Who Opens for Guns N’ Roses?
Guns N’ Roses is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, known for their energetic live performances and hit songs like "Sweet Child O’ Mine" and "November Rain". But who usually opens for them? From legendary rock bands to emerging artists, Guns N’ Roses has had a long list of opening acts over the years. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of GN’R’s opening acts, highlighting some of the most notable and surprising ones.
Early Years (1985-1990)
When Guns N’ Roses first burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s, they were the opening act for several big-name bands. Some of the notable acts that opened for them during this period include:
• The Cult: A British rock band known for their dark, gothic-tinged sound and hit songs like "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Love Removal Machine".
• L.A. Guns: A hard rock band from Los Angeles, often compared to Guns N’ Roses for their similar style and sound.
• Gretchen’s Wheel: A Canadian rock band known for their catchy, high-energy songs and energetic live performances.
The Wild Years (1991-1996)
The early 1990s were a wild time for Guns N’ Roses, with the band’s success reaching new heights. As a result, they attracted a wide range of opening acts, including:
• Skid Row: A hard rock band known for their powerful vocals and hit songs like "I Remember You" and "18 and Life".
• Faster Pussycat: A hard rock band from Los Angeles, known for their flashy stage presence and hit songs like "Bathroom Wall" and "House of Pain".
• The Black Crowes: A blues-rock band known for their soulful vocals and hit songs like "Jealous Again" and "Remedy".
• Audioslave: A rock supergroup formed by Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), known for their high-energy live performances.
The Reunion and Beyond (2001-present)
After a few years of turmoil and controversy, Guns N’ Roses reunited in the early 2000s, and their live shows have continued to feature a wide range of opening acts. Some of the notable acts that have opened for them during this period include:
• Velvet Revolver: A hard rock band formed by former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Matt Sorum, and Duff McKagan, along with Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) and Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth).
• Def Leppard: A British rock band known for their catchy, anthemic songs and hit albums like "Pyromania" and "Hysteria".
• Poison: A hair metal band from the 1980s, known for their pop-metal sound and hit songs like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Talk Dirty to Me".
• Avenged Sevenfold: A metalcore band from California, known for their aggressive sound and hit songs like "Nightmare" and "Hail to the King".
The Current State of Affairs
In recent years, Guns N’ Roses has continued to feature a diverse range of opening acts on their tours. Some of the notable acts that have opened for them in recent years include:
• The Struts: A British rock band known for their high-energy live performances and catchy songs like "Could Have Been Me" and "Bulletproof Boy".
• The Darkness: A British rock band known for their theatrical live shows and hit songs like "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" and "Love Is Only a Feeling".
• Wolfmother: An Australian rock band known for their blues-rock sound and hit songs like "Woman" and "White Unicorn".
Table: Notable Opening Acts for Guns N’ Roses
Act | Years |
---|---|
The Cult | 1985-1987 |
L.A. Guns | 1985-1987 |
Gretchen’s Wheel | 1985-1987 |
Skid Row | 1991-1992 |
Faster Pussycat | 1991-1992 |
The Black Crowes | 1993-1994 |
Audioslave | 2001-2002 |
Velvet Revolver | 2006-2007 |
Def Leppard | 2012-2013 |
Poison | 2012-2013 |
Avenged Sevenfold | 2016-2017 |
The Struts | 2017-2018 |
The Darkness | 2019 |
Wolfmother | 2020 |
Conclusion
Guns N’ Roses has had a wide range of opening acts throughout their career, from established rock bands to emerging artists. Whether it’s The Cult, Skid Row, or The Struts, each opening act has brought their own unique energy and style to the stage. As Guns N’ Roses continues to tour and perform, it will be interesting to see who will be joining them on the road in the future.