View source for Axl Rose

{{short description|American singer (born 1962)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Axl Rose
| image             = Glasto2023 (239 of 468) (53009325175) (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Rose in 2023
| alt               = 
| birth_name        = William Bruce Rose Jr.
| alias             = {{unbulleted list|W. Axl Rose| William Bruce Bailey|Bill Bailey}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1962|2|6}}
| birth_place       = [[Lafayette, Indiana]], U.S.
| origin            = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Hard rock]]
* [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
* [[blues rock]]
* [[industrial rock]]<ref>{{cite book|author1=Slash|last2=Bozza|first2=Anthony|title=Slash|date=October 30, 2007|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-135142-6|pages=110–111}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Adler|first1=Steven|author2=Lawrence J. Apopei|title=My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N' Roses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1O3wuV4QBEAC|date=July 27, 2010|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-191711-0|pages=94–95}}</ref>
}}
| instrument        = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* piano}}
| years_active      = 1983–present
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* musician
}}
| current_member_of = [[Guns N' Roses]]
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* {{nowrap|[[Hollywood Rose]]}}
* [[L.A. Guns]]
* [[Rapidfire]]
* [[AC/DC]]
}}
| spouse            = {{marriage|Erin Everly|1990|1991|end=annulled}}
| website           = {{URL|axlrose.com}}
| module            = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| signature         = Axl Rose signature.svg
}}
}}

'''W. Axl Rose''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|k|s|@l}} {{respell|AK|səl}}; born '''William Bruce Rose Jr.''', February 6, 1962)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Monitor|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 8, 2013|issue=1245|page=22}}</ref> is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the [[hard rock]] band [[Guns N' Roses]]. He has been the band's only constant member since its formation in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2016/10/guns-n-roses-coming-to-singapore-the-best-of-reactions|title=Guns 'N' Roses Are Officially Coming To Singapore: Super Epic Reactions From The Internet|publisher=Popspoken|date=October 13, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412104009/http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2016/10/guns-n-roses-coming-to-singapore-the-best-of-reactions|archive-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> Renowned for his wide-ranging, powerful voice,<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-responds-to-list-calling-him-worlds-greatest-singer-124867/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619202559/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-responds-to-list-calling-him-worlds-greatest-singer-20140528|title=Axl Rose Picks His Favorite Singers|first1=Kory|last1=Grow|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 28, 2014|archive-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref> Rose has been ranked among the greatest singers of all time by outlets such as ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[NME]]'' and ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lethem|first=Jonathan|title=100 Greatest Singers of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 27, 2008|access-date=June 3, 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/axl-rose-19691231 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709154144/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/axl-rose-19691231 |archive-date=July 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Michael Jackson tops NME's Greatest Singers poll|magazine=[[NME]]|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=July 10, 2011|url=https://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/57469|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627082454/http://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/57469|archive-date=June 27, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |first1=Katie |last1=Atkinson |first2=Katie |last2=Bain |first3=Eric Renner |last3=Brown |first4=Kyle |last4=Denis |first5=Frank |last5=DiGiacomo |first6=Thom |last6=Duffy |first7=Ingrid |last7=Fajardo |first8=Paul |last8=Grein |first9=Lyndsey |last9=Havens |first10=Jason |last10=Lipshutz |first11=Joe |last11=Lynch |first12=Taylor |last12=Mims |first13=Melinda |last13=Newman |first14=Isabela |last14=Raygoza |first15=Andrew |last15=Unterberger |date=August 16, 2023 |title=The 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rock-singers-bands-lead-vocalists/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Born in [[Lafayette, Indiana]], Rose moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s, joining bands like [[Hollywood Rose]] and [[L.A. Guns]] before co-founding Guns N' Roses. The band's debut album, ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' (1987), sold over 30 million copies worldwide<ref name="Smith">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/19/2494907_american-masters-highlights-david.html|title='American Masters' highlights David Geffen's influence but only hints at a dark side|first=Sara|last=Smith|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|date=November 18, 2012|access-date=March 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309044138/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/11/19/2494907_american-masters-highlights-david.html|archive-date=March 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Havelock">{{cite magazine|url=http://news.qthemusic.com/2012/08/column_-_still_hungry_25_years.html|title=Column - Still hungry? 25 years of Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction|first=Laurie|last=Havelock|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=August 9, 2012|access-date=March 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311063307/http://news.qthemusic.com/2012/08/column_-_still_hungry_25_years.html|archive-date=March 11, 2014}}</ref> and remains the best-selling U.S. debut. Rose's relationships with Erin Everly and [[Stephanie Seymour]] inspired multiple songs, including the chart-topping "[[Sweet Child o' Mine]]", though allegations of abuse,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-bye-bye-love-vol-42-no-3/|title=Bye Bye Love|website=Peoplemag}}</ref> and controversial lyrics on the band's next release ''[[G N' R Lies]]'' (1988) drew criticism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/guns-n-roses-most-offensive-song-in-music/|title=Guns N' Roses wrote the most offensive song in popular music|date=June 24, 2023|website=faroutmagazine.co.uk}}</ref>

