Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Axl Rose

Public opinion and media debates around Axl Rose—discover key moments of controversy.

Axl Rose is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is the only consistent member of the band since its formation in 1985. Rose is recognized for his distinctive, powerful, and wide-ranging vocal abilities, earning him accolades as one of the greatest singers of all time by prominent media sources like Rolling Stone, NME, and Billboard.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1985: Felony statutory rape charges

In 1985, Axl Rose and Slash were charged with felony statutory rape after an alleged incident with 15-year-old Michelle Rhoades. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.

November 1987: Axl Rose arrested onstage for assault

In November 1987, Axl Rose was arrested onstage after assaulting a security guard during a show. He refused to apologize and was arrested.

November 1988: Release of G N' R Lies

In November 1988, Guns N' Roses released the album G N' R Lies, which sparked controversy due to the song "One in a Million" and its use of racist and homophobic language.

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1988: Release of G N' R Lies and Controversy

In 1988, Guns N' Roses released G N' R Lies, which led to significant controversy due to Axl Rose's use of slurs in the song "One in a Million".

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1989: Alleged sexual assault of Sheila Kennedy

In 1989, Axl Rose allegedly sexually assaulted Sheila Kennedy in his hotel room after meeting her in a New York nightclub, according to a lawsuit filed in 2023.

1990: Axl Rose arrested for assault with a deadly weapon

In 1990, Axl Rose was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting his next-door neighbor on the head with an empty wine bottle. The incidents with his neighbor inspired the lyrics to "Right Next Door To Hell".

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May 1991: Start of Use Your Illusion Tour

In May 1991, Guns N' Roses embarked on the two-and-a-half-year Use Your Illusion Tour, which became known for financial success and controversial incidents.

July 1991: Riverport Riot

In July 1991, during a concert at the Riverport Amphitheater, Axl Rose incited a riot after diving into the crowd to seize a fan's video camera, causing significant damages.

August 1992: Riot at Montreal Olympic Stadium

In August 1992, another riot occurred at Montreal's Olympic Stadium during a co-headlining tour with Metallica. The riot was triggered by Axl Rose's late arrival and subsequent complaints of voice problems, leading to him walking off stage. This resulted in an estimated $400,000 in damages.

1992: Rose's response to 'One in a Million' controversy

In 1992, Axl Rose conceded that the song 'One in a Million' reflected his initial perspective upon arriving in Los Angeles and that he didn't want to support racism but wanted to insult those who were trying to rob him.

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1992: Christmas Party assault claim by Stephanie Seymour

In 1992, Axl Rose was accused by Stephanie Seymour of assault at a Christmas Party, leading to a counter-suit after their separation in 1993. Both lawsuits were eventually settled out of court.

1992: Axl Rose arrested for Riverport Riot

In 1992, Axl Rose was arrested for his role in the Riverport Riot, which took place the previous year after Rose cut short a concert. Rose was found guilty of property damage and assault, fined $50,000, and given two years probation.

1992: Lawsuit from Riverport Riot audience member

In 1992, the audience member whom Axl Rose attacked during the Riverport Riot sued him for $210,000 in damages. Rose settled out of court for $160,000.

July 5, 1993: Alleged Ultimatum Before Barcelona Show

Before the July 5, 1993 show in Barcelona, Spain, Axl Rose allegedly delivered an ultimatum to his bandmates. Slash claimed Rose demanded they sign over the rights to the Guns N' Roses name to him or he would not perform.

1993: Release of The Spaghetti Incident?

In 1993, Guns N' Roses released the album "The Spaghetti Incident?", which failed to achieve the same success as their previous albums, and Axl Rose's cover of a Charles Manson song stirred controversy.

1993: Separation from Stephanie Seymour and lawsuit

In 1993, after separating, Axl Rose sued Stephanie Seymour, claiming she had assaulted him. Seymour filed a counter-suit claiming assault and battery. Both lawsuits were eventually settled out of court.

1994: Erin Everly files suit against Axl Rose

In 1994, Axl Rose's ex-wife, Erin Everly, filed a suit accusing Rose of physical and emotional abuse throughout their relationship. The lawsuit was also settled out of court.

1998: Axl Rose arrested for threatening airport guard

In 1998, Axl Rose was arrested at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, for threatening an airport guard who was searching his luggage. He was charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

2002: Riot in Vancouver After Concert Cancellation

In 2002, a riot erupted at Vancouver's General Motors Place after Axl Rose failed to show up for a scheduled concert. The cancellation led to significant damages, estimated at $100,000.

2004: Lawsuit against the release of The Roots of Guns N' Roses and Greatest Hits

In 2004, Axl Rose unsuccessfully sued to prevent the release of "The Roots of Guns N' Roses". Later that year, Rose joined Slash and Duff McKagan in unsuccessfully suing to prevent the release of "Greatest Hits".

2005: Failure to pay leased car payments

In 2005, Axl Rose failed to make payments on a leased car, leading to a lawsuit from the rental company in 2010 after the car was returned "severely damaged".

June 2006: Axl Rose arrested in Sweden for biting a security guard

In June 2006, Axl Rose was arrested in Sweden for biting a security guard in the leg after arguing with a woman in a hotel lobby. He was fined $5,500 and ordered to pay $1,360 in damages.

