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1987 - July: Guns N’ Roses “Appetite for Destruction”
It is unusual for a band's debut album to be a serious hit, but Appetite for Destruction was such a success that it catapulted Guns N' Roses to celebrity status seemingly overnight. The emphasis is on “seemingly,” because it would actually take several months to catch on. Seven months after the album was released it had only sold 200,000 albums. MTV wouldn't play GNR because of their overt focus on sex and drugs. They finally were played on an episode of “Headbangers Ball” at 4:00 a.m. on the East Coast. That was all it took for the band to see the turnaround.
Paul Stanley of Kiss met the band prior to their being signed, and described them as “a bunch of wastoids.” He was surprised at the energy the band displayed when on stage that night, however.
With a straightforward focus on sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll, Appetite for Destruction featured Slash on guitar and Axl Rose on lead vocals. Other band members on this album were Izzy Stradlin on guitar, percussion, and backing vocals, Duff McKagan on bass, and Steven Adler on drums.
Steve Hardin joins us once again as guest host to present this album in Brian's absence.
Welcome to the Jungle
This is one of two big hits off the album, and reflects the thoughts of the band on life in Hollywood, and the big city where anything goes. This is the song that was played at 4:00 a.m. on MTV, touching off the album's meteoric rise after lackluster sales for the previous months.
Nightrain
This is one of the early songs from the band, complete with cowbell! The name supposedly comes from “Night Train Express,” a fortified flavored wine.
Mr. Brownstone
Izzy Stradlin originated this song, with the rest of the band adding on. It tells of a descent into heroin addiction. The subject of the song starts getting up at a regular time, and by the end of the lyrics is “getting up whenever.”
Sweet Child of Mine
This is the other big hit off the album, and was popular on both pop and rock stations. Axl Rose wrote the words inspired by his girlfriend at the time, Erin Everly.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens
The docudrama telling of the life of Ritchie Valens was released this month in 1987.
STAFF PICKS:
“Kiss Him Goodbye” by The Nylons
Bruce's staff pick features a Canadian a cappella quartet covering Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo, and Dale Frashuer's 60's hit "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." This song is a standard of sports events since being used by the White Sox in 1977.
“Lips Like Sugar” by Echo and the Bunnymen
Wayne brings us into the college rock genre with this alt-rock crossover from this group from Liverpool. Echo and the Bunnymen formed in 1978 and are still touring and producing records today. While never a top 40 hit, “Lips Like Sugar” was a staple of college radio.
“Jane's Getting Serious” by Jon Astley
Rob's staff pick continues the alt-rock theme. Jon Astley was a record producer, producing albums for The Who, Corey Hart, and Blondie, among others. This song only reached number 77, so Jon Astley is technically a “no hit wonder.” It was used in a catsup commercial, though!
“Back to Paradise” by 38 Special
Steve Hardin features a song from "Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise." The song is on a 38 Special Greatest Hits album, but never made it onto any of their studio albums.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Fractured Too” by Ace Frehley
This week's instrumental song is from the Kiss alumnus' solo album “Frehley's Comet.”
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
View all episodes
By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch
4.9
4747 ratings
It is unusual for a band's debut album to be a serious hit, but Appetite for Destruction was such a success that it catapulted Guns N' Roses to celebrity status seemingly overnight. The emphasis is on “seemingly,” because it would actually take several months to catch on. Seven months after the album was released it had only sold 200,000 albums. MTV wouldn't play GNR because of their overt focus on sex and drugs. They finally were played on an episode of “Headbangers Ball” at 4:00 a.m. on the East Coast. That was all it took for the band to see the turnaround.
Paul Stanley of Kiss met the band prior to their being signed, and described them as “a bunch of wastoids.” He was surprised at the energy the band displayed when on stage that night, however.
With a straightforward focus on sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll, Appetite for Destruction featured Slash on guitar and Axl Rose on lead vocals. Other band members on this album were Izzy Stradlin on guitar, percussion, and backing vocals, Duff McKagan on bass, and Steven Adler on drums.
Steve Hardin joins us once again as guest host to present this album in Brian's absence.
Welcome to the Jungle
This is one of two big hits off the album, and reflects the thoughts of the band on life in Hollywood, and the big city where anything goes. This is the song that was played at 4:00 a.m. on MTV, touching off the album's meteoric rise after lackluster sales for the previous months.
Nightrain
This is one of the early songs from the band, complete with cowbell! The name supposedly comes from “Night Train Express,” a fortified flavored wine.
Mr. Brownstone
Izzy Stradlin originated this song, with the rest of the band adding on. It tells of a descent into heroin addiction. The subject of the song starts getting up at a regular time, and by the end of the lyrics is “getting up whenever.”
Sweet Child of Mine
This is the other big hit off the album, and was popular on both pop and rock stations. Axl Rose wrote the words inspired by his girlfriend at the time, Erin Everly.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens
The docudrama telling of the life of Ritchie Valens was released this month in 1987.
STAFF PICKS:
“Kiss Him Goodbye” by The Nylons
Bruce's staff pick features a Canadian a cappella quartet covering Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo, and Dale Frashuer's 60's hit "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye." This song is a standard of sports events since being used by the White Sox in 1977.
“Lips Like Sugar” by Echo and the Bunnymen
Wayne brings us into the college rock genre with this alt-rock crossover from this group from Liverpool. Echo and the Bunnymen formed in 1978 and are still touring and producing records today. While never a top 40 hit, “Lips Like Sugar” was a staple of college radio.
“Jane's Getting Serious” by Jon Astley
Rob's staff pick continues the alt-rock theme. Jon Astley was a record producer, producing albums for The Who, Corey Hart, and Blondie, among others. This song only reached number 77, so Jon Astley is technically a “no hit wonder.” It was used in a catsup commercial, though!
“Back to Paradise” by 38 Special
Steve Hardin features a song from "Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise." The song is on a 38 Special Greatest Hits album, but never made it onto any of their studio albums.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Fractured Too” by Ace Frehley
This week's instrumental song is from the Kiss alumnus' solo album “Frehley's Comet.”
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
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