or "Sweet Child O Mine," Rose knew how to dial in his approach to tug on your heartstrings rather than tear your head off.

They may have been dubbed the World's Most Dangerous Band, but when it comes to raw destruction, Axl Rose clearly had the biggest appetite.