Full History Of Guns N' Roses In Timeline From 1974

1974: Jim Croce Top Two Albums

In 1974, Jim Croce became the artist to have the top two albums. Guns N' Roses replicated this feat on September 17, 1991 with the release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

1984: Stradlin and Guns Sharing Residence

In 1984, Izzy Stradlin of Hollywood Rose was living with Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns, leading to Axl Rose joining L.A. Guns temporarily.

March 1985: Formation of Guns N' Roses

In March 1985, Guns N' Roses was officially formed by Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Tracii Guns, Rob Gardner, and Ole Beich.

March 26, 1985: First Show at The Troubadour

Two days after their first radio interview, Guns N' Roses played their first show at The Troubadour on March 26, 1985.

June 4, 1985: Finalization of the 'Classic' Lineup

On June 4, 1985, the "classic" lineup of Guns N' Roses was finalized when Steven Adler and Slash officially joined the band.

June 6, 1985: First Show with Classic Lineup

On June 6, 1985, Guns N' Roses played their first show with the finalized "classic" lineup consisting of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.

1985: Formation of Guns N' Roses

In 1985, Guns N' Roses was formed in Los Angeles, California, through the merger of local bands L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose. The initial lineup included vocalist Axl Rose and rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin.

March 1986: Signing with Geffen Records

In March 1986, Guns N' Roses signed with Geffen Records, receiving a $75,000 advance after turning down a higher offer from Chrysalis Records for artistic freedom.

1986: Recording of Live?!*@ Like a Suicide EP

In 1986, Guns N' Roses recorded the EP Live?!*@ Like a Suicide, which would later be included in their second album, G N' R Lies.

1986: Signing with Geffen Records

In 1986, Guns N' Roses signed with Geffen Records. The "classic" lineup at this time consisted of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.

January 1987: Recording Debut Album

In January 1987, Guns N' Roses entered Daryl Dragon's Rumbo Recorders to record their debut album, spending two weeks on basic tracks and a month on overdubs.

June 15, 1987: Release of "It's So Easy"

On June 15, 1987, Guns N' Roses released "It's So Easy" as their first single in the UK, where it reached number eighty-four on the UK Singles Chart.

June 1987: London's The Marquee shows

In June 1987, Guns N' Roses played live shows at London's The Marquee which were the group's first shows outside the United States and recorded for the EP Live from the Jungle.

July 21, 1987: Release of Appetite for Destruction

On July 21, 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album Appetite for Destruction, which underwent an artwork change due to its original controversial design.

November 1987: Rose Assaults Security Guards in Atlanta

During a November 1987 show in Atlanta, Axl Rose assaulted multiple security guards and was held backstage by police. The band continued the concert with a roadie performing lead vocals.

1987: Release of Appetite for Destruction

In 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. Initially, the album failed to gain traction, debuting at number 182 on the Billboard 200.

1987: Appetite for Destruction Tour

Throughout 1987, Guns N' Roses extensively toured to support their debut album, embarking on the 16-month-long Appetite for Destruction Tour. They headlined dates in Europe and the U.S., and opened North American shows for the Cult, Mötley Crüe, and Alice Cooper. During the 1987 tour, drummer Steven Adler broke his hand in a fight, and was replaced for 8 shows by Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.

May 1988: Duff McKagan Misses Shows for Wedding

In May 1988, bassist Duff McKagan missed several Guns N' Roses shows to attend his wedding. Kid "Haggis" Chaos from the Cult filled in for him during these performances.

August 1988: Riots and Fan Death at Concerts

In August 1988, riots nearly broke out during two shows in New York. Also in August 1988, at England's Monsters of Rock festival, two fans were crushed to death during the group's set by the slam-dancing crowd.

November 1988: Release of G N' R Lies Album

In November 1988, Guns N' Roses released their second album, G N' R Lies. The album included the four recordings from the band's 1986 EP Live?!*@ Like a Suicide and four new acoustic tracks. "Patience", the only single, reached number 4 in the U.S., while the album reached number 2.

1988: Sweet Child o' Mine Success

In 1988, "Sweet Child o' Mine" became a huge hit during the summer, reaching the top of the charts in the U.S. and becoming the band's only song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

1988: MTV Airs Welcome to the Jungle

In 1988, David Geffen convinced MTV executives to play "Welcome to the Jungle" during the network's after-hours rotation, leading to heavy metal and hard rock fans requesting the video and song en masse, boosting the band's popularity.

1988: Release of G N' R Lies

In 1988, Guns N' Roses released G N' R Lies, which combined an early EP with new acoustic songs. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and included the hit "Patience" and the controversial "One in a Million".

