Full History Of Guns N' Roses In Timeline From 1974

1974: Jim Croce Achieves Top Two Albums

In 1974, Jim Croce was the first artist to hold the top two positions on the album charts before Guns N' Roses achieved the same feat in 1991.

1984: Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns Connection

In 1984, Izzy Stradlin and Tracii Guns lived together, leading to Axl Rose joining L.A. Guns, which was a precursor to the formation of Guns N' Roses.

March 1985: Guns N' Roses Formation

In March 1985, Guns N' Roses was officially formed by Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Tracii Guns, Rob Gardner, and Ole Beich, combining members from Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns.

March 26, 1985: First Guns N' Roses Show

On March 26, 1985, Guns N' Roses played their first show at The Troubadour. Three songs from the rehearsal with Duff McKagan were played during the band's first radio interview two days before the show.

June 4, 1985: Finalization of Classic Lineup

On June 4, 1985, the classic lineup of Guns N' Roses was finalized with the official addition of Steven Adler and Slash.

June 6, 1985: First Show with Classic Lineup

On June 6, 1985, Guns N' Roses played their first show with the finalized classic lineup, marking a significant milestone in the band's history.

1985: Formation of Guns N' Roses

In 1985, Guns N' Roses was formed in Los Angeles, California, through the merging of L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose. The initial lineup included Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.

March 1986: Signing with Geffen Records

In March 1986, Guns N' Roses signed with Geffen Records, receiving a $75,000 advance and full artistic freedom, turning down a higher offer from Chrysalis Records because they wanted to change the band's image and sound.

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

In 1986, Guns N' Roses released the EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide which was later combined with new acoustic songs for their album G N' R Lies in 1988.

1986: Signing with Geffen Records

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

1986: G N' R Lies Includes 1986 EP

The G N' R Lies album, released in 1988, included the four recordings from the band's 1986 EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide as well as four new acoustic tracks.

January 1987: Recording Debut Album

In January 1987, Guns N' Roses entered Rumbo Recorders to record their debut album, with basic tracks recorded in two weeks and overdubs taking a month. Rose insisted on doing the vocals one line at a time.

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

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

June 1987: First Shows Outside of the United States

In June 1987, Guns N' Roses played their first shows outside the United States at London's The Marquee. The song "Sweet Child o' Mine" was released in Japan as part of the EP Live from the Jungle, which also featured a selection of live recordings from the band's shows at The Marquee.

July 21, 1987: Release of Appetite for Destruction

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

November 1987: Axl Rose Assaults Security Guards in Atlanta

In November 1987, during a 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: Appetite for Destruction Tour Begins

In 1987, Guns N' Roses embarked on the 16-month-long Appetite for Destruction Tour, headlining shows and opening for acts such as The Cult, Mötley Crüe, and Alice Cooper.

1987: Release of Appetite for Destruction

In 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. Despite a slow start, the album eventually gained mainstream popularity and became a commercial success. It has sold approximately 30 million copies worldwide, including 18 million in the United States.

May 1988: Duff McKagan Temporary Replacement

In May 1988, Duff McKagan missed several shows during the Appetite for Destruction Tour to attend his wedding, with Kid "Haggis" Chaos from the Cult filling in on bass.

August 1988: Riots and Fan Deaths

In August 1988, Guns N' Roses faced a tumultuous period marked by riots at two shows in New York. Furthermore, at England's Monsters of Rock festival in August 1988, two fans tragically lost their lives during the group's set due to the slam-dancing crowd.

November 1988: Release of G N' R Lies

In November 1988, Guns N' Roses released their second album, G N' R Lies, which included recordings from the band's 1986 EP Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide and new acoustic tracks.

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 receiving heavy airplay on radio and MTV. It is Guns N' Roses' only song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

1988: Release of G N' R Lies

In 1988, Guns N' Roses released G N' R Lies, combining their earlier EP with new acoustic songs. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and included the hit song "Patience".

1988: "Welcome to the Jungle" Gains Popularity

In 1988, the music video for "Welcome to the Jungle" gained traction after Geffen convinced MTV executives to play it during after-hours rotation. This led to increased popularity and airplay, and the song was featured in the film The Dead Pool.

