‘Appetite for Destruction’ by Guns N’ Roses Turns 38! But it Almost Self Destructed at First

Appetite for Destruction just turned 38 on July 21st, 2025. (Cue the record-scratching sound effect…) What? Yes! It’s hard to believe that the album came out that long ago. It’s also a little-known fact that the first effort from hard rockers Guns N’ Roses was almost a flop! During the first year, the sales were sluggish, and there was nothing remarkable about yet another 80s hard rock band with ripped jeans, long hair, and guyliner.

Appetite for Destruction was Released on July 21st, 1987

When the 12-track album first came on the scene, it was largely ignored. At that time, there were so many bands like Guns N’ Roses out there who had released rock music – and not many bands were that different. For every band like Aerosmith, there were literally dozens of bands that didn’t make it.

What’s on Appetite for Destruction?

Two of Gn’R’s biggest songs, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ were from this release. Other songs like ‘Mr. Brownstone’ and hit ‘Paradise City’ came from this album, too. However, the single that was released from the album when it first came out was track number two: ‘It’s So Easy.’ Until some adventurous radio DJs started playing ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ on their rotation, the album may have never reached top selling status.

MTV, back when the channel played music videos, aired ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ around their 5 am spot at first. Soon, that video and ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ were in the mainstream rotation, and often featured by host and friend Riki Rachtman on Headbangers Ball.

The Making of Appetite for Destruction

Appetite for Destruction was recorded in early 1987 from mid-January through March. Most of the tracks were done within a week or so, but the largest part of the recording budget was taken up by none other than Axl Rose. Turns out Axl is quite a perfectionist, and he insisted on recording his lyrics line by line. This probably forced a lot of his bandmates and crew to frequent the local bars while they waited.

Personnel on Appetite for Destruction

This album holds the record for the best-selling debut album of all time in America. With over 30 million units sold, it’s still one of the most recognized and listened to albums today. Appetite for Destruction’s lineup was Axl Rose on vocals, Slash – lead guitar, Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar, Duff McKagan – bass, and Steven Adler on drums. Mike Clink served as the producer on this album.

A “Bite” of Trivia

A few interesting points about both Appetite for Destruction and Guns N’ Roses: the album originally would’ve had a different cover on it. Instead of the cross with the skeleton caricatures of each Gn’R member that is on the cover we see today, it would’ve had a robot sexually assaulting a woman.

Instead of Mike Clink, Geffen Records looked at Mutt Lange to produce, but Mutt was beyond their allotted budget. At one point, famed Kiss vocalist Paul Stanley was slated to produce, but he had a different vision than the band.

During a jam one day, Slash started picking a “circus music” melody and making faces at drummer Steven Adler. Izzy liked it and put some chords over it while Duff played a bass line. Steven made a drum beat while Axl wrote lyrics. Soon, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ was born.

Guns N’ Roses will likely be most remembered with these five musicians. The band has had numerous lineup changes, to include guitarists like DJ Ashba, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and guitar virtuoso Buckethead. Likewise, the band ripped through phenomenal drummers like Matt Sorum and Josh Freese. Axl Rose, the iconic, often screeching, uber-perfectionist, tough negotiating – and talented vocalist- is the only one who has remained a constant since the beginning.