October 1989: Rose's Ultimatum at L.A. Coliseum

During the first of four October 1989 dates opening for the Rolling Stones at the L.A. Coliseum, Axl Rose announced that the shows would be the group's last if certain members of the band did not stop "dancing with Mr. Brownstone", a reference to the band's song about heroin use.

1989: Don Henley Plays Drums at AMA Show

In 1989, Don Henley of the Eagles played drums for Guns N' Roses during the AMA show while Steven Adler was in rehab.

1989: Steve Earle's Comment on Guns N' Roses

In 1989, country musician Steve Earle stated, "Guns N' Roses are what every L.A. band pretends to be".

July 11, 1990: Steven Adler Fired

On July 11, 1990, drummer Steven Adler was fired from Guns N' Roses due to his struggles with cocaine and heroin addiction. He later filed a lawsuit against the band.

1990: Steven Adler's Last Performance with Guns N' Roses Until 2016

In 1990, Steven Adler performed for the last time with Guns N' Roses until he rejoined them on stage in 2016.

1990: Adler's Dismissal

In 1990, Steven Adler was fired from Guns N' Roses due to his drug addiction and replaced by Matt Sorum.

May 1991: Manager Alan Niven Fired

In May 1991, Guns N' Roses fired their manager, Alan Niven, replacing him with Doug Goldstein. Axl Rose reportedly forced the dismissal against the wishes of some bandmates by refusing to complete the albums until he was replaced.

July 2, 1991: Riverport Amphitheater Riot

On July 2, 1991, at the Riverport Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri, Axl Rose assaulted a fan filming the show with a camera, leading to a riot. Rose was eventually found guilty of property damage and assault and was fined $50,000 and given two years probation.

September 17, 1991: Release of Use Your Illusion I and II

On September 17, 1991, Guns N' Roses released the albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. The albums debuted at No. 2 and No. 1 respectively in the Billboard charts, making Guns N' Roses the only act to achieve this feat until hip hop artist Nelly in 2004 and the first to have the top two albums since Jim Croce in 1974.

November 7, 1991: Izzy Stradlin Quits the Band

On November 7, 1991, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin abruptly quit Guns N' Roses. He cited Axl Rose's personal behavior, his mismanagement of the band, and his own sobriety versus the addictions of other band members as reasons for his departure.

1991: Live Concert in New York

In 1991, Guns N' Roses performed a live concert in New York, which was later featured in the Use Your Illusion (Super Deluxe Edition) box set released in 2022.

1991: Release of Use Your Illusion I and II

In 1991, Guns N' Roses simultaneously released their third and fourth albums, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. They debuted at number two and number one on the Billboard 200, respectively.

1991: Riverport Riot

In 1991, Guns N' Roses was involved in the Riverport riot, contributing to significant controversy surrounding the band.

August 1992: Montreal Stadium Riot

In August 1992, during the Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour at Montreal's Olympic Stadium, Metallica's lead singer James Hetfield suffered second-degree burns, leading to their set being cut short. Guns N' Roses took the stage after a long delay, but Axl Rose claimed his throat hurt, causing the band to leave the stage early. The cancellation led to a riot, injuring audience members and police officers.

1992: Axl Rose demands name rights transfer during Use Your Illusion tour

During the Use Your Illusion tour in 1992, Axl Rose allegedly refused to go on stage unless his bandmates signed over the rights to the Guns N' Roses name. Slash claimed they signed under duress, but Rose denied the claim.

1992: Plans for an EP of Covers

In 1992, Guns N' Roses initially planned to release an EP of covers, but later decided to record a full album.

1992: Live Concert in Las Vegas

In 1992, Guns N' Roses performed a live concert in Las Vegas, which was later featured in the Use Your Illusion (Super Deluxe Edition) box set released in 2022.

1992: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Performance

In 1992, Guns N' Roses performed three songs at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Activist group ACT UP protested their inclusion due to the controversial song "One in a Million". Slash performed "Tie Your Mother Down" with the remaining members of Queen and Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott, while Axl Rose performed "We Will Rock You" and sang a duet with Elton John on "Bohemian Rhapsody". Their personal set included "Paradise City" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". Nirvana declined to be the support act for the second leg of the Use Your Illusion Tour.

1992: MTV Video Music Award

In 1992, Guns N' Roses won the MTV Video Music Award for best cinematography for the music video "November Rain". During the awards show, the band performed the song with Elton John accompanying on piano.

July 17, 1993: End of Use Your Illusion Tour

On July 17, 1993, the Use Your Illusion tour ended in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tour lasted for 28 months and included 192 shows in 27 countries. The Buenos Aires show marked the last time that Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke played in the band, and the last time Slash performed with the band until 2016.