October 1989: Rose Threatens Band's End Over Drug Use

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

1989: Don Henley Fills In on Drums

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 Positive Statement

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

July 11, 1990: Steven Adler Fired

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

1990: Firing of Steven Adler

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

May 1991: Firing of Alan Niven

In May 1991, Guns N' Roses fired their manager, Alan Niven, replacing him with Doug Goldstein. Axl Rose reportedly forced the dismissal, threatening not to complete the albums unless Niven was replaced.

July 2, 1991: Riverport Amphitheater Incident

On July 2, 1991, at the Riverport Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri, Axl Rose stopped the concert due to a fan filming the show, resulting in Rose assaulting the fan and subsequently leaving the stage. This led to a riot among the angry crowd.

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

On September 17, 1991, Guns N' Roses released 'Use Your Illusion I' and 'Use Your Illusion II'. The albums debuted at No. 2 and No. 1 respectively in the Billboard charts.

November 7, 1991: Izzy Stradlin Quits

On November 7, 1991, Izzy Stradlin abruptly quit the band, citing Axl Rose's personal behavior, his mismanagement of the band, and difficulties being around Slash, Sorum, and McKagan due to sobriety.

1991: Live Concert from 1991

In 1991 Guns N' Roses performed a live concert in New York, that was later included in the Use Your Illusion 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. The albums debuted at number two and number one on the Billboard 200 respectively and were supported by the Use Your Illusion Tour.

1991: Riverport Riot

In 1991, Guns N' Roses was involved in a significant controversy due to the Riverport riot, contributing to their reputation for rebelliousness.

August 1992: Montreal Riot

During an August 1992 show at Montreal's Olympic Stadium with Metallica, James Hetfield was injured due to pyrotechnic malfunctions, causing Metallica to cut their set short. After a long delay, Guns N' Roses took the stage, but Axl Rose claimed his throat hurt, causing the band to leave early, which led to an audience riot.

1992: Live Concert from 1992

In 1992 Guns N' Roses performed a live concert in Las Vegas, that was later included in the Use Your Illusion box set released in 2022.

1992: Planned 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: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

In 1992, Guns N' Roses performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, amid controversy over their song "One in a Million." Slash performed with Queen and Def Leppard, while Rose sang with Elton John.

1992: MTV Video Music Award

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

1992: Alleged Signing of Name Rights

In 1992, Slash claimed that Axl Rose refused to go onstage unless the band signed away the name rights to the band, which they did under duress. Axl Rose denied this claim.

July 17, 1993: End of the Use Your Illusion Tour

On July 17, 1993, the Use Your Illusion tour concluded in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was the last time that Sorum and Clarke played in the band and the last time Slash performed with the band until 2016.

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

On November 23, 1993, Guns N' Roses released their fifth studio album, "The Spaghetti Incident?", a collection of punk and glam rock covers.

1993: Clarke's Arm Injury and Stradlin's Return

In 1993, Gilby Clarke broke his arm in a motorcycle accident during the tour and was 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?, which was the last studio album to feature Izzy Stradlin and Matt Sorum before their initial departure. It was the only album to feature Gilby Clarke and the last for Slash and McKagan before their initial departure as well.

1993: Previous North American Tour

In November 2002, the North American tour to support "Chinese Democracy" was the first tour since 1993.

May 1994: End of Work on Next Album

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

December 1994: "Sympathy for the Devil" Cover Release

In December 1994, Guns N' Roses released a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil", which appeared in the films Interview with the Vampire and Fallen.

1994: New Album in the Works

Since 1994, Guns N' Roses had reportedly been working on a new album with Axl Rose as the only original member.

August 1995: Rose Creates New Partnership

In August 1995, Axl Rose legally left the band and created a new partnership under the band's name, later stating he did so to save Guns N' Roses.

1995: Gilby Clarke Departure

Gilby Clarke's contract was not renewed, and he was no longer a member of Guns N' Roses by 1995. Slash stated that Axl Rose fired Clarke without consulting anyone.

September 1996: Slash's Ultimatum

In September 1996, Slash told his bandmates that either Paul "Huge" Tobias would leave the band, or he would.

October 1996: Slash Quits Guns N' Roses

In October 1996, Slash officially quit Guns N' Roses due to tensions with Axl Rose. Slash cited differing visions for the band as the reason for his departure.

1996: Recorded New Material

According to Matt Sorum, in 1996, Guns N' Roses had recorded seven songs, with seven more in progress, planning a spring 1997 release.

1996: Collaboration 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 band members worked together.

