Everyone loves Guns N' Roses, right??
Well... I didn't; but it was at no fault of theirs. I was raised under a very strict religious pathway and this was not on the radio stations I was permitted to listen to. I recall going to my hair salon when I was about 9 or 10 years old. The woman, named Sally, had Guns N' Roses tattoos, shirts, and other memorabilia around her station. She was telling me that she was excited to be going to their concert soon and she couldn't wait to her November Rain in person. I had no idea who they were, so I politely reflected her excitement and told her I was happy for her.
After my appointment, I later asked my grandmother who Guns N' Roses were and the response was "Oh, that's devil music; we don't listen to that." I was shocked that the sweet lady I had built a relationship with, Sally, was listening to something so horrific. I was taught not to judge the people around me, so I decided to leave it alone. I never thought to listen to the music and make the decision for myself. My grandmother told me what it was, and that was the final answer; I didn't question my adults.
Fast forward about 18 or 20 years down the road... I was a paramedic working a 24-hour shift with a musically intelligent partner. Every time we worked together, he would choose a radio station and he would try to teach me who we were listening to. Sweet Child of Mine came on, and I was listening to the music and enjoying the feelings it allotted me. He then asked, "Alright, who is this?". I absolutely no idea but I answered that I liked the song. He then told me the artists... "WHAT?!?! Who? Are you sure?!?" I exclaimed. Needless to say, my whole childhood into adulthood was shattered and I began to question everything. It was time to expand my horizons, and that is exactly what I did.
What I have learned this week:
Guns N' Roses was created when the members of two other bands merged together in 1985 (L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose); Geffen records signed them in 1986. There have been multiple members of this band that have been replaced or fired since this time. So, I began researching into a few names.
When the signing occurred, William Bruce (Bailey) Rose, Jr. legally changed his name to W. Axl Rose (The W. is legal because he didn't want to share his father's name, William). Apparently, Axl was raised like I was, in a very strict and religious based home. He started singing in the choir at 5 years old and had a group with his siblings that performed at the church as well. For having such a "wholesome" upbringing, he later was arrested a lot and even allegedly bit a security guard in 2006. Randomly, Axl owned a pet wallaby who he carried around in a sling until it was too big and had to send him to a sanctuary. He legally left GNR in 1995, recreated it, and then purchased the name in 1997.
Slash, Saul Hudson, was the lead guitarist for GNR, and got his nickname for always being in a hurry and getting things done. Some people say he got his nickname from cartoon art he would draw with a slash on them... but that was not what Slash gave as the reason in his Rolling Stones interview. Slash's first played instrument was the drums when he was 5 years old. He had officially died "flat-lined" 3 times by 2011 which led to him having a surgically placed defibrillator to aid his heart. He is most know for his top hat and curly hair. He left GNR in 1996.
Izzy Stradlin, Jeffrey Dean Isbell, got his nickname in high school from his last name. Izzy's first instrument was the drums as well. His first band was created with high school buddies and that included William Bailey (Axl Rose). He just barely graduated high school with a D Average, and was the only original GNR member to have his HS Diploma. He left GNR in 1991.
Duff McKagen, Michael Andrew McKagen, has been referred to as Duff since he as a toddler and explained that it was "an Irish thing". Duff is a left-hander, but plays his guitar and bass with his right hand. At the age of 30, he almost died when his pancreas exploded due to his excessive alcoholism. Duff recalls being asked, and he still believes, that the Simpson's beer is named after him, even though the creators deny this being true. He left GNR in 1997.
Steve Adler, Michael Colletti, was the drummer for GNR. He originally met Saul Hudson (Slash) in middle school after a skateboard accident when Slash stopped to help him. Steve began playing the drums in High School. He was fired and reinstated, and then officially fired again for substance abuse and inability to play the sets. Substance abuse caused him to have a stroke as well as many other issues and he was brought into the public limelight for his suicidal struggles. He was fired from GNR July 1990.
What I learned today was that incredibly talented people can get themselves into a lot of trouble, sticky situations, and trying a lot of substances they should have stayed away from. The music that comes from these individuals is heavenly, and not devil worshiping music... they are just people. I will continue to have GNR jam sessions in my living room and in my car.
What do you know about GNR that I did not list above?
What's your favorite song of theirs?
-Written by:Â Rebekah