November 23, 1993: Release of "The Spaghetti Incident?"

On November 23, 1993, Guns N' Roses released their fifth studio album, "The Spaghetti Incident?", a collection of punk and glam rock covers. The lead single, "Ain't It Fun", featured Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe as a guest vocalist.

1993: Clarke Replaced by Stradlin

In 1993, Gilby Clarke broke his arm in a motorcycle accident during the tour and was temporarily replaced by Izzy Stradlin for several weeks.

1993: Release of "The Spaghetti Incident?"

In 1993, Guns N' Roses released the punk covers album "The Spaghetti Incident?". It was the last studio album to feature Izzy Stradlin and Matt Sorum, the only one to feature Gilby Clarke, and the last for Slash and Duff McKagan before their initial departure.

May 1994: Next Album Work Ends

In May 1994, Gilby Clarke said that work on the next Guns N' Roses album had ended.

December 1994: Release of "Sympathy for the Devil" Cover

In December 1994, Guns N' Roses released a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil". The song appeared in the films Interview with the Vampire and Fallen and was released as a single. The recording featured Paul "Huge" Tobias on rhythm guitar.

1994: Guns N' Roses starts paying rent on studios

In 1994, Guns N' Roses started paying rent on various studios to record, but according to Duff McKagan, no song was completed by 1997.

1994: Guns N' Roses album in the works since 1994

Since 1994, Guns N' Roses has reportedly been working on a new album, with Axl Rose as the only original member, but several producers contributed, incorporating new electronic and industrial elements into the music.

August 1995: Axl Rose Legally Leaves Band

In August 1995, Axl Rose legally left the original band partnership and created a new partnership under the Guns N' Roses name. He stated he took this step "to salvage Guns not steal it".

1995: Gilby Clarke's Contract Not Renewed

By 1995, Gilby Clarke's contract was not renewed and he was out of the band. Slash stated that Axl Rose fired Clarke without consulting anyone. Clarke later sued the band over the use of his likeness in Guns N' Roses Pinball.

September 1996: Slash's Ultimatum

In September 1996, Slash told his Guns N' Roses bandmates that he would leave the band if Paul "Huge" Tobias remained, citing 'creative and personal differences'.

October 1996: Slash officially quits Guns N' Roses

In October 1996, following tensions with Axl Rose during the recording of "Sympathy for the Devil", Slash officially quit Guns N' Roses. Rose notified MTV via fax, and Slash stated creative differences as the reason for his departure.

1996: New Material Recorded

According to Matt Sorum, by 1996, Guns N' Roses had recorded seven songs and had seven more in the writing stages for a new album.

1996: Guns N' Roses members guest on 'Anxious Disease'

In 1996, Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Izzy Stradlin guested on "Anxious Disease", the debut album by the Outpatience. This marked the last time the four classic-era Guns N' Roses band members worked together.

January 1997: Robin Finck replaces Slash

In January 1997, Robin Finck, touring guitarist for Nine Inch Nails, replaced Slash in Guns N' Roses.

April 1997: Matt Sorum fired from Guns N' Roses

In April 1997, Matt Sorum was fired from Guns N' Roses by Axl Rose after an argument regarding Tobias' inclusion in the band.

April 1997: Rolling Stone reports Guns N' Roses lineup

In April 1997, Rolling Stone reported that the lineup of Guns N' Roses was Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Robin Finck, and Chris Vrenna.

August 1997: Duff McKagan resigns as bassist

In August 1997, Duff McKagan, the last member of the Appetite for Destruction lineup, resigned as bassist for Guns N' Roses, citing the band's erratic operations and his desire for stability as a new father. The band had been paying rent on studios since 1994 without releasing a single song.

August 1997: Robin Finck becomes official member

In August 1997, Robin Finck signed a two-year contract with Guns N' Roses, officially becoming a member of the band.

1997: Rose purchases full rights to Guns N' Roses name

In 1997, Axl Rose reportedly purchased the full rights to the Guns N' Roses name. Slash claimed that he and bandmates signed over the name under duress in 1992 during the Use Your Illusion tour, but Rose denied it.

1997: Intended Album Release

In 1997, Guns N' Roses intended to release a single album with 10 or 12 songs in Spring of 1997, after recording seven songs in 1996.

1998: Writing and Recording New Songs

In 1998, Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Paul Tobias, Robin Finck, Tommy Stinson, Josh Freese, and Chris Pitman began writing and recording new songs with the intention of making multiple albums.

1998: Geffen releases 'Use Your Illusion' edited version

In 1998, Geffen released an edited single-disc version of the Use Your Illusion albums entitled "Use Your Illusion".

