Guns N' Roses- An 80s band or a 90s band

[RichardNixon]

Obviously, they were popular in the late 80s and early 90s, but would you call them an 80s band or a 90s band? Van Halen's first two albums came out in the late 70s, and they released three studio albums in the 90s, yet people call them an 80s band. In terms of hits, GN'R actually had more top-40 singles '91+ which coincides with alternative rock's heyday.

Also, how you answer this question might depend on whether you are from the US, South America, or Europe.

[Smoking Guns]

80's band, though it was the late 80's.  They were formed in 85.  Though they were around in the 90's, they fit the mold better with bands from the 70's.  But they are and 80's band because of their nostalgia.

[avesia]

Yeah..That's a tough one...
I'd like to call them an 80's band, because AFD was the brightest part of their popularity, when Axl was still sain. Their style changed in the 90's as his ideals and way of life changed, along with the band members...

[badapple81]

They were at the peak of their fame 91-93 but if you asked most people in the street they would probably say '80s'. I got into them early 90s and GN'R toured here quite late (Jan 93) so I consider them early 90s for me.

[-Jack-]

'80s band. No one thinks GN'R when they think of the 90's.

[RichardNixon]

And when people think "November Rain" no one thinks 80s.

[-Jack-]

And when people think "November Rain" no one thinks 80s.

More people think SCOM.. not NR..

Im just saying.. most people I talk to think of GN'R as an '80s band.

[Johnnyblood]

Good question. To me they are absolutely 80s. They made a ton of money in the 90s, but the music wasn't as good and their reputation really sagged. From 1987-1989, the only significant criticism was about Axl being a racist and Slash and Duff swearing on TV. Nobody criticized the music. In the 90s their albums and their live shows were in question. They were bloated in both arenas. I know a lot of people here love the UYI era, but that means absolutely nothing in the clear eyed historical perspective. 80s, 80s, 80s. In the best possible sense.

[Falcon]

No question about it, 80's.

[RichardNixon]

No question about it, 80's.

That's kind of a knee-jerk answer, but when one thinks about it, it's harder to respond.

TSI came out at the end of '93 and debuted at #4 on the charts and sold 4 million copies world-wide. At the end of '93, where were Poison, Billy Idol, and David Lee Roth?

[RichardNixon]

To me they don't strike me an an "80s" band.

When I think 80s, I think:

Miami Vice
Pac Man
Bon Jovi
DLR

When I think early 90s I think:

Guns N' Roses
In Living Color
Beavis and Butthead
Pearl Jam/Nirvana/Singles movie

[RichardNixon]

ah, so GN'R are a band of the late 80s/early 90s.

Late 80s- Leather, AFD, headbanger.
Early 90s- Art, Elton John, Dolphins

[Falcon]

No question about it, 80's.

That's kind of a knee-jerk answer, but when one thinks about it, it's harder to respond.

Not for me, even though GNR had success during the early part of the 90's that time historically strikes a different chord for me musically.

[Johnnyblood]

The youngsters here obviously don't remember watching the air leak out of the GNR balloon between 1989 and 1991. UYI finally came, sold a bunch of records, and they made a boatload of money. But it was all based on the inertia of the Appetite era. So were they still a huge band when UYI came out? Were people paying attention. Yes, absolutely. Were they electric and untouchable they way they were between 87-89? No way. Not even close. It's foolish to mention those other 80s acts, because that's exactly what GNR and Appetite destroyed. They actually opened the door for Metallica's black album and, later, Nirvana and the entire alternative movement. That was the work of the 80s GNR. 90s GNR didn't influence anything, except as a model of something not to be.

[Walapino]

I would say 80's, they fitted better there.

[Nytunz]

They are in a waY Bouth! But i`d like to say a 90s band!

[gnr1967]

From what I remember from grade school, I feel like GNR's popularity as a band crystallized in the 1990s, but like Johnnyblood said, it was based on the inertia of AFD.  However, I'd like to think that GNR is really difficult to classify as either an 80's or a 90's band, since their music didn't really fit well into either era.  They definitely were not the "hair metal" bands popular in the 1980s, nor were they much like the popular music of the 1990s (alternative music, for example).  Their style fit most closely with '70's-era rock, but it's really hard to boil GNR down into any particular era. 

[Carlos_f_Rose]

  "87 - 93" 

That's the time GNR was succesful... the same time between two decades.  So it doesnt really matter if they call them an 80 or 90 band.

[RichardNixon]

From what I remember from grade school, I feel like GNR's popularity as a band crystallized in the 1990s, but like Johnnyblood said, it was based on the inertia of AFD.? However, I'd like to think that GNR is really difficult to classify as either an 80's or a 90's band, since their music didn't really fit well into either era.? They definitely were not the "hair metal" bands popular in the 1980s, nor were they much like the popular music of the 1990s (alternative music, for example).? Their style fit most closely with '70's-era rock, but it's really hard to boil GNR down into any particular era.?

Agree 100 percent.

[alex420gnr]

GNR is the band of the new millenium