Music-versary: Guns N’ Roses release Appetite for Destruction on July 21, 1987
Nine of the greatest moments from the powerful album as expressed in GIFs.
There is no denying that Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Destruction is one of the best hard rock albums of all time.
Released in the summer of 1987, the album topped the Billboard charts and sold 30 million albums worldwide, making it one of the best selling records ever. Gritty, rebellious and brilliant, Appetite for Destruction is the ideal sex, drug and rock and roll albums and is what made lead vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler stars. Here are nine of the greatest moments from the powerful album as told in GIFS.
Welcome to the Jungle
As soon as you hear the opening guitar lick to one of the album’s biggest hits, you know all hell is about to break loose. And then Axl Rose’s scream … WOW! With its mind-blowing crescendo and abundant energy, the song is what heavy metal dreams are made of.
“Shun na na na na knees knees”
We’re not sure what shun na, na, na, knees are, but we don’t care. Everyone loved (and still loves) every single lyric of Welcome to the Jungle. It’s hard to believe that the song was written in a mere three hours, according to Slash’s memoir. “Feel my, my, my, my serpentine …”
The album cover
Black background and a large cross with the skulls (including their big hair!) of the five band members. Iconic, aesthetic and classic.
Massive hair
From Axl’s colossal, overly teased and spritzed mane to Slash’s long, luscious ringlets, big hair certainly didn’t care in the ’80s. It totally ruled, man.
Axl’s dance
We don’t know what to call it. The Sway and Slither? The Inebriated Penguin? Whatever it is, his dancing in just about every video from the album (and even in concert) is legendary.
The outfits
Every video from the Appetite for Destruction album gave us an opportunity to witness Axl’s skin-tight pants and countless bandanas, as well as Slash’s Mad Hatter hats, leather and aviator sunglasses. Even the edgy threads of Stradlin, McKagan, and Adler caught our eyes.
Slash’s guitar riffs
It is no wonder Slash shows up on just about every greatest guitarists of all time list. His talent is undeniable and his licks and riffs are unforgettable. Sweet Child O’ Mine, Nightrain, and Paradise City showcases Slash’s incomparable skills exquisitely.
Paradise City
“Take me down to the Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.” The track was so simple yet invoked a warm, fuzzy, blissful feeling.
The girl moaning on Rocket Queen
The girl who sounds extremely “busy” two and half minutes into the last track on the album is actually Adriana Smith, Adler’s girlfriend at the time. The moaning was recorded while she was having sex with Axl Rose. Don’t even ask.
Hear Guns N’ Roses on: 80s on 8 (Ch. 8), Hair Nation (Ch. 39) and Ozzy’s Boneyard (Ch. 38).
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