1998: Tommy Stinson replaces Duff McKagan

In 1998, former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson joined Guns N' Roses, replacing Duff McKagan. By the end of 1998, the new lineup included Axl Rose, Tommy Stinson, Josh Freese, Robin Finck, Dizzy Reed, Chris Pitman, and Paul Tobias.

August 1999: Guns N' Roses has recorded over 30 songs for new album

By August 1999, Guns N' Roses had reportedly recorded over 30 songs for their upcoming album, tentatively titled "2000 Intentions".

August 1999: Robin Finck leaves Guns N' Roses

In August 1999, Robin Finck departed from Guns N' Roses to rejoin Nine Inch Nails on tour.

November 1999: Geffen releases 'Live Era '87-'93'

In November 1999, Geffen released "Live Era '87–'93", a collection of live performances from various concerts during the Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion tours.

November 1999: Guns N' Roses releases "Oh My God"

In November 1999, Guns N' Roses released the industrial-styled song "Oh My God" on the soundtrack for the film "End of Days".

November 1999: Axl Rose Announces album title Chinese Democracy

In November 1999, during an MTV interview with Kurt Loder, Axl Rose announced that the title of the upcoming album was "Chinese Democracy", and that he had re-recorded "Appetite for Destruction" with the then-new band, substituting "Patience" and "You Could Be Mine" for two songs.

February 2000: Rose previews new songs to Rolling Stone

In February 2000, Axl Rose played several songs from the upcoming album "Chinese Democracy" to Rolling Stone reporters, including "Chinese Democracy", "Catcher in the Rye", "I.R.S.", "The Blues", "There Was a Time" and "Oklahoma".

March 2000: Buckethead and Brain join Guns N' Roses

In March 2000, guitarist Brian Carroll, known as Buckethead, joined Guns N' Roses as Robin Finck's replacement, and drummer Josh Freese was replaced by Bryan Mantia, known as Brain.

2000: New album due out

In November 1999, band manager Doug Goldstein stated that the album was 'almost finished' and was due out sometime in 2000.

January 2001: Guns N' Roses public appearance

In January 2001, after eight years since their last concert, Guns N' Roses made a public appearance with two concerts: one in Las Vegas and one at the Rock in Rio Festival in Rio de Janeiro, playing both songs from previous albums and songs from the then-unreleased Chinese Democracy.

2001: Start of Chinese Democracy Tour

In 2001, Guns N' Roses began the expansive Chinese Democracy Tour to promote their upcoming album.

2001: Slash's Ultimatum Revealed

In a 2001 interview, Slash's ultimatum from September 1996, regarding Paul "Huge" Tobias's presence in the band, was revealed.

August 2002: Guns N' Roses headlining festivals and concerts throughout Asia and Europe

In August 2002, Guns N' Roses played several shows, headlining festivals and concerts throughout Asia and Europe, including Pukkelpop, Summer Sonic Festival, and The Carling Weekend.

August 29, 2002: Guns N' Roses closes 2002 MTV Video Music Awards

On August 29, 2002, Guns N' Roses closed the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards with a previously unannounced performance, playing "Welcome to the Jungle", "Madagascar", and "Paradise City".

November 2002: North American tour organized

In November 2002, Guns N' Roses' first North American tour since 1993 was organized to support the album Chinese Democracy. The tour was met with mixed results and some concerts did not sell well.

September 2003: Eddie Trunk plays 'I.R.S.' on radio show

In September 2003, Eddie Trunk played the previously unheard track "I.R.S." on his radio show after being given the track by baseball player Mike Piazza. The band management responded with a cease and desist order for all stations that had a copy of the track.

February 2004: Geffen stops funding 'Chinese Democracy'

In February 2004, Geffen stated that Axl Rose's obligation to fund and complete the album because the recording costs exceeded all budgeted and approved costs by millions of dollars. By March 2004, Geffen had pulled funding from "Chinese Democracy".

March 2004: Geffen pulls funding from 'Chinese Democracy'

In March 2004, Geffen had pulled funding from the production of "Chinese Democracy" album.

March 2004: Geffen releases 'Greatest Hits'

In March 2004, Geffen released Guns N' Roses' "Greatest Hits", since Rose had failed to deliver a new studio album in more than ten years. Slash and McKagan joined Rose in suing Geffen to stop the release of the album, which was compiled without authorization from any current or former band members.

2004: Release of Greatest Hits

In 2004, Geffen Records released Guns N' Roses' Greatest Hits, which became the 8th longest-charting album in Billboard 200 history.