January 1997: Slash replaced by Robin Finck

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

April 1997: Matt Sorum Departs

In April 1997, Matt Sorum departed Guns N' Roses after being fired by Axl Rose following an argument.

April 1997: Guns N' Roses Lineup Reported

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

August 1997: Duff McKagan Resigns

In August 1997, Duff McKagan resigned as bassist of Guns N' Roses, citing concerns about the band's erratic operations affecting his parenthood.

August 1997: Robin Finck Joins Guns N' Roses

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

1997: Planned album release

Guns N' Roses intended to release a single album with 10 or 12 songs in spring 1997, but it did not materialize.

1997: Rose Buys Rights to Band Name

In 1997, Axl Rose reportedly purchased the full rights to the Guns N' Roses name.

1998: Start of New Album Work

In 1998, Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, and new members Paul Tobias, Robin Finck, Tommy Stinson, Josh Freese, and Chris Pitman began writing and recording new songs, leading to the development of the album Chinese Democracy.

1998: Use Your Illusion Edited Version Released

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

1998: Tommy Stinson joins Guns N' Roses

In 1998, Tommy Stinson replaced Duff McKagan as the bassist for Guns N' Roses after being recommended by Josh Freese.

August 1999: Band Records Over 30 Songs

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

August 1999: Robin Finck departs Guns N' Roses

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

November 1999: Axl Rose Announces 'Chinese Democracy'

In November 1999, Axl Rose announced the title of the upcoming Guns N' Roses album as 'Chinese Democracy' during an interview with Kurt Loder for MTV.

November 1999: Live Era '87-'93 Released

In November 1999, Geffen Records released "Live Era '87-'93", a compilation of live performances from Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion tours.

November 1999: "Oh My God" Released

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

1999: Band Revival with Hard Rock and Piano Rock Features

Since its 1999 revival, Guns N' Roses has retained hard rock and piano rock features while including elements of industrial rock, electronic rock, nu metal, industrial metal, and trip hop.

February 2000: Rose Plays New Songs for Rolling Stone

In February 2000, Axl Rose played several songs from the upcoming album for Rolling Stone reporters, including "Chinese Democracy", "Catcher in the Rye", and "I.R.S.".

March 2000: Buckethead and Brain Join the Band

In March 2000, Buckethead joined Guns N' Roses as a replacement for Finck, and Josh Freese was replaced by Bryan Mantia (Brain) on drums.

2000: Album Due Date

In November 1999, band manager Doug Goldstein stated the music for the album was 'almost finished' and the album was due out some time in 2000.

January 2001: Public Appearance in Las Vegas and Rock in Rio

In January 2001, Guns N' Roses made a public appearance with well-received concerts in Las Vegas and at the Rock in Rio Festival in Rio de Janeiro, after an eight-year absence from the stage.

2001: Interview Reveals Slash's Ultimatum

A 2001 interview revealed Slash's ultimatum to his bandmates in September 1996 regarding Paul "Huge" Tobias's presence in the band.

2001: Two Shows in Las Vegas

At the end of 2001, Guns N' Roses played two shows in Las Vegas, where former guitarist Slash was reportedly turned away by security.

2001: Start of Chinese Democracy Tour

In 2001, the Chinese Democracy Tour began, promoting the upcoming album of the same name. The tour lasted until 2011.

2001: Rose Describes Album

In a 2001 interview, Axl Rose described the upcoming album as having "all kinds of styles, many influences as blues, mixed in the songs" and said that it was "not industrial".

August 2002: Asia and Europe Shows

In August 2002, Guns N' Roses played several shows, headlining festivals and concerts throughout Asia and Europe.

August 29, 2002: MTV Video Music Awards Performance

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

November 2002: North American Tour and Riots

In November 2002, Guns N' Roses organized a North American tour to support "Chinese Democracy", but the opening show in Vancouver was canceled, leading to a riot and eventually the cancellation of the tour after another riot in Philadelphia.

2002: Paul Tobias Leaves Band

Due to his frustrations with touring, rhythm guitarist Paul Tobias left Guns N' Roses in 2002 and was replaced by Richard Fortus.

2002: Named in "50 Bands to See Before You Die"

In 2002, Q magazine named Guns N' Roses in its list of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die", solidifying their live performance reputation.

September 2003: "I.R.S." Leak

In September 2003, a previously unheard Guns N' Roses track, "I.R.S.", was played on Eddie Trunk's radio show, leading to a cease and desist order for stations with the track.