The twin albums ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II|II]]'' (1991), debuted at No.{{nbsp}}2 and No.{{nbsp}}1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 35 million copies combined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tsort.info/music/faq_album_sales.htm|title=Which albums had the highest number of worldwide sales?|access-date=March 14, 2012|date=December 15, 2007|publisher=TSORT|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327070348/http://tsort.info/music/faq_album_sales.htm|archive-date=March 27, 2012}}</ref> Rose's volatile behavior during the [[Use Your Illusion Tour]], with riots (including his arrest for inciting the [[Riverport Riot]]), media rants, and feuds with [[Metallica]] and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], fueled further controversy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/axl-rose-feud-with-metallica/|title=Understanding Axl Rose's feud with Metallica - Far Out Magazine|date=October 26, 2022|website=faroutmagazine.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-kurt-cobain-rock-feud/|title=Rock Feuds: Axl Rose vs. Kurt Cobain|first=Corey|last=Irwin|date=May 18, 2022|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.939xindy.com/2021/06/21/few-tours-had-more-controversy-than-the-gnr-use-your-illusion-tour/|title=Few Tours Had More Controversy Than The GNR Use Your Illusion Tour|date=June 21, 2021|website=939X Indy's Rock Station - WNDX-FM}}</ref> The follow-up, ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'' (1993), was less successful and drew backlash for including a [[Charles Manson]] cover.

After the tour, Rose disappeared from the public eye while Guns N' Roses stalled on making a new album. Rose reemerged in 2001 with a new version of Guns N' Roses, eventually releasing ''[[Chinese Democracy]]'' (2008), [[List of most expensive albums|the most expensive rock album]] ever produced.<ref name="AllMusic Biography">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Guns N' Roses Biography|website=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/guns-n-roses-p4416/biography|access-date=December 18, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20111220091752/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/guns-n-roses-p4416/biography|archive-date=December 20, 2011}}</ref> Inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2012, Rose declined to attend. In 2016, he reconciled with [[Slash (guitarist)|Slash]] and [[Duff McKagan]] for the record-breaking [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]], and also toured with [[AC/DC]] as a fill-in vocalist for two dozen shows. The band [[We're F'N' Back! Tour|continued touring]] and releasing singles into the 2020s.

== Early life ==
Axl Rose was born William Bruce Rose Jr. in [[Lafayette, Indiana]], the eldest child of Sharon Elizabeth (née Lintner), then 16, and William Bruce Rose, age 20.<ref name="watchyoubleed">{{cite book|last=Davis|first=Stephen|title=Watch You Bleed: The Saga of Guns N' Roses|year=2008|publisher=Gotham Publishing|isbn=978-1-59240-377-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/watchyoubleedsag00davi}}</ref><ref name="Reitwiesner">{{cite web|last=Reitwiesner|first=William Addams|title=Ancestry of Axl Rose|publisher=William Addams Reitwiesner Genealogical Services|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.wargs.com/other/rose.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615223829/http://www.wargs.com/other/rose.html|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RollingStoneBio">{{cite magazine|title=Axl Rose: Biography|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/axl-rose/biography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924233647/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/axl-rose/biography|archive-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref> His father has been described as "a troubled and charismatic local delinquent," and the pregnancy was unplanned.<ref name="watchyoubleed" /> The couple separated when Rose was around two years old.<ref name="watchyoubleed" /> His father abducted and allegedly molested him before disappearing from Lafayette.<ref name="watchyoubleed" /> Rose's mother later married Stephen L. Bailey and changed her son's name to William Bruce Bailey.<ref name="RollingStoneBio"/><ref name="Tannenbaum88">{{cite magazine|last=Tannenbaum|first=Rob|title=The Hard Truth About Guns N' Roses|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 17, 1988|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-hard-truth-about-guns-n-roses-56711/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124161711/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-hard-truth-about-guns-n-roses-56711/|archive-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref> He has two younger siblings: a sister, Amy, and a half-brother, Stuart.<ref name="RollingStone00"/><ref name="Wall07">{{cite web|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=W. Axl Rose - Chapter Nine - You Are All Little People|publisher=MickWall.com|year=2007|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.mickwall.com/waxlrose9chap1.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218011204/http://www.mickwall.com/waxlrose9chap1.htm |archive-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref> Stuart Bailey later played guitar in several Los Angeles bands and worked as a music supervisor in Hollywood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t3068-1994-11-dd-raw-magazine-four-bust-ups-and-a-single|title=1994.11.DD - RAW Magazine - Four Bust-Ups And A Single|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liner-notes.com/films/dbns/bailey.html|title=DBNS: Stuart C. Bailey|website=www.liner-notes.com}}</ref>