2004: Nelly Replicates Album Feat

In 2004, hip hop artist Nelly replicated the feat achieved by Guns N' Roses on September 17, 1991 with the release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Both artists debuted with the top two albums.

2005: Adler Recalls Firing

In 2005, Steven Adler recalled being fired from Guns N' Roses due to his drug use.

February 2006: Rose States Band Recorded Enough Material for a Double Album

In February 2006, Axl Rose stated in an informal chat with Rolling Stone magazine that the band had 32 songs in the works and had recorded enough material for a double album.

February 2006: Demos Leaked

In February 2006, Demos of the songs "Better", "Catcher in the Rye", "I.R.S.", and "There Was a Time" were leaked on to the Internet through a Guns N' Roses fan site.

May 12, 2006: Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal live debut

On May 12, 2006, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, who joined Guns N' Roses in 2006, replacing Buckethead, made his live debut with the band at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, the band's first live show in over three years.

August 2006: Slash and McKagan sue Rose

In August 2006, Slash and McKagan sued Axl Rose over publishing and songwriting credits.

September 2006: Warm-up Shows Before North American Tour

In September 2006, Guns N' Roses held five warm-up shows before commencing their North American tour.

October 2006: "Better" Featured in Harley-Davidson Advertisement

In October 2006, Guns N' Roses' song "Better" was featured in an internet advertisement for Harley-Davidson, coinciding with the start of their North American tour. However, the ad featuring "Better" was mistakenly uploaded online before being replaced by the intended ad with "Paradise City".

November 2006: Shows in Portland Cancelled

In November 2006, Guns N' Roses cancelled shows in Portland, Maine, due to limitations imposed by local fire marshals, according to the band. Axl Rose later apologized, linking the cancellations to the band's work on a new album.

December 2006: Rose Fires Manager and Announces Album Work

In December 2006, Axl Rose released an open letter announcing the firing of Merck Mercuriadis as Guns N' Roses' manager. He also revealed that the band would cut the last four dates of their North American tour to work on post-production for "Chinese Democracy" and set a tentative release date for March 6, 2007.

February 2007: "Better" Leaks Online

In February 2007, the 'final' version of "Better" by Guns N' Roses leaked online to positive reviews.

February 23, 2007: Recording Stage of Chinese Democracy Finished

On February 23, 2007, Del James announced that the recording stage of "Chinese Democracy" was finished and the band had moved onto mixing the album. However, this news also confirmed that the March 6 release date would be impossible to achieve.

March 6, 2007: Tentative Album Release Date

March 6, 2007 was the tentative release date for Chinese Democracy, first announced in December 2006. However, it proved impossible to achieve, and the album once again had no scheduled release date.

May 4, 2007: More Tracks from Chinese Democracy Leak

On May 4, 2007, three more tracks from Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" leaked: "I.R.S.", "The Blues", and the title track. These songs had previously been played live.

December 2007: Album Done, Delayed Due to Label Issues

In December 2007, Eddie Trunk reported that Guns N' Roses' album was done and handed over to Geffen Records, but was delayed due to issues with the label.

February 2008: Manager Debunks Delay Suggestion

In February 2008, Guns N' Roses' manager, Beta Lebeis, debunked the suggestion that the delays with the album were due to disagreements between Geffen and Axl Rose on marketing. She stated that the band was "in negotiations" with the record label and the album had been finished since Christmas 2007.

March 26, 2008: Dr Pepper Offers Free Soda if Album Released

On March 26, 2008, Dr Pepper announced a plan to give everyone in America – except former Guns N' Roses guitarists Slash and Buckethead – a free can of Dr Pepper if the band released "Chinese Democracy" before the end of 2008. Axl Rose expressed surprise and happiness, stating he would share his Dr Pepper with Buckethead.

March 27, 2008: New Management Team Hired

On March 27, 2008, the day after Dr Pepper's announcement, Guns N' Roses announced that they had hired a new management team, headed by Irving Azoff and Andy Gould.

April 2008: Industry Rumors of Album Release

Amidst industry rumors in April 2008, that a release was coming soon, regarding Chinese Democracy.

June 19, 2008: Nine Tracks Leak to Website

On June 19, 2008, amidst industry rumors, nine tracks purported to be from Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" were leaked to a website, but were quickly removed due to a cease-and-desist letter from the band's label. Six of the leaked tracks had surfaced previously, while three were new.

July 14, 2008: "Shackler's Revenge" Released Through Rock Band 2

On July 14, 2008, Harmonix, in conjunction with MTV Games, officially announced the release of Guns N' Roses' new song "Shackler's Revenge" from "Chinese Democracy" through the new game "Rock Band 2".