February 2004: Geffen Stops Funding 'Chinese Democracy'

In February 2004, Geffen Records declared that Axl Rose was responsible for funding and completing the album "Chinese Democracy" after exceeding budgeted recording costs.

March 2004: Album Completion Claim

Around March 2004, band manager Merck Mercuriadis stated that the album 'Chinese Democracy' was very close to being completed, despite Geffen pulling funding.

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, leading to a lawsuit from Rose, Slash, and McKagan.

May 2004: Rock in Rio Lisboa Cancellation

In May 2004, Guns N' Roses canceled their scheduled performance at Rock in Rio Lisboa after Buckethead left the band in March.

2004: Release of Greatest Hits

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

2004: Nelly Matches Chart Feat

In 2004, Nelly matched Guns N' Roses' achievement of debuting albums at No. 1 and No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

2004: Ranked No. 92 in "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Guns N' Roses No. 92 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", acknowledging their lasting influence.

2005: Report of Expenses for Album

According to a 2005 report by The New York Times, Axl Rose had allegedly spent $13 million in the studio on "Chinese Democracy" by that point.

2005: Adler Reflects on Firing

In 2005, Steven Adler reminisced on the circumstances surrounding his firing from Guns N' Roses in 1990.

February 2006: 32 Songs in the Works

In February 2006, Axl Rose stated that Guns N' Roses had 32 songs in the works for a possible future album.

February 2006: Demos Leaked Online

In February 2006, demos of songs from 'Chinese Democracy' were leaked online, leading to management requesting removal of links and lyrics from websites.

May 12, 2006: Bumblefoot's Debut

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

August 2006: Slash and McKagan Sue Rose

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

September 2006: Warm-Up Shows

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

October 2006: North American Tour Commences

In October 2006, the Guns N' Roses North American tour officially commenced in Miami, with Frank Ferrer replacing Brain on drums.

November 2006: Portland Shows Cancelled

In November 2006, Guns N' Roses cancelled shows in Portland, Maine, citing limitations imposed by local fire marshals.

December 2006: Merck Mercuriadis Fired

In December 2006, Axl Rose announced the firing of Merck Mercuriadis as Guns N' Roses' manager, and set a tentative release date for 'Chinese Democracy' for March 6, 2007.

February 2007: "Better" Leaks Online

In February 2007, the 'final' version of "Better" leaked online and received positive reviews.

February 23, 2007: Recording Stage Finished

On February 23, 2007, Del James announced that the recording stage of 'Chinese Democracy' was finished, but the March 6 release date proved impossible.

March 6, 2007: Tentative Release Date Set

In December 2006, Axl Rose announced the tentative release date for 'Chinese Democracy' for March 6, 2007.

May 4, 2007: More Tracks Leak

On May 4, 2007, three more tracks from Chinese Democracy leaked online: An updated version of "I.R.S.", "The Blues", and the title track.

December 2007: Album Completion and Delay Report

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

February 2008: Denial of Album Delay Report

In February 2008, Axl Rose's manager, Beta Lebeis, refuted claims of album delays, stating that Guns N' Roses were in negotiations with Geffen Records and that the album had been finished since Christmas 2007.

March 26, 2008: Dr Pepper's Announcement

On March 26, 2008, Dr Pepper announced that they would give a free can of Dr Pepper to everyone in America (excluding former guitarists Slash and Buckethead) if Guns N' Roses released Chinese Democracy before the end of 2008. Axl Rose expressed his happiness and stated that 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 the hiring of a new management team headed by Irving Azoff and Andy Gould.

April 2008: Industry Rumors

In April 2008, industry rumors circulated about a forthcoming release of Chinese Democracy.

June 19, 2008: Chinese Democracy Tracks Leaked

On June 19, 2008, nine tracks allegedly from Chinese Democracy were leaked online, but quickly removed due to a cease-and-desist letter from the band's label.

July 14, 2008: "Shackler's Revenge" Release

On July 14, 2008, Harmonix and MTV Games announced the release of "Shackler's Revenge" from Chinese Democracy, available through the game Rock Band 2.

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

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

October 22, 2008: Chinese Democracy Release Date Confirmed

On October 22, 2008, Guns N' Roses, Best Buy, and Interscope Geffen A&M Records announced that Chinese Democracy would be released in the US on November 23, 2008, as a Best Buy exclusive.