Until age 17, Rose believed Bailey was his biological father.<ref name="Neely92">{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|title=Axl Rose: The Rolling Stone Interview|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=April 2, 1992|access-date=June 3, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=56|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711163800/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=56|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> He never met William Rose Sr. as an adult; Rose Sr. was murdered in 1984 in [[Marion, Illinois]], by a criminal acquaintance.<ref>{{cite book|title=Murder in the Heartland. 20 Case Files|chapter=Book 1. Missing Body|author=Spiller, Harry|publisher=Turner Publishing|page=171|year=2003|isbn=9781563119125|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IInuEAAAQBAJ&dq=william+rose+murdered+1984&pg=PT148}}</ref> Rose learned of the murder years later.<ref name="Wall90">{{cite magazine|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=Stick to Your Guns|magazine=[[Kerrang!]]|date=April 21, 1990|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164319/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=4|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Rose accused his stepfather of physically abusing the family and sexually abusing his sister.<ref name="The Band That Time Forgot">{{cite book |last=Stenning |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Stenning |title= The Band That Time Forgot |year=2005 |publisher=Chrome Dreams |isbn=978-1842403143}}</ref><ref name="RollingStoneBio"/><ref name="Neely92"/>

The Bailey household was deeply religious. Rose attended a [[Pentecostal]] church multiple times per week and taught Sunday school.<ref name="James92">{{cite magazine|last=James|first=Del|title=I, Axl – Part III|magazine=[[RIP (magazine)|RIP]]|date=November 1992|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-1992-RIP-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605042046/http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-1992-RIP-1.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref> He later described the environment as oppressive, recalling: "We'd have televisions one week, then my stepdad would throw them out because they were Satanic... Women were evil. Everything was evil".<ref name="James92"/>

Music became a refuge.<ref name="MTVRockumentary">{{Cite video|title=MTV Rockumentary: Guns N' Roses|medium=Television production|publisher=MTV|date=1989}}</ref> Rose sang in the church choir from age five and performed with his siblings as the Bailey Trio.<ref name="James89">{{cite magazine|last=James|first=Del|title=The Rolling Stone Interview with Axl Rose|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=August 1989|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720032323/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=3|archive-date=July 20, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Jefferson High School (Indiana)|Jefferson High School]], he joined the chorus and studied piano.<ref name="James89"/> A second baritone, he developed "different voices" during practice to confuse his teacher.<ref name="Superteen89">{{cite magazine|title=The Quotable Guns N' Roses|magazine=Superteen|year=1989|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=68|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530014323/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=68|archive-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref><ref name="MTVRockumentary"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sullivan|first=John Jeremiah|title=The Final Comeback of Axl Rose|magazine=[[GQ]]|date=September 2006|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/200609/final-comeback-axl-rose|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927225056/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/200609/final-comeback-axl-rose|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> He later formed a band with friends, including Jeff Isbell (later [[Izzy Stradlin]]),<ref name="Geffen98">{{cite web|title=Geffen - Izzy Stradlin Biography|publisher=[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]|year=1998|url=http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-1998-geffen.html|access-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031183629/http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-1998-geffen.html|archive-date=October 31, 2011}}</ref> and befriended future musicians [[Shannon Hoon]] ([[Blind Melon]]) and [[Paul Tobias]], who would co-write songs with Rose and join Guns N' Roses in the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/history/2015/10/21/archives-lafayette-mourns-shannon-hoon/74064726/|title=20 years later: Lafayette mourns Shannon Hoon|first=Thomas|last=Maxfield|website=Journal and Courier}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=May 4, 2018 |title=Guns N' Roses Share Unreleased "Shadow Of Your Love" From Massive New Box Set |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1994653/guns-n-roses-shadow-of-your-love/music/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=July 17, 2002 |title=GUNS N' ROSES: PAUL HUGE Out, PSYCHEDELIC FURS Axeman In |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-paul-huge-out-psychedelic-furs-axeman-in/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=January 5, 2016 |title=The ups n' downs of Guns N' Roses |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35231065 |access-date=December 15, 2023}}</ref>

At 17, Rose discovered his birth name while reviewing insurance papers and began using W. Rose, avoiding "William" to distance himself from his biological father.<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/><ref name="Neely92"/> The revelation marked a turning point. He became involved in delinquent behavior in Lafayette, was arrested more than 20 times, and served jail terms of up to three months.<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/><ref name="Kuipers91">{{cite magazine|last=Kuipers|first=Dean|title=Guns N' Neuroses|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=September 1991|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=7|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627233608/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=7|archive-date=June 27, 2011}}</ref> After being threatened with [[habitual offender]] charges,<ref name="James89"/> he moved to [[Los Angeles]] in December 1982.<ref name="Kuipers91"/>

