GUNS N' ROSES BIOGRAPHY - MEMBERS, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Guns N' Roses are an American hard rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in March 1985. The band was born from the merger of two local acts - Hollywood Rose, fronted by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin, and L.A. Guns - with the new name combining both. By June 1985 the classic lineup was in place: Axl Rose on vocals, Slash on lead guitar, Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar, Duff McKagan on bass and Steven Adler on drums.

Signed by Geffen Records in March 1986, the band exploded with their debut album and went on to sell more than 100 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling rock acts in history. After years apart, Slash and Duff McKagan returned in 2016 for the blockbuster Not in This Lifetime reunion tour, and the band has remained a major live draw ever since.

Formation and Early Years

Guns N' Roses came together in Los Angeles in March 1985 when members of Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns joined forces. Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin arrived from Hollywood Rose, while the L.A. Guns side of the merger supplied half of the new band's name. The lineup solidified in June 1985 with Axl Rose on vocals, Slash on lead guitar, Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar, Duff McKagan on bass and Steven Adler on drums. The band quickly built a fierce reputation on the Sunset Strip club circuit, and Geffen Records signed them in March 1986.

Career and Breakthrough

Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), became a phenomenon, selling more than 30 million copies and standing as the best-selling debut album in US history. It produced three Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hits: "Welcome to the Jungle", "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine", the last of which reached No. 1 in September 1988 - the band's only US chart-topper. The follow-up, G N' R Lies (1988), reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 on the strength of the top-five single "Patience".

In 1991 the band released the twin albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, which debuted at No. 2 and No. 1 on the Billboard 200 respectively and have sold a combined 35 million copies. The epic single "November Rain" reached No. 3 on the Hot 100, and its video became the first 1990s video to pass 1 billion views on YouTube. Later releases included the covers collection The Spaghetti Incident? (1993) and the long-awaited Chinese Democracy (2008). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and contemporary press once dubbed them "the world's most dangerous band".

Fans of rock band biographies may also enjoy our Linkin Park biography, Coldplay biography, Machine Gun Kelly biography and Billie Eilish biography, plus our Rolling Stones' Mr Charm lyrics page for the Stones' latest single.

Members

The classic Guns N' Roses lineup, in place from June 1985:

• Axl Rose - vocals; born William Rose on 6 February 1962 in Lafayette, Indiana.
• Slash - lead guitar; born Saul Hudson on 23 July 1965 in Stoke, England.
• Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar; born Jeff Isabelle on 8 April 1961.
• Duff McKagan - bass; born Michael McKagan on 5 February 1965 in Seattle.
• Steven Adler - drums; born 22 January 1965 in Cleveland.

The reunion-era lineup took shape when Slash and Duff McKagan returned to the band in 2016 for the Not in This Lifetime tour. Alongside Axl Rose, the current touring lineup also includes longtime members Dizzy Reed on keyboards and Richard Fortus on guitar.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official music video for "Sweet Child O' Mine" below:

Frequently Asked Questions

When were Guns N' Roses formed?

The band formed in Los Angeles in March 1985 from the merger of Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns, combining the two band names into one.

Who are the classic members of Guns N' Roses?

The classic lineup, together from June 1985, is Axl Rose (vocals), Slash (lead guitar), Izzy Stradlin (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Steven Adler (drums).

What is Guns N' Roses' biggest album?

Appetite for Destruction (1987), with more than 30 million copies sold - the best-selling debut album in US history.

What was Guns N' Roses' only US No. 1 single?

"Sweet Child O' Mine", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1988.