November 22, 2008: Chinese Democracy Release (Europe, Australia)

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

November 23, 2008: Chinese Democracy US Release

On November 23, 2008, Guns N' Roses streamed Chinese Democracy on Myspace, breaking the record with over three million streams, before its official release in the US as a Best Buy exclusive.

November 24, 2008: Chinese Democracy Release (UK)

On November 24, 2008, Guns N' Roses released "Chinese Democracy" in the United Kingdom. The album received a divided reception and was included on both best-of and worst-of lists.

December 2008: Working Titles of Songs Mentioned

In December 2008, Axl Rose mentioned several working titles of songs for a possible future album on fan message boards.

2008: Previous New Material Release

In 2008 Guns N' Roses released new material prior to release of "Absurd" on August 6, 2021.

2008: Release of Chinese Democracy

In November 2008, after years of delays and high production costs, Guns N' Roses released their sixth studio album, Chinese Democracy. The title track was the lead single, and the album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.

February 6, 2009: Axl Rose Interview

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

March 2009: DJ Ashba Joins the Band

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

June 2009: Irving Azoff's Management Turmoil

In June 2009, it was reported that Guns N' Roses' manager Irving Azoff had been "fired, then re-hired, then fired".

October 2009: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

In October 2009, Ulrich Schnauss's record labels sued Guns N' Roses, alleging copyright infringement for using Schnauss' compositions in "Riad N' the Bedouins".

September 1, 2010: Dublin Concert Incident

During a concert on September 1, 2010, in Dublin, the band was over an hour late. Axl Rose stopped the show after bottles were thrown on stage, and the band briefly left before returning to finish the performance.

October 14, 2010: Duff McKagan's On-Stage Reunion

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

October 2, 2011: Rock in Rio 4 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. Bumblefoot described it as the worst concert he had ever been a part of.

November 10, 2011: Axl 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 career and the band's future.

2011: End of Chinese Democracy Tour

In 2011, the Chinese Democracy Tour ended, promoting the album of the same name. The tour began in 2001.

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 with Myles Kennedy on vocals.

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. The band also toured Israel for the first time since 1992. Tour security was allegedly instructed to deny entry to anyone wearing a Slash T-shirt.

August 13, 2012: "Appetite for Democracy" Residency Announced

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

October 2012: Discussion of Future Album

In October 2012, Axl Rose said that the band were writing and had recorded many songs, and they would decide which ones they felt best about for a possible future album.

October 2012: Bridge School Benefit Show Performance

In October 2012, Guns N' Roses performed an acoustic set at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit show, which was widely panned by critics due to Axl Rose's strep throat.

November 21, 2012: "Appetite for Democracy" Filmed

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

2012: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2012, Guns N' Roses were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contribution to music.

2012: Up Close and Personal Tour Announcement

In early 2012, Guns N' Roses announced the Up Close and Personal Tour, featuring shows in smaller venues in the United States and Europe, with pyrotechnics removed.

August 2013: "Going Down" Leaked Online

In August 2013, a new song entitled "Going Down", featuring Tommy Stinson on lead vocals and Axl Rose on backing vocals, was leaked online and confirmed as legitimate by Bumblefoot.

April 24, 2014: McKagan and Rose at Revolver Golden Gods Awards

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

June 7, 2014: End of Second Vegas Residency

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

June 2014: Rose Comments on Upcoming Plans

In an interview in June 2014, Axl Rose commented on Guns N' Roses upcoming plans.

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

The performance of "Appetite for Democracy" which was filmed in Las Vegas on November 21, 2012, was released on July 1, 2014 as "Appetite for Democracy 3D".

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

On July 27, 2015, DJ Ashba left Guns N' Roses to focus on his family, his band Sixx:A.M., and other new adventures.

December 29, 2015: Slash Reunion Rumors

On December 29, 2015, Billboard reported that Slash was set to rejoin Guns N' Roses, and a reunited lineup would headline Coachella 2016.

January 4, 2016: Coachella Headliner Announcement

On January 4, 2016, Guns N' Roses was officially announced as the headliner of Coachella, with KROQ and the festival confirming that Slash and Duff McKagan were rejoining the band.

March 25, 2016: Not in This Lifetime... Tour Announced

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 held a previously unannounced warmup gig at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Melissa Reese replaced Chris Pitman as the second keyboardist. Axl Rose broke his foot during the show and used Dave Grohl's throne to perform.

