Flashback: Guns N Roses (article)

[jarmo]

Flashback: Guns N Roses

Appetite for Destruction
By Eric Van Metzke, Senior Staff Writer

Deep in the heart of the rock 'n' roll jungle came the direct descendants of the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, a devastating crew of gypsies and vagabonds that saved you from the perils of rock decadence - Guns 'N' Roses. The band's album, Appetite for Destruction, exploded on the scene in 1987, selling more than 16 million copies worldwide.

As the sirens begin to wail and Axl Rose's cry of "Oh my God" reverberates into the audience, "Welcome to the Jungle" rips into the speaker marking it as one of the greatest songs of the '80s. Its obvious message of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll excess designates it as the quintessential anthem for these Los Angeles misfits.

The album's first major hit, "Sweet Child O' Mine," gave birth to the epic style of songwriting that has threaded much of Guns 'N' Roses' career. The simple, yet sophisticated, opening lick, played so cleverly by Slash, unravels into a raucous rocker before coming to a whirlwind climax which leaves the listener feeling both euphoric and exhausted.

With its memorable chorus and virtuoso guitar runs, instant classic "Paradise City," was easily a huge hit, even more so when it was played live. In fact, this track became such a huge crowd pleaser that when it came time to shoot the video, they decided to make it a completely live performance. The result was an uncut masterpiece of music and video. Though edited, the CD version of the song has a similar raw and edgy tone. Upon finishing this track, one is left with an insatiable hangover. The perfect antidote comes immediately following with the raunchy introduction to "My Michelle."

Along with its many epic hits that have survived the various ages of music, Appetite for Destruction features a solid supporting cast of great tunes that fit perfectly together to make an intricate and ingeniously woven tapestry. Not only are the songs brilliantly crafted, they are ordered in such a way as to provide an intense, musical rollercoaster.

Each member of the band executes his talents and influences in various songs. Slash shows off his affinity for the blues in the sleezy strut "Mr. Brownstone." Axl Rose's fascination with Elton John and his pop-style writing comes out crystal-clear in "Rocket Queen." Based on the life of Elton John, the song starts extremely funky and later evolves into more of a pop-style love song.

Appetite for Destruction is a must-have for any record collector. Not only did it launch the short, but spectacular career of one of America's most outrageous and successful bands, it also gave birth to a number of unforgettable tunes. Emerging in an age of hairspray and smoke rock, Guns N' Roses could have been the next Rolling Stones if it weren't for its own Appetite for Destruction.

http://www.thedailyaztec.com/media/paper741/news/2005/05/12/Tempo/Flashback.Guns.N.Roses-951167.shtml



/jarmo

[Luigi]

Guns N Roses is and would've been ten times better than Rolling Stones. God, I wonder what Axl thinks when he reads an article like that?  

[Rhythm-n-Booze]

Rocket Queen being based on the life of Elton John?
Thats news to me...

[Dave_Rose]

Rocket Queen being based on the life of Elton John?
Thats news to me...

Yeah thats news to me as well

[Voodoochild]

I don't really think this is right. I guess there is a girl who was that Rocket Queen... Or was it the girl's band?
BTW, great article, jarmo!

[Rhythm-n-Booze]

I'm pretty sure i read that Axl said Rocket Queen was about a conversation he had with a girl named Barbie. Wasn't there a girl named Barbie interviewed on their Behind the Music? I wonder if its the same one...

[HK-47]

I think that the "Rocket Queen" comment is meant to imply that the music is based on Elton John's musical evolution, that's how it reads to me anyway. I don't think it's true though, I've never heard anyone even speculate that before.

[2NaFish]

that's a pretty shitty article. actually, it's a very shitty article.

[*Izzy*]

Axl wrote Rocket Quenn for a band named Rocket Quenn they didn't take the song so Axl put it on Appetite instead

  Izzy?

[DoubleTalkingJive]

It's no doubt that AFD is one of the greatest albums of all time and still selling today

[tonya_ytzerman]

"Rocket Man", Elton John. Elton John is gay, Rocket Queen. Could've been a misunderstanding/made up by the writer.

[Mr. Dick Purple]

Oh Whatever happened to those days when music were great?? AFD was my first rock record I'd ever bought so I think it's great to read that kinda articles.

[ppbebe]

Based on the life of Elton John, the song starts extremely funky and later evolves into more of a pop-style love song.

Interesting. It's original. maybe true too?

This is a university paper and the writer is a student?

[blasphemer]

I already emailed the crackwhore who wrote this article.   Appetite sold 16 million in the usa not the whole world. I know its over 30 million worldwide.  And that song is not about elton john where the fuck did that fucknut get his info.

[bad tripp]

omfg lets hang him because he got some figures wrong what a fucking asshole

[ClintroN]

thank you very much Jarmo

[Twisted Nerve 85]

It makes me wonder when I read an article like that. Will we see an article like that written about Chinese Democracy in 18 yrs?.........

Only time will tell 

[hyperionmax2003]

Emerging in an age of hairspray and smoke rock, Guns N' Roses could have been the next Rolling Stones if it weren't for its own Appetite for Destruction.

It's funny, I was watching the 100 greatest rock bands (or something of that sort) on VH1 and when they got to GNR (which was #9 I believe) Ozzy said that GNR "could have been the next Rolling Stones".

[Mr. Dick Purple]

I couldn't agree if someone tells that a band is the next something, cause It looks like it never gonna be better than that I do think that guns could've been the best band that walked the earth but I guess that wasn't AXL purpose, just to make music or who knows!! well I dont know so Im not going to get into details about that.
So i think that Guns Is Gonna be Guns N Roses The Best Band ever, not the next rolling stones, the enext led zep, the next Queen, they all had their time, just like guns I hope there's still time for GNR to be the greatest. 

[jameslofton29]

hey Jarmo, do you have that article from RIP magazine in July/August 1991 titled 'The Making of Illusions'? It kicked off the release hype. It was the best article about the band that I ever read. Alot of people here probably never got to read it. Maybe the next time you post an article you could try digging this one up.