Today marks the 30th Anniversary of one of the Greatest all-time rock albums with Guns ‘N Roses debut album, Appetite for Destruction. Released 21st July, 1987 it has gone onto sell 30 million records worldwide and counting and is still very relevant to this very day. Angst, punk and rock combine in a day when MTV ruled the world, the band piggy backing on their MTV success via the music videos, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Sweet Child O Mine’.
Charismatic, offensive, unpredictable, loud and downright fun the band went from tearing up the notorious sunset strip of Hollywood to becoming international touring stars in a few short years. From the anthemic heart starter, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ to their live stage encore closer ‘Paradise City’ there can be no doubting Appetite’s place amongst the greatest of all time.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg&w=640&h=360]
This album was a significant addition to any rock fan's collection at the end of the 80's and even throughout the early 90's, it would have been hard to find someone who wasn't cranking this on a daily basis (whether it be wearing the cassette tape thin or stealing it from a mate). As you can see in the photo below, the band opted to venture away from the traditional Side A and B on their Vinyl/Cassette releases and decided Side G & R would be better suited. The memorable classics are still to this day whored on almost a daily basis and are considered some of the most highly requested songs on commercial rock radio stations.
In Australia the album peaked at #7 on the charts and consequently resulted in the band making their way over here in December 1988, a year later, for three shows, Melbourne scoring the double slot and Sydney Entertainment Centre with The Angels in support. (See kids, even back then Melbourne and Sydney still copped preferences haha)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4&w=640&h=360]
Talking about the Appetite for Destruction Tour, if you were lucky to venture off Australia soil for one of the shows, chances are you caught the band opening for acts such as Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith and The Cult to name a few, 16 months the band spent on the road touring the shit out of it and still remains the ONLY TOUR which featured the original line up consisting of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler. Unfortunately, due to the rowdy and metal loving fans at shows, tragedy struck at the Monsters of Rock England show on August 20, 1988 when two fans were trampled to death when over 100,000 punters surged to get close to the stage, frontman Axl Rose tried to calm the attendees but to no avail. Following on from this various media outlets blames the band for the deaths.
What a legacy the band have left behind. Not a year goes past where you won't hear a song from this iconic and memorable album and it will live on for years, hopefully passed on through the next generations to once again pass on and keep alive.
Appetite for Destruction – 30 Years On – WE SALUTE YOU!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw&w=853&h=480]