June 2016: Rose Discusses Reunion and Future Music

In a June 2016 interview, Axl Rose discussed Slash and McKagan rejoining the band and reiterated his intention to release new Guns N' Roses music in the future.

July 6, 2016: Steven Adler Joins Guns N' Roses On Stage

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

2016: Slash and McKagan Rejoin Band

In 2016, Slash and Duff McKagan rejoined Guns N' Roses for the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, marking a quasi-reunion of the band's classic lineup.

2016: Melissa Reese joins as keyboardist

Since 2016 Melissa Reese contributes sub-bass and synth parts, as well as reproducing the brass and string parts of songs electronically.

2016: Slash Returns

Slash rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016 after last performing with the band on July 17, 1993.

November 2017: Guns N' Roses to Headline UK Download Festival and Wins Billboard Award

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

December 2017: Tour Grosses Over $480 Million

By December 2017, the tour had grossed over $480 million, ranking it as the fourth highest-grossing concert tour of all time at that time.

2017: Band Members Discuss New Album Plans

Since 2017, various band members continued to discuss plans to release a new Guns N' Roses album, marking ongoing creative efforts.

April 30, 2018: "Destruction Is Coming" Campaign

On April 30, 2018, billboards and a website with the tagline "Destruction Is Coming" were spotted, teasing a deluxe edition of Appetite for Destruction.

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

On May 4, 2018, Guns N' Roses released "Shadow of Your Love" as a single, their first in almost a decade, accompanied by the release of a previously unseen music video for "It's So Easy."

June 2018: Headlining UK Download Festival

Guns N' Roses headlined the UK Download Festival in June 2018, adding to their list of significant performances.

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

On June 29, 2018, Guns N' Roses released the "Appetite for Destruction: Locked N' Loaded" box set to critical acclaim, featuring remastered tracks, unreleased photos, and memorabilia.

December 2018: Tour Grosses $563.3 Million

By the end of the tour in December 2018, the tour had grossed $563.3 million, making it the second-highest-grossing tour 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, the Not in This Lifetime... Tour concluded, grossing over $584 million and becoming one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.

2019: Tracii Guns Reflects on Band Formation

In a 2019 interview, Tracii Guns recounted the formation of Guns N' Roses, detailing the circumstances surrounding Axl Rose's departure from L.A. Guns and the subsequent creation of the new band.

September 2020: Greatest Hits Album Re-Release

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

June 2021: We're F'n' Back Tour Announced

In June 2021, Guns N' Roses announced the We're F'n' Back Tour, touring the United States from July to October, later extending into 2022.

August 6, 2021: Release of "Absurd"

On August 6, 2021, Guns N' Roses released "Absurd", their first new material since 2008, after debuting the song onstage at Fenway Park.

2021: Reworking Chinese Democracy Songs

In 2021, Slash stated that Guns N' Roses had been reworking songs from the Chinese Democracy era for future release.

February 25, 2022: "Hard Skool" Physical Release

On February 25, 2022, the "Hard Skool" EP, featuring "Absurd" and live tracks, was released physically, marking further new material.

September 20, 2022: Use Your Illusion Box Set Announced

On September 20, 2022, Guns N' Roses announced a remastered deluxe box set of the Use Your Illusion albums for release in November 2022.

November 11, 2022: Use Your Illusion Box Set Released

On November 11, 2022, Guns N' Roses released Use Your Illusion (Super Deluxe Edition).

2022: Working on New Songs

In 2022, Slash confirmed that Guns N' Roses was working on more new songs, with plans to release them as singles leading up to a full album.

2022: We're F'n' Back Tour Extended

In 2022, the We're F'n' Back Tour was extended to include legs in Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.

June 24, 2023: Glastonbury Festival Headlining Debut

On June 24, 2023, Guns N' Roses headlined Glastonbury Festival for the first time, receiving mixed reviews due to technical difficulties.

July 2023: Greatest Hits Album Chart Achievement

As of July 2023, Guns N' Roses' Greatest Hits album reached 631 weeks on the Billboard 200, making it the 8th longest-charting album in Billboard history.

August 18, 2023: Release of "Perhaps"

On August 18, 2023, Guns N' Roses released their new single, "Perhaps", marking a new creative direction.

In November 2023, Guns N' Roses and their manager Fernando Lebeis were sued for copyright infringement and sexual harassment by their former photographer Katarina Benzova.