In Los Angeles, Rose immersed himself in the band AXL, prompting friends to suggest the name "Axl Rose".<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Hollywood Rose Guitarist: Axl Rose Was 'Very Ego Motivated'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=November 19, 2004|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=29388|access-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921111303/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=29388|archive-date=September 21, 2005}}</ref> He legally adopted the name W. Axl Rose prior to signing with [[Geffen Records]] in March 1986.<ref name="Superteen89"/><ref name="Kuipers91"/><ref name="Sugerman91">{{cite book|last=Sugerman|first=Danny|title=Appetite for Destruction: The Days of Guns N' Roses|url=https://archive.org/details/appetitefordestr00suge_0|url-access=registration|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=1991|isbn=0-312-07634-7}}</ref>

== Career ==
=== 1983–1986: early years ===
Shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, Rose met guitarist Kevin Lawrence outside [[The Troubadour (Los Angeles)|The Troubadour]] in West Hollywood in March 1983 and joined his band Rapidfire. They recorded a five-song demo in May 1983 at Telstar Studios in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Axl Rose: Pre-GN'R Record to be Released|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=February 3, 2006|access-date=June 3, 2011|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/axl_rose_pre-gnr_record_to_be_released.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008113201/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/axl_rose_pre-gnr_record_to_be_released.html|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> which, after years of legal action, was released as an EP, ''Ready to Rumble'', in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/rapidfire-guitarist-fights-release-songs-axl-rose-era/|title=Rapidfire Guitarist Wants to Release Songs From Axl Rose Era|work=Loudwire|date=February 25, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129133458/http://loudwire.com/rapidfire-guitarist-fights-release-songs-axl-rose-era/|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosc_dnia/news/wiadomosc,536468|title=Rapidfire: Wczesne lata Axla|publisher=Interia.pl|date=August 26, 2004|language=pl|access-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721020055/http://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosc_dnia/news/wiadomosc%2C536468|archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Christ|first=Shawn|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/16074/20141117/early-axl-rose-ep-first-band-rapidfire-available-download-features-guns-roses-frontman-1983-listen.htm|title=Early Axl Rose EP with First Band Rapidfire Available for Download, Features Guns N' Roses Frontman in 1983|magazine=Music Times|date=November 17, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802040843/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/16074/20141117/early-axl-rose-ep-first-band-rapidfire-available-download-features-guns-roses-frontman-1983-listen.htm|archive-date=August 2, 2015}}</ref> After parting ways with Lawrence, he formed the band [[Hollywood Rose]] with his childhood friend Izzy Stradlin,<ref>{{cite news|last=Spurrier|first=Jeff|title=Guns N' Roses: Bad Boys Give It Their Best Shot|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 6, 1986}}</ref> who had moved to Los Angeles in 1980,<ref name="Geffen98"/> and 16-year-old guitarist [[Chris Weber]].<ref name="AllMusic L.A. Guns biography">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=L.A. Guns Biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 22, 2024 |url={{AllMusic|artist|la-guns-mn0000778906#biography |pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> In January 1984, the band recorded a five-song demo featuring the tracks "Anything Goes", "Rocker", "Shadow of Your Love", and "Reckless Life", which was released in 2004 as ''[[The Roots of Guns N' Roses]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=The Roots of Guns N' Roses Review |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 22, 2024 |url={{AllMusic|album|the-roots-of-guns-n-roses-mw0000744084#review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> Guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and drummer [[Steven Adler]], future members of [[Guns N' Roses]], joined Hollywood Rose before the band's dissolution.<ref name="Slash 84">{{Cite book|author=Slash | author2-link = Anthony Bozza|last2=Bozza|first2=Anthony|title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]]|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2007|page=84|isbn=978-0-00-725775-1}}</ref> Rose then joined [[L.A. Guns]].<ref name="AllMusic L.A. Guns biography"/> While struggling to make an impact on the Hollywood music scene, Rose held down a variety of jobs, including the position of night manager at the [[Tower Records#Inception, expansion, and description|Tower Records/Video]] location on [[Sunset Boulevard]]. Rose and Stradlin also smoked cigarettes for a scientific study at [[UCLA]] for the reported wages of $8 per hour ({{Inflation|US|8|1984|r=0|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="Sugerman91"/>

In March 1985, Rose and his former L.A. Guns bandmate [[Tracii Guns]] formed Guns N' Roses by merging their respective bands Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns with Stradlin, drummer [[Rob Gardner (musician)|Rob Gardner]] and bassist [[Ole Beich]].<ref name="Spitz99">{{cite magazine |last=Spitz |first=Marc |title=Just a Little Patience |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=July 1999 |access-date=June 3, 2011 |url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=71 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711163900/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=71 |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> By June, after several lineup changes, the band consisted of Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist [[Duff McKagan]], and drummer Steven Adler. The lineup debuted at The Troubadour and proceeded to play the L.A. club circuit, eventually building a devoted fan following.<ref name="Spitz99"/> The band attracted the attention of several major record labels,<ref name="Spitz99"/> before signing with Geffen Records in March 1986.<ref name="James89"/> The following December, they released the four-song EP ''[[Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide]]'' on the Geffen imprint [[UZI Suicide]].<ref name="RollingStoneBio"/>

