In L.A., the dream sharpened. Inspired by bands like Queen, Aerosmith, and Elton John, he set out to become a rock singer. He formed a band called AXL, and friends encouraged him to adopt a new name—Axl Rose. Later, he would legally change his name to W. Axl Rose, reclaiming the surname of the biological father he never truly knew.
Everything changed in 1985, when he joined forces with musicians from the local rock scene. Out of that collision came Guns N’ Roses. After signing with Geffen Records, the lineup that would define an era took shape: Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.
When Appetite for Destruction was released in 1987, it didn’t explode overnight. Instead, it built momentum slowly through relentless touring, word of mouth, and the raw energy of songs like “Welcome to the Jungle.” Then came “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” and everything changed. The album climbed to No. 1 and ultimately sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling debut album in U.S. history.
Axl’s voice—wide-ranging, powerful, unmistakable—became central to the band’s identity. So did his intensity. As fame grew, so did conflict. The late ’80s and ’90s were filled with public meltdowns, internal band fractures, lawsuits, and infamous onstage incidents. His perfectionism and volatile temper earned him a reputation for being difficult, but also reinforced the sense that he refused to dilute his art for convenience.
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