Who Opens for Guns N’ Roses? A Look at the Band’s Opening Acts Throughout the Years
Guns N’ Roses is one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time, known for their high-energy live performances and hit songs like "Sweet Child O’ Mine" and "November Rain." But who gets to share the stage with these rock legends? Let’s take a look at some of the bands who have had the honor of opening for Guns N’ Roses throughout their career.
Early Days (1985-1987)
In the early days of Guns N’ Roses, the band was a staple of the LA rock scene, playing shows with other up-and-coming bands like The Misfits, The Mentors, and Black Flag. These punk and metal bands were some of the first to support Guns N’ Roses on tour, helping to establish their reputation as a formidable live act.
Rise to Fame (1988-1991)
As Guns N’ Roses’ popularity grew, they began to attract bigger acts as opening bands. In 1988, Skid Row joined the band on tour, followed by Warrant and Great White in 1989. These bands, along with Guns N’ Roses, were part of the hair metal scene, which was characterized by big hair, big guitars, and big hooks.
| Year | Opening Acts | Tour Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Skid Row | The Ritz Tour |
| 1989 | Warrant, Great White | Use Your Illusion I Tour |
Commercial Success (1992-1994)
The band’s commercial success with their album Use Your Illusion I and II brought them to new heights, and with it, bigger opening acts. Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots all supported Guns N’ Roses on tour in the early 1990s. These grunge bands were part of the Seattle music scene that was gaining popularity at the time.
| Year | Opening Acts | Tour Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Soundgarden, Alice in Chains | Use Your Illusion II Tour |
| 1993 | Stone Temple Pilots | Get in the Ring Tour |
Hiatus and Reunions (1995-2016)
Following the Use Your Illusion Tour, Guns N’ Roses went on hiatus, and the band members pursued solo projects. When they reunited in 2006, they brought along new opening acts like Nikki Sixx‘s Sixx:A.M. and The Dead Weather.
| Year | Opening Acts | Tour Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Sixx:A.M. | Chinese Democracy Tour |
| 2012 | The Dead Weather | Welcome to the Jungle Tour |
| 2016 | Royal Blood | Not in This Lifetime… Tour |
Recent Years (2017-Present)
In recent years, Guns N’ Roses has been touring extensively, and they’ve brought along a diverse range of opening acts. The Kills, Lenny Kravitz, and The Struts have all supported the band on tour.
| Year | Opening Acts | Tour Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Kills | Not in This Lifetime… Tour |
| 2019 | Lenny Kravitz | Not in This Lifetime… Tour |
| 2020 | The Struts | Not in This Lifetime… Tour |
In conclusion, Guns N’ Roses has had a long and varied history of opening acts, from punk and metal bands in their early days to grunge and alternative acts in the 1990s. Whether it’s been big-name rock bands or up-and-coming acts, Guns N’ Roses has consistently brought along talented openers to share the stage with them.