October 10, 2008: "If the World" Debuts in "Body of Lies" Film

On October 10, 2008, Guns N' Roses' song "If the World" debuted playing in the end credits of the Ridley Scott film "Body of Lies".

October 22, 2008: Chinese Democracy US Release Announced

On October 22, 2008, band management, Best Buy, and Interscope Geffen A&M Records issued a joint press release confirming that the US release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" was scheduled for November 23, 2008, as a Best Buy exclusive.

November 22, 2008: Chinese Democracy Album Release

On November 22, 2008, Guns N' Roses released their sixth studio album "Chinese Democracy" in Europe and Australia. It was the band's first album since "The Spaghetti Incident?" in 1993.

November 23, 2008: Chinese Democracy Released in North America

On November 23, 2008, Guns N' Roses released their sixth studio album, "Chinese Democracy", in North America. Several days prior, the band streamed the entire album on their Myspace page, breaking the record for most streamed album ever with over three million streams.

November 24, 2008: Chinese Democracy Release in the United Kingdom

On November 24, 2008, Guns N' Roses released their album, Chinese Democracy in the United Kingdom. Chinese Democracy debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 but undersold industry expectations, and the album's reception led to it being included on year end worst-of and best-of lists.

December 2008: Rose States Possible Future Album Titles

In December 2008, Axl Rose stated several working titles of songs for a possible future Guns N' Roses album while appearing on various fan message boards.

2008: Last Guns N' Roses Material Released Until 2021

In 2008, Guns N' Roses released their last new material until the release of "Absurd" on August 6, 2021.

2008: Release of Chinese Democracy

In November 2008, Guns N' Roses released the long-awaited album Chinese Democracy, featuring the title track as the lead single. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.

February 6, 2009: Axl Rose Interview with Billboard

On February 6, 2009, Axl Rose gave his first interview in nine years when he spoke with Billboard's Jonathan Cohen. Rose stated that he would never agree to a reunion with Slash.

March 2009: DJ Ashba New Lead Guitarist

In March 2009, Guns N' Roses announced that DJ Ashba would be the new lead guitarist, replacing Robin Finck, who rejoined Nine Inch Nails.

June 2009: Manager Irving Azoff Fired and Lawsuit

In June 2009, it was reported that Guns N' Roses' manager, Irving Azoff, had been "fired, then re-hired, then fired". Azoff's company later sued Axl Rose for nearly $2 million in unpaid fees from a concert tour.

October 2009: Guns N' Roses Sued for Copyright Infringement

In October 2009, Ulrich Schnauss's record labels Independiente and Domino sued Guns N' Roses, alleging copyright infringement for using portions of Schnauss' compositions in "Riad N' the Bedouins" on the album Chinese Democracy. The band claimed the samples were obtained legitimately.

September 1, 2010: Dublin Concert Interrupted

During a concert on September 1, 2010, in Dublin, Guns N' Roses was over an hour late arriving on stage. Axl Rose stopped the band in the middle of the second song, "Welcome to the Jungle", after bottles were thrown on stage. The band left, then returned an hour later to finish the show.

October 14, 2010: Duff McKagan Joins Band On Stage

On October 14, 2010, former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan joined the band on stage for the first time since leaving the band at The O2 Arena in London, England. He performed four songs with the group.

October 2, 2011: Rock in Rio Performance

On October 2, 2011, Guns N' Roses performed at Rock in Rio 4 during heavy rain, playing "Estranged" for the first time since 1993. Guitarist Bumblefoot stated it was the "worst concert he's ever been a part of".

November 10, 2011: Rose TV Interview

On November 10, 2011, Axl Rose gave his first TV interview in years to Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine of That Metal Show, discussing his whole career and the band's future.

December 2011: Duff McKagan Joins Guns N' Roses for Seattle Shows

In December 2011, Duff McKagan joined Guns N' Roses for two Seattle shows, and his band Loaded opened for Guns N' Roses.

2011: End of Chinese Democracy Tour

In 2011, Guns N' Roses concluded the Chinese Democracy Tour.

2011: Lawsuit Settled

In 2011, the lawsuit between Axl Rose and Irving Azoff was settled, after Azoff's company sued Rose for unpaid fees and Rose counter-sued, claiming Azoff sabotaged sales of Guns N' Roses' comeback album and attempted to force Rose to reunite with his former bandmates.

April 14, 2012: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

On April 14, 2012, Guns N' Roses were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Slash, McKagan, Adler, Sorum and Clarke reunited for the induction and performed "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child o' Mine", and "Paradise City".