=== 1987–1989: breakthrough with ''Appetite for Destruction'' ===
[[file:DiDia with Axl Rose.png|left|thumb|Rose alongside producer [[Nick DiDia]].]] 
In July 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]''. Although the record received critical acclaim, it experienced a modest commercial start, selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first year of release.<ref name="Wiggins03">{{cite web|last=Wiggins|first=Keavin|title=Antitorial - Appetite for Destruction|publisher=Antimusic.com|url=http://www.antimusic.com/ksw/03/dec.shtml|date=December 2003|access-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610182300/http://www.antimusic.com/ksw/03/dec.shtml|archive-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> However, fueled by the band's relentless touring, a grassroots campaign for the "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" music video,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Konow|first=David|year=2002|title=Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZyBtHRq2ncQC&q=guns+n+roses+coury&pg=PA439|url-status=live|pages=277–278|publisher=Crown |isbn=9780307565600|access-date=May 3, 2021|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519231038/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZyBtHRq2ncQC&q=guns+n+roses+coury&pg=PA439}}</ref> and the mainstream success of the single "[[Sweet Child o' Mine]]", the album rose to the No.{{nbsp}}1 position. To date, ''Appetite for Destruction'' has sold over 30 million copies worldwide,<ref name="Smith"/><ref name="Havelock"/> 18&nbsp;million of which sold in the United States, making it the best-selling debut album of all time in the U.S.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|title=Top 100 Albums|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604050421/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the band's performance at the [[Monsters of Rock]] festival in [[Castle Donington]], England, in August 1988, two fans were crushed to death when many in the crowd of 107,000 began slam-dancing to "[[It's So Easy (Guns N' Roses song)|It's So Easy]]". Rose had halted the show several times to calm the audience.<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/> From then on, he became known for personally addressing disruptive fans and giving instructions to security personnel from the stage, at times stopping concerts to deal with issues in the crowd. In 1992, Rose stated, "Most performers would go to a security person in their organization, and it would just be done very quietly. I'll confront the person, stop the song: 'Guess what: You wasted your money, you get to leave.'"<ref name="Neely92"/> As a result of the deaths at Monsters of Rock, the festival was canceled the following year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anthony|first=James|title=Tour Commandments: Pants projectiles are no excuse for cancelling shows|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 22, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/mar/22/thetourcommandmentsunderpan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224224719/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/mar/22/thetourcommandmentsunderpan|archive-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref>

In November 1988, Guns N' Roses released the stopgap album ''[[G N' R Lies]]'', which sold more than five million copies in the U.S. alone.<ref name="RIAA" /> The band – and Rose in particular – were accused [[homophobia]], [[Nativism (politics)|nativism]], and [[racism]] for the song "[[One in a Million (Guns N' Roses song)|One in a Million]]",<ref name="Goldstein89">{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Patrick|title=Behind the Guns N' Roses Racism Furor|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 15, 1989}}</ref> which featured Rose using the slurs "[[nigger]]" and "[[faggot (slang)|faggots]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=September 15, 1991|title=Guns 'n' Roses Against the (Expletive) World|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/15/arts/recordings-view-guns-n-roses-against-the-expletive-world.html|access-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> During the controversy, Rose defended his use of the racial slur by referencing the rap group [[N.W.A]] and the [[John Lennon]] song "[[Woman Is the Nigger of the World]]" saying, "it's a word to describe somebody that is basically a pain in your life, a problem. The word nigger doesn't necessarily mean black."<ref name="James89"/> In 1992, however, he conceded that "I used a word that was taboo. And I used that word because it was taboo. I was pissed off about some black people that were trying to rob me. I wanted to insult those particular black people. I didn't want to support racism. When I used the word faggots, I wasn't coming down on gays."<ref name="Neely92"/> In response to the allegations of homophobia, Rose said he considered himself "pro-heterosexual" but is "not against [homosexuals] doing what they want to do as long as it's not hurting anybody else and they're not forcing it upon [him]".<ref name="Neely92"/> He blamed this attitude on "bad experiences" with gay men, citing an attempted rape in his late teens and the alleged molestation by his biological father.<ref name="Neely92"/><ref name="James89"/><ref name="Sischy92"/> The controversy led to Guns N' Roses being dropped from the roster of an AIDS benefit show in New York organized by the [[Gay Men's Health Crisis]].<ref name="James89"/><ref name="Sugerman91"/>

