Looking Through Time: Guns N Roses

The biggest act of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Guns N’ Roses, dropped their album “Use Your Illusion” and its counterpart “Use Your Illusion II” on September 17, 1991, before going on their “Use Your Illusion” world tour, blessing their fans with two albums filled with iconic hits.

In 1991 the well-deserved rock band was the most popular group in the world and was imperative to the evolution of rock. Many argue that this joint album release is nothing in comparison to their “Appetite For Destruction” album but still included lifelong hits like “November Rain” and “Estranged” from the “Use Your Illusion” album and “Civil War” from the “Use Your Illusion II” album.

Despite that Guns N’ Roses were most popular in 1987 when “Appetite For Destruction” was released, their joint album release in 1991 was ​ü​ber-successful with “Use Your Illusion” selling 685,000 units and “Use Your Illusion II” selling 770,000 units in the first week. Due to their dozens of rock classics, many coming from these two debut albums, Guns N’ Roses hold a special place in many generations' hearts. The group's story is not close to one of perfection, but the “Use Your Illusion” and “Use Your Illusion II” albums carry weight and significance for millions of people.

The “November Rain” music video from their “Use Your Illusion” album has now reached over one billion views on YouTube. The song is built on beautiful vocals from Axl Rose, a stupendous piano demo, and an epic guitar solo. “November Rain” is noticeably Rose's most emotional song of all time. The memorable song is based on his troubled relationship with his previous girlfriend, Erin Everly, and carries a beautiful story that is now argued to be the best rock ballad in history.

Regardless of their immense fame, Guns N’ Roses began to shatter when lead guitarist member Slash left the group in 1996. Following Slash’s split from the group, drummer Matt Sorum was fired in 1997 and bass Duff McKagen quit leading to a massive parting in the group and members not speaking to each other for years on end.

Awkwardly enough, Guns N’ Roses reunited in 2016 to try to revive rock in our modern-day and are continuing in their efforts still today.

Savannah Scarborough is a freshman majoring in Digital Media and Journalism. To contact her, email at ​svs6992@psu.edu​.