July 2012: Surprise Performance and Tour in Israel

In July 2012, Izzy Stradlin joined Guns N' Roses for a surprise performance at a wedding in Saint-Tropez, France. Also in July 2012, the band toured Israel for the first time since 1992. Tour security was reportedly instructed not to allow anyone wearing a Slash T-shirt into the venue.

August 13, 2012: Las Vegas Residency Announced

On August 13, 2012, Guns N' Roses announced a residency at The Joint in Las Vegas entitled "Appetite for Democracy", celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Appetite for Destruction" and the fourth anniversary of "Chinese Democracy".

October 2012: Future Album Plans

In October 2012, Axl Rose stated that all the Guns N' Roses band members were writing, and the band recorded a lot of songs over the years, and that they would figure out what they felt best about regarding a future album.

October 2012: Acoustic Set at Bridge School Benefit

In October 2012, Guns N' Roses performed an acoustic set at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit show. The performance was widely panned by critics, and Axl Rose claimed an onset of strep throat hampered his vocals.

November 21, 2012: Vegas Performance Taped in 3D

On November 21, 2012, Guns N' Roses' performance in Las Vegas was taped in 3D and was later screened in theaters in 2014 before being released as "Appetite for Democracy 3D" on July 1, 2014.

2012: Axl Rose's "Not in This Lifetime" Comment

In 2012, Axl Rose made the comment "not in this lifetime" when asked about a potential Guns N' Roses reunion, which later became the name of the band's reunion tour.

2012: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2012, Guns N' Roses, including Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Slash, Steven Adler, Matt Sorum, and Dizzy Reed, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

August 2013: "Going Down" Leaked Online

In August 2013, the Guns N' Roses song "Going Down," featuring Tommy Stinson on lead vocals and Axl Rose on backing vocals, was leaked online. Bumblefoot confirmed its authenticity on Twitter. Spin described it as a country-tinged song with lyrics about keeping quiet if you have nothing good to say.

April 24, 2014: Golden Gods Awards Show and Rose Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

On April 24, 2014, Guns N' Roses, with Duff McKagan on bass, headlined the Revolver Golden Gods awards show. During the ceremony, Axl Rose was awarded the Ronnie James Dio lifetime achievement award.

June 7, 2014: Las Vegas Residency

From May 21 to June 7, 2014, Guns N' Roses returned to Las Vegas for its second residency at The Joint, titled "No Trickery! An Evening of Destruction".

July 1, 2014: "Appetite for Democracy 3D" Released

Guns N' Roses' performance in Vegas, which was taped in 3D on November 21, 2012, was released as "Appetite for Democracy 3D" on July 1, 2014.

2014: Ron Thal Leaves the Band After the 2014 Tour

After the 2014 tour, Ron Thal reportedly left the band according to a confirmed source within the band. There was no official announcement from Thal or the band at the time.

July 27, 2015: DJ Ashba Leaves Guns N' Roses

On July 27, 2015, guitarist DJ Ashba announced his departure from Guns N' Roses to focus on his family, his wife and his other band, Sixx:A.M.

December 29, 2015: Slash Set to Rejoin Guns N' Roses

On December 29, 2015, it was reported that Slash was set to rejoin Guns N' Roses, with a reunited lineup headlining Coachella 2016. Axl Rose's scheduled appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the band's future was canceled.

January 4, 2016: Guns N' Roses Officially Announced as Coachella Headliner

On January 4, 2016, Guns N' Roses was officially announced as a headliner for Coachella, with Slash and Duff McKagan rejoining the band. The Coachella festival confirmed McKagan and Slash were rejoining.

March 25, 2016: Announcement of the Not in This Lifetime... Tour

On March 25, 2016, Guns N' Roses announced the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, named after Axl Rose's 2012 comment about a potential reunion.

April 1, 2016: Warmup Gig at the Troubadour

On April 1, 2016, Guns N' Roses played a previously unannounced warmup gig at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Melissa Reese replaced Chris Pitman as the second keyboardist. During the show, Axl Rose broke his foot and used Dave Grohl's customized throne to perform.

July 6, 2016: Steven Adler Rejoins Guns N' Roses on Stage

During Guns N' Roses' show of July 6, 2016, in Cincinnati, former drummer Steven Adler joined the band on drums for "Out ta Get Me" and "My Michelle", marking his first performance with the group since 1990.

2016: Slash and McKagan Rejoin the Band

In 2016, Slash and Duff McKagan rejoined Guns N' Roses for the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, after years of publicly feuding with Axl Rose.

2016: Slash Returns to the Band

In 2016, Slash performed with Guns N' Roses again for the first time since the Use Your Illusion tour ended on July 17, 1993.