With the success of ''Appetite for Destruction'' and ''G N' R Lies'', Rose found himself lauded as one of rock's most prominent frontmen. By the time he appeared solo on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in August 1989, his celebrity was such that the influential music magazine agreed to his absolute requirement that the interview and accompanying photographs would be provided by two of his friends, writer [[Del James]] and photographer [[Robert John (photographer)|Robert John]].<ref name="WAR">{{Cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=W.A.R. The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-312-54148-4|pages=161–162}}</ref> [[MTV]] anchorman [[Kurt Loder]] described Rose as "maybe the finest hard rock singer currently on the scene, and certainly the most charismatic".<ref name="Loder90">{{Cite video|people=Loder, Kurt|title=Famous Last Words: Axl Rose|medium=Television production|publisher=MTV|date=1990}}</ref>

=== 1990–1993: international success with ''Use Your Illusion'' ===
In early 1990, Guns N' Roses returned to the studio to begin recording the full-length follow-up to ''Appetite for Destruction''. Recording sessions initially proved unproductive due to Steven Adler's struggle with drug addiction, which made him unable to perform and caused sessions to be delayed for several days at a time.<ref name="Spitz99"/> Adler was fired the following July and replaced by [[Matt Sorum]] of [[the Cult]].<ref name="Spitz99"/> Keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]] also joined the band that year at Rose's insistence.<ref name="Spitz99"/> Sorum and Reed played their first show with Guns N' Roses at [[Rock in Rio#Rock in Rio 2|Rock in Rio 2]] in January 1991. The group fired its long-time manager, [[Alan Niven]], in May of that year; Rose reportedly forced the dismissal of Niven against the wishes of his bandmates by refusing to complete the new album until Niven was gone.<ref name="Neely91">{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|title=Guns N' Roses: Outta Control|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=September 5, 1991|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/guns-n-roses-outta-control-100543/}}</ref> He was replaced by roadie Doug Goldstein, whom Izzy Stradlin described as "the guy who gets to go over to Axl's at six in the morning after he's smashed his $60,000 grand piano out of the picture window".<ref name="Kent03"/>

In May 1991, still without an album to promote, the band embarked on the two-and-a-half-year [[Use Your Illusion Tour]], which became known for its financial success and myriad controversial incidents that occurred during shows, including late starts, on-stage rantings and even riots. Rose received much criticism for his late appearances at concerts, sometimes taking the stage hours after the band was scheduled to perform.<ref name="Neely92"/> In July 1991, 90 minutes into a concert at the [[Riverport Amphitheater]] near [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], after on-stage requests from Rose for security personnel to confiscate a fan's video camera, Rose himself dived into the crowd to seize it. After being pulled back on stage, he announced, "Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I'm going home!" and departed, following which some 2,500 fans staged [[Riverport riot|a riot]], resulting in an estimated $200,000 in damages.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|title=Fans Riot at Guns Show|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=August 22, 1991}}</ref>

[[Image:Axl Rose at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, Israel -- May 1993.jpg|thumb|Rose at [[Yarkon Park]] in Tel Aviv, Israel, in May 1993]]

In September 1991, with enough material completed for two albums, Guns N' Roses released ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II]]'', which debuted at No.{{nbsp}}2 and No.{{nbsp}}1 respectively on the ''Billboard'' 200, a feat not achieved by any other group.<ref name="Sugerman91"/> By the albums' release, however, Rose's relationships with his bandmates had become increasingly strained. His childhood friend Izzy Stradlin abruptly left the group in November 1991; he was replaced by [[Gilby Clarke]] of [[Kill For Thrills]].<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Sischy92"/> Of his reasons for leaving, Stradlin said, "I didn't like the complications that became such a part of daily life in Guns N' Roses,"<ref name="Musician92">{{cite magazine|title=Izzy Stradlin Interview with Musician|year=1992|magazine=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]] |url=http://www.chopaway.com/viewtopic.php?id=555|access-date=June 5, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120311211209/http://www.chopaway.com/viewtopic.php?id=555|archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> citing the riot and Rose's chronic lateness as examples, as well as his new-found sobriety making it difficult to be around other bandmates' continued alcohol and substance abuse.<ref name="Geffen98"/><ref name="Musician92"/>
On April 20, 1992, Rose performed with [[Elton John]] at [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] at Wembley Stadium singing "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" as a duet with John and also sang "[[We Will Rock You]]".

