When Guns N’ Roses first hit MTV, they moved an entire nation to run out to pick up leather pants, top hats, and Gibson Les Pauls. The Los Angeles metal band’s legacy is so great that more than two decades later their leader Axl Rose is so in awe of their classic Appetite for Destruction album that he’s been seemingly caught in a state of musical paralysis. Perhaps it would serve him well to glance over this primer and reconnect with GN’R’s roots, namely the acts that ignited the group’s wild-eyed collision of glam, punk, and glorious pomposity.
Sex Pistols “Anarchy in the U.K.”
Not only does the guitar intro sound like a more primitive take on the chords that announce “Welcome to the Jungle,” but the thrilling sense of shock and doom of this track obviously made a big impression on the young Guns. Axl even frequently borrowed Johnny Rotten’s evil sneer.
New York Dolls “Personality Crisis”
The tight leather, the manic hair, the serpentine dance moves. Guns N’ Roses smartly realized that coming up with a classic record was only half the battle―you also had to look like proper rock stars to make any kind of substantial impression.
Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Although the songs on Appetite were quite lean, you could tell that the band was reaching for something bigger. The pop sheen, monster choruses, and shifting arrangements of Freddie Mercury’s multi-platinum quartet pointed the way forward, as evidenced by future epics like “November Rain” and “Civil War.”
Hanoi Rocks “Tragedy”
One of the biggest influences on Axl Rose’s stage persona was Finnish glam rock band Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe, whose haircut he replicated for his iconic Rolling Stone cover and moves he recreated every night in front of thousands of people. Axl later repayed the favor by appearing in Michael’s solo video of “Dead, Jail or Rock ’n’ Roll.”
Elton John “Tiny Dancer”
No one does slow-building piano rock ballads like Elton John, except, of course, Guns N’ Roses. Despite accusations of homophobia, Axl Rose and the band proudly appeared alongside their childhood hero at the MTV Awards to debut “November Rain,” where Slash respectfully jumped on top of Elton’s piano. Awesome!