Why “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns n’ Roses is one of the all time greatest rock albums ever!! In my humble opinion.
The year is 1987, heavy metal is goin’ strong. 1986 brought us “Master of Puppets,” “Reign in Blood,” “Somewhere in Time,” and “Peace Sells, but Who’s Buying?” By Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth. Music for me was peaking!!
No worries of the doom and gloom Grunge sh*t at this time.
Now comes 1987, Anthrax, King Diamond, Helloween, and Testament release some of their finer albums (“Among the Living,” “Abigail,” “Keeper of the Seven Keys,” and the debut album from Testament – “The Legacy.” All greats!
But then came “Appetite for Destruction!” (October 3, 1987)
Guns n’ Roses? Who are they? Is that two people singing? Is that really someone’s voice? What the f*ck kind of an album cover is that? The original I am referring to, not the cross with heads cover. Who is that freakin’ guitar player with the big hat, crazy hair, and no face? How does he even see what he’s doin? Wait a minute, it is just one guy singing! They do that great song? And this one? That one too? All on one album?!!!!! NO FREAKIN’ WAY!!!!!
But yes, it was all true. “Appetite for Destruction” introduced the world to Guns n’ Roses. Now a bit of a joke due to ego, and infighting. But at one time, they were one of the greatest, most influential rock bands ever. They set the scene for a new take on an old look in rock n’ roll, and a new sound. A sound that was not heard before, and since, and has never been duplicated. Many bands have tried, but no one did what they did, like they did it.
Today it makes me sad that they are seen at as a joke to most. Axl is deemed a fool, and ego maniac. Slash is the good guy, and he probably is. Steven Adler, even though far removed from the band for years, is still a mess, because of the band. The other dudes, Duff, and and Izzy, considered good guys too, but not really the popular ones in the band. But Izzy, I always thought Izzy had that cool Rolling Stones vibe about him, and I do like his song “14 years” on “Use yer Illusion.” And Duff, from what I hear (on Howard Stern), is a stocks whiz, and does pretty well doin that. Besides the GnR money he, and everyone is still collecting.
Guns n’ Roses were definitely one of the cooler bands to influence my generation. I am proud to have been there in the beginning, as a fan, and that I was able to see them for what they really were and not what they have become. Even yer grandmother knows “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” C’mon!
I still listen to “Appetite” on a regular basis. I say it proudly, and I truly love every song from top to bottom, that album really takes me back. It was one of my funeral albums I would like played when my friends come to check out my dead body, or Urn.
And if you don’t agree with me, I don’t wanna hear about it!! It was painful enough seein’ Gn’R with other dudes playin’ all that great music. And it felt a little soulless when the guitar player would whip out a “Slash” solo. It just wasn’t right. I can only hope they settle their differences one day.
I am a proud Gn’R fan!!
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