Another riot occurred in August 1992 at Montreal's [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]], during a [[Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour|co-headlining tour]] with [[Metallica]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|title=Riot Erupts at Concert Starring Guns 'n' Roses|author=''The New York Times'' staff|date=August 11, 1992|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 30, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504045707/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|archive-date=May 4, 2015}}</ref> Prior to Guns N' Roses' appearance, Metallica's set was cut short after singer-guitarist [[James Hetfield]] suffered second-degree burns in a pyrotechnics accident. However, the shortened time between sets did not allow for adequate tuning of [[Stage monitor system|stage monitors]], and the band members could not hear themselves. In addition, Rose claimed that his throat hurt, causing the band to collectively leave the stage early.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/|title=Top 10 On Stage Rock Meltdowns|access-date=July 19, 2007|author=amit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029184620/http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The riot resulted in an estimated $400,000 in damages.<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/|title=Top 10 on Stage Rock Meltdowns|access-date=July 19, 2007|author=amit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029184620/http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Riots Erupts at Concert Starring Guns N' Roses|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 11, 1992|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222013411/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Guns 'N' Roses returns to Montreal: No riot this time|publisher=[[CTV Montreal]]|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=June 18, 2011|url=http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100128/mtl_guns_roses_concert100128/20100128/?hub=MontrealHome|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406044152/http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100128/mtl_guns_roses_concert100128/20100128/?hub=MontrealHome|archive-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> In November of that year, Rose was convicted of property damage and assault in relation to the Riverport riot; he was fined $50,000 and received two years' probation.<ref name="Kent03">{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Nick|title=Is Axl Rose Finished?|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=January 3, 2003|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jan/03/popandrock.artsfeatures|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910130910/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jan/03/popandrock.artsfeatures|archive-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=November 10, 1992: Axl Rose is found guilty of property damage|publisher=ThisDayInRock.com|access-date=June 17, 2011|url=http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1992-axl-rose-is-found-guilty-of-property-damage/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007102520/http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1992-axl-rose-is-found-guilty-of-property-damage/|archive-date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>

Guns N' Roses played its final show of the Use Your Illusion Tour on July 17, 1993, at [[River Plate Stadium]] in Buenos Aires;<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bienstock|first=Richard|title=Last Gigs: Slash with Guns N' Roses|magazine=[[Guitar World]]|date=January 29, 2009|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/last_gigs_slash_with_guns_n039_roses|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612032002/http://www.guitarworld.com/last_gigs_slash_with_guns_n039_roses|archive-date=June 12, 2011}}</ref> it proved to be Rose's last live performance with the band for seven and a half years.<ref name="ClassicRock03">{{cite magazine|title=Welcome to the Jungle: A Timeline of Axl's Return to the Road|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=February 2003|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=55|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531143437/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=55|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The following August, Rose testified in court against Steven Adler, who had filed a lawsuit contending that he had been illegitimately fired. When the judge ruled against Rose, he agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $2,500,000 and 15% of the royalties for everything Adler recorded prior to his departure.<ref name="Wall07"/><ref name="Kent03"/> In November of that year, Guns N' Roses released ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'', a cover album of mostly punk songs, which proved less successful than its predecessors. Rose had included the hidden track "[[Look at Your Game, Girl]]", a song written by convicted murderer [[Charles Manson]], which he intended as a personal message to his ex-girlfriend [[Stephanie Seymour]].<ref name="Kent03"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|author-link=Mick Wall|title=W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|url=https://archive.org/details/warunauthorizedb00wall|url-access=registration|access-date=August 10, 2015|date=February 5, 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4299-2884-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/warunauthorizedb00wall/page/257 257]–}}</ref><ref name="Stickwith">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-08-ca-65317-story.html|title=Guns N' Roses to Stick With Manson Song on Album: Convict's royalties from 'Girl' will be paid to the son of one of those killed in a spree masterminded by the cult leader|last1=Philips|first1=Chuck|date=December 8, 1993|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150509190452/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-12-08/entertainment/ca-65317_1_charles-manson-song|archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> Controversy ensued, and the band subsequently pledged to donate any royalties to the son of one of Manson's victims.<ref name="Wall07"/><ref name="Manson cover">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-21-ca-59128-story.html|title=It's No Illusion: Guns N' Roses Does Charles Manson|last1=Hochman|first1=Steve|date=November 21, 1993|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150509200759/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-21/entertainment/ca-59128_1_charles-manson|archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref>

=== 1994–2000: hiatus ===
{{see also|Chinese Democracy#Background|Guns N' Roses#Lineup changes and sporadic activity (1994–1998))}}
Without consultation from his bandmates, Rose did not renew Gilby Clarke's contract with the band in June 1994,<ref name="Wall07"/> as he claimed Clarke to be only a "hired hand".<ref>{{cite book|author1=Slash|last2=Bozza|first2=Anthony|title=Slash|date=October 30, 2007|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-135142-6|page=576}}</ref> Tension between Rose and Slash reached a breaking point after the latter discovered that Rose had hired his childhood friend [[Paul Tobias|Paul "Huge" Tobias]] as Clarke's replacement.<ref name="Wall07"/> Although the band recorded material during this time, it was ultimately not used because, according to Rose, their lack of collaboration prevented them from producing their best work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|title=Guns N' Roses Launch "Chinese Democracy" Tour in China|date=August 14, 2002|work=Guns N' Roses press release|access-date=May 16, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014050/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref> Roses's final public performance until 2001 was covering [[The Beatles]] song "[[Come Together]]" alongside [[Bruce Springsteen]] in January 1994 at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] induction ceremony.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/15-great-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-superjams-29441/|title=18 Great Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Superjams|first=Jordan|last=Runtagh|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/axl-rose-top-10-best-guest-appearances|title=Axl Rose's top 10 best guest appearances|first=Paul|last=Brannigan|date=June 3, 2016|website=Louder}}</ref>

