36 years ago Guns N' Roses released their debut album Appetite for Destruction

On July 21, 1987, rock and roll band Guns N' Roses released their debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction. The album wouldn't get mainstream attention until the following year after the band promoted the music on tour.

Guns N' Roses original lineup consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Formed in Los Angeles in 1985, the band would sign with Geffen Records in 1986. The band's early persona of rebelliousness earned them the title of "the most dangerous band in the world." In 2012, the band's original lineup, with additional members Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Appetite for Destruction would peak at the top of Billboard 200 and become the seventh best-selling album of all time, based on RIAA certification and Nielsen SoundScan sales tracking. The album would include three top 10 singles, "Sweet Child O' Mine," the only No. 1 song, "Paradise City," which peaked at No. 5, and "Welcome to the Jungle," which would hit No. 7.

The album would receive mixed reviews from critics initially but would later receive acclaim to be viewed as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2018 a boxed set was re-released, earning the band a Grammy nomination for Best Boxed Set. This was the band's first nomination since 1993, when they were nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance for their version of Wings' "Live and Let Die."

The original cover art for the album created quite a controversy. The band wanted to use Robert Williams' 1978 Appetite for Destruction painting, whose title they got the album name. This image was quite graphic, and on the 30th Anniversary of the album, Williams talked to Entertainment Weekly about the controversy. The label would include this artwork inside instead of the cover as a compromise.

The band would then turn to Billy White Jr., the artist who created the official album cover of a Celtic cross with skulls representing each band member. White would team up with singer Axl Rose to create the cover art. Rose had the idea for the band member skulls, and the knot work in the cross represents the band, Thin Lizzy, of whom White and Rose are fans.

Guns N' Roses began their World Tour 2023, produced by Live Nation, on June 5 in Tel Aviv, Israel, at Park Hayarkon. After the European leg will head to North America, you can find all the tour dates and ticket information on the GNR website. The current lineup of the band consists of Rose, Slash, McKagan, guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Melissa Reese.

Welcome to Stairway to 11, the classic rock & golden oldies news and opinions site from the FanSided Network. Stairway to 11 is dedicated to providing top-notch classic rock and golden oldies news, views, and original content. This site also serves as a community for like-minded fans to catch up on the latest news and discuss their passion. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.