November 2017: Guns N' Roses Announced as Download Festival Headliner

In November 2017, Guns N' Roses was announced as the headline act at the UK Download Festival in June 2018, and they also won Top Tour/Top Draw at the 2017 Billboard Touring Awards.

December 2017: Not in This Lifetime... Tour Grosses $480 Million

By December 2017, the Not in This Lifetime... Tour had grossed over $480 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing concert tour of all time at that time.

April 30, 2018: "Destruction Is Coming" Teaser Campaign

On April 30, 2018, billboards and a website (GNR.FM) appeared with the tagline "Destruction Is Coming," teasing a countdown to May 4, 2018, and playing a snippet of "Shadow of Your Love." It was later revealed to be for a deluxe edition of Appetite for Destruction.

May 4, 2018: Release of "Shadow of Your Love"

On May 4, 2018, Guns N' Roses released "Shadow of Your Love" as a single, their first in almost a decade. A previously unseen music video for "It's So Easy" was released on Apple Music to promote the release.

June 2018: Guns N' Roses Headline Download Festival

In June 2018, Guns N' Roses headlined the UK Download Festival.

June 29, 2018: Release of "Appetite for Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" Box Set

On June 29, 2018, Guns N' Roses released the "Appetite for Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" box set to universal critical acclaim. The box set includes 73 songs on four CDs, seven 12-inch LPs, a remastered version of Appetite for Destruction, an EP of B-sides, a 96-page book, 12 lithographs, and memorabilia.

December 2018: Not in This Lifetime... Tour Grosses $563.3 Million

By the end of the tour in December 2018, the Not in This Lifetime... Tour had grossed $563.3 million, making it the second-highest grossing tour ever at the time.

2018: "The Spaghetti Incident?" Sales

By 2018, "The Spaghetti Incident?" had sold 1 million copies, making it Guns N' Roses' worst-selling studio album.

2019: Conclusion of Not in This Lifetime... Tour

In 2019, Guns N' Roses concluded the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, which grossed over $584 million, making it one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.

2019: Guns' Recollection of Band Formation

In a 2019 interview, Tracii Guns recalled the formation of Guns N' Roses, stating that the band was formed after Axl Rose was fired from L.A. Guns and they decided to start a new band together.

September 2020: Re-release of Greatest Hits Album

In September 2020, Guns N' Roses re-released their Greatest Hits album, including "Shadow of Your Love," and a vinyl pressing for the first time.

June 2021: Announcement of the We're F'n' Back Tour

In June 2021, Guns N' Roses announced they would return to the road with the We're F'n' Back Tour, touring the United States from July to October.

August 6, 2021: Release of "Absurd"

On August 6, 2021, Guns N' Roses released the single "Absurd", their first new material released since 2008. It was debuted onstage at Fenway Park a few days prior and is a reworking of a song from the Chinese Democracy sessions.

February 25, 2022: "Hard Skool" Physical Release

On February 25, 2022, the physical release of "Hard Skool" came out as both an EP and a vinyl single with different track listings, featuring "Absurd" and live tracks.

September 20, 2022: Announcement of Use Your Illusion Remastered Box Set

On September 20, 2022, Guns N' Roses announced a remastered deluxe box set of the two Illusion albums, Use Your Illusion (Super Deluxe Edition), to be released November 11, 2022.

November 11, 2022: Release of Use Your Illusion Remastered Box Set

On November 11, 2022, the remastered deluxe box set of the two Illusion albums, Use Your Illusion (Super Deluxe Edition), was released. The box set features both albums remastered, alongside two live concerts from 1991 (New York) and 1992 (Las Vegas), a blu-ray of the New York concert, photographs & memorabilia. It was preceded by a live version of “You Could Be Mine” as the lead single.

June 24, 2023: Guns N' Roses Headlines Glastonbury Festival

On June 24, 2023, Guns N' Roses headlined Glastonbury Festival for the first time. The performance received mixed reviews, with some publications calling it one of the worst headlining sets in festival history, prompting the band to cite technical difficulties.

July 2023: Greatest Hits Chart Performance

By July 2023, Guns N' Roses' Greatest Hits had reached 631 weeks on the Billboard 200, becoming the 8th longest-charting album in the chart's history.

August 18, 2023: Release of "Perhaps"

On August 18, 2023, Guns N' Roses released a new single, the piano-driven song "Perhaps".

November 2023: Guns N' Roses Sued for Copyright Infringement and Manager Sued for Sexual Harassment

In November 2023, Guns N' Roses and their manager Fernando Lebeis were sued by former photographer Katarina Benzova for copyright infringement and sexual harassment, respectively. Benzova claimed the band falsely claimed ownership of her photos and that she suffered unwanted advances from Lebeis during her twelve years working for them.