2006: Slash and McKagan sue Rose over publishing credits

In 2006, Slash and Duff McKagan sued Axl Rose over publishing and songwriting credits, which Rose claimed were due to a clerical error.

October 2007: Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock release

In October 2007, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was released, including "Welcome to the Jungle" and featuring Slash, which led to Axl Rose filing a lawsuit in 2010.

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2008: Rose Denies Coercion Claims

In 2008, Axl Rose refuted Slash's claims that he coerced the bandmates into signing over the rights to the Guns N' Roses name, stating that any such coercion would render the contract legally untenable.

November 2010: Rose sues Activision over Guitar Hero III

In November 2010, Axl Rose sued Activision for $20 million, claiming they violated an agreement by including references to Slash in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

2010: Lawsuit from rental company

In 2010, Axl Rose was sued by a rental company after returning a leased car "severely damaged" and failing to make payments in 2005.

2010: Image of Axl Rose taken

In 2010, a Winnipeg Free Press photographer took an image of Axl Rose, which was later reposted by Gauntlet under the headline "OMFG Axl Rose is Fat." In May 2016, Rose attempted to suppress the image via DMCA takedown notices.

2010: Irving Azoff sues Axl Rose for unpaid fees

In 2010, former band manager Irving Azoff sued Axl Rose, seeking $1.87 million in unpaid fees related to touring. Rose counter-sued, alleging mismanagement and sabotage.

February 2013: Rose's lawsuit against Activision dismissed

In February 2013, Axl Rose's claim against Activision was summarily dismissed, as he did not bring suit within the statute of limitations following the October 2007 release of Guitar Hero III.

2013: Lawsuit over microphone thrown into crowd

In 2013, Axl Rose was sued after a microphone he threw into the crowd at an Australian concert struck a man, causing extensive dental damage.

2014: Threatened legal action over Rapidfire recordings

In 2014, Axl Rose threatened legal action over the release of Rapidfire (his pre-Hollywood Rose band) recordings, keeping them from digital storefronts for a while.

May 2016: DMCA takedown notices for 2010 image

In May 2016, Axl Rose sent a series of DMCA takedown notices to Google, in an attempt to suppress a 2010 image of him that was taken by a Winnipeg Free Press photographer and reposted by Gauntlet, under the headline "OMFG Axl Rose is Fat.", leading to a Streisand effect.

August 2016: Chris Pitman sues Axl Rose for unpaid wages

In August 2016, former Guns N' Roses keyboardist Chris Pitman sued Axl Rose for $125,000 in unpaid wages. The two parties settled in November 2016.

November 2016: Settlement between Axl Rose and Chris Pitman

In November 2016, Axl Rose and former Guns N' Roses keyboardist Chris Pitman settled a lawsuit where Pitman had sued Rose for $125,000 in unpaid wages. Pitman's lawsuit began in August 2016.

2016: Sheila Kennedy mentions assault in memoir

In 2016, Sheila Kennedy mentioned being assaulted by Axl Rose in her memoir "No One's Pet", detailing an alleged incident from 1989.

2019: Michelle Rhoades's mother's boyfriend confirms event.

In 2019, Rhoades's mother's boyfriend confirmed that he picked her up, got her dressed, and took her back to her mother's house afterwards.

May 7, 2020: Axl Rose criticizes Steven Mnuchin on Twitter

On May 7, 2020, Axl Rose criticized Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Twitter for the Trump administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, to which Mnuchin responded.

2021: Sheila Kennedy details assault in documentary

In 2021, Sheila Kennedy discussed the alleged 1989 assault by Axl Rose in the documentary "Look Away", which covered women who claimed to be sexually abused in the music industry.

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2021: Concert in Pennsylvania

In 2021, after a concert in Pennsylvania, Axl Rose was sued in 2022 by a person who claims they were injured when he threw a mic stand in the crowd.

2022: Lawsuit against Texas Guns and Roses

In 2022, Axl Rose sued a weapons dealer named Texas Guns and Roses for "particularly damaging" name association.

2022: Lawsuit over microphone stand thrown into crowd

In 2022, Axl Rose was sued by a person who claims they were injured when he threw a mic stand in the crowd after a 2021 concert in Pennsylvania. After a third incident in 2022, Rose stated he would no longer throw items into the audience to prevent further issues.

November 22, 2023: Sheila Kennedy sues Axl Rose for sexual assault

On November 22, 2023, Sheila Kennedy sued Axl Rose, claiming he sexually assaulted her in his hotel room in 1989 after meeting him in a New York nightclub. The suit was filed in New York under the Adult Survivors Act.

February 21, 2024: Rose files to dismiss Sheila Kennedy's lawsuit

On February 21, 2024, Axl Rose and his legal team filed to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Sheila Kennedy, who accused him of sexual assault.

December 2024: Axl Rose settles Sheila Kennedy's sexual assault lawsuit

In December 2024, Axl Rose and Sheila Kennedy privately settled her sexual assault lawsuit with prejudice, with Rose denying the allegations.

2024: Michelle Rhoades comes forward with more details

In 2024, Michelle Rhoades came forward with more details, claiming that she was in a relationship with Rose when he was 23 and she was 15 and miscarried their child, and when going to discuss this with him caught him sleeping with another woman in an outhouse outside the studio.