They were the epitome of sleaze rock at its very height, and managed to survive (by a few years, anyway) the wave of alternative rock that crested in the early nineties and was fueled by the breakthrough hit that was Nirvana's Nevermind. While every other 80s band not named Metallica was buried, they managed to have the biggest tour of 92-93. They were chock full on controversy and offensive to parents, teachers, and the PRMC, but that's what made them so entertaining - that, and the fact that while their run at the top was less than a decade, they were good enough to be the next coming of the Rolling Stones. Yes, Guns N' Roses showed up late for gigs, were often drunk on stage, started riots, and had, in their later years, a revolving door line-up (actually, they had that from the time the band parted ways with founding guitarist Traci Gunns and picked up some guy named Slash). They mixed up radio-unfriendly, lengthy ballads with straight up hard rock tunes, and by the mid-90s, when the band had basically imploded, lead singer Axl Rose was considered somewhere between Ted Bundy and the Devil for his supposed break up of the band and rock star prima donna behaviour (the former should not be completely laid at his feet: Bassist Duff McKagan nearly drank himself to death, and guitarist Slash was a drug and booze fueled train wreck himself; Rose, who sobered up first, opted to take control of a sinking ship for better or for worse). Their music, especially the hits, has stood the test of time however: Welcome to the Jungle. Paradise City. Sweet Child O' Mine. Patience. Don't Cry. November Rain. You Could Be Mine. Plus popular covers like Knockin' On Heaven's Door and Live and Let Die. They also had tracks that shocked - at least seven of which remain shocking today. Don't believe us? Then you're crazy - but lets hop aboard the night-train and take a look.
Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.