In August 1995, Rose legally left the band and created a new partnership under the band's name, a step he said he took "to salvage Guns not steal it".<ref name="PRTN">{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=3350|title=1995: Chinese Whispers / 1995 / GNR Evolution - Guns N Roses Forum|website=www.gnrevolution.com}}</ref> Rose reportedly purchased the full rights to the Guns N' Roses name in 1997.<ref name="gnrname">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/508988/axl-rose-buys-guns-n-roses-name/|title=Axl Rose Buys "Guns N' Roses" Name|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=January 30, 1997|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|quote="Guns N' Roses leader Axl Rose has bought the rights to the name "Guns N' Roses," and can put out any music he wants under that moniker, played by anyone he chooses"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630062052/http://www.mtv.com/news/508988/axl-rose-buys-guns-n-roses-name/|archive-date=June 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=7|title=Axl Rose Buys "Guns N' Roses" Name|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=January 30, 1997|work=heretodaygonetohell.com; Addicted To Noise|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216081305/http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=7|archive-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> Slash claimed he and other bandmates signed away rights to the name before the July 5, 1993, show in Barcelona, Spain with Axl delivering an ultimatum: they had to sign the name over to him or he would not perform.<ref name="RollingStone00">{{cite magazine|title=What Happened to Axl Rose: The Inside Story of Rock's Most Famous Recluse|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 11, 2000|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=32|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906062814/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=32|archive-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> (In 2008, however, Rose said Slash's claims were false and that the alleged coercion would have rendered the contract legally untenable.<ref>{{cite news|title=Axl Rose: Why I Am Continuing To Use Name Guns N' Roses|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 14, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2012|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-why-i-am-continung-to-use-name-guns-n-roses/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311010855/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-why-i-am-continung-to-use-name-guns-n-roses/|archive-date=March 11, 2014}}</ref>)

Slash finally left Guns N' Roses in October 1996 due to his differences with Rose,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429823/g-n-rs-blizzard-of-acrimony/|title=G n' R's Blizzard of Acrimony|date=November 8, 1996|work=MTV News|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519022453/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429823/g-n-rs-blizzard-of-acrimony/|archive-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> while Matt Sorum was fired in June 1997 after an argument over Tobias's involvement in the band.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harkness|first=Geoff|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/|title=Seven Questions with Matt Sorum of The Cult|work=Lawrence Journal-World|date=June 28, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002401/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/|archive-date=September 14, 2008|access-date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Duff McKagan departed the band in August of that year, leaving Rose and Dizzy Reed as the only remaining band members of the ''Use Your Illusion'' era.<ref name="RollingStone00"/>

As the stability of Guns N' Roses collapsed, Rose withdrew from public view. The band never officially broke up as Rose continued to recruit new musicians to replace band members who either left or were fired. By the late 1990s, he was considered to be a recluse, rarely making public appearances and spending most of his time in his mansion in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]]. In various media reports, he was referred to as the "[[Howard Hughes]] of rock" and "rock's greatest recluse".<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Sutcliffe01">{{cite magazine|last=Sutcliffe|first=Phil|title=Didn't You Used to be Axl Rose?|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=May 2001|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=42|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530003051/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=42|archive-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> Rose was said to spend his nights writing and rehearsing with the various new lineups of Guns N' Roses, working on the band's next album, ''[[Chinese Democracy]]''.<ref name="RollingStone00"/>

=== 2001–2011: touring in support of ''Chinese Democracy'' ===
[[Image:AxlRose cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Rose at the [[Download Festival]] in Donington Park, England, in June 2006]]

After a warmup show in Las Vegas a few weeks earlier, Rose resurfaced with Guns N' Roses at [[Rock in Rio 3]] on January 14, 2001, to commence the decade-long [[Chinese Democracy Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-rock-in-rio-3/|title=When Guns N' Roses Debuted a New Lineup at Rock in Rio 3|first=Chris|last=Ford|date=January 14, 2016|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref> A surprise appearance at the [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards]] was followed by an incident in November when a riot erupted at Vancouver's [[General Motors Place]] after Rose failed to show up for a scheduled concert. When venue staff announced the cancellation, a riot broke out, resulting in an estimated $100,000 in damages.<ref name="ClassicRock03"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/|title=Guns N' Roses cap night of spectacles from Diddy, Eminem, Timberlake|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|date=August 29, 2002|work=MTV News|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802050634/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/|archive-date=August 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=John|title=Singer Blames Venue for Roses Riot|publisher=BBC|date=November 11, 2002|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2444663.stm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620144243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2444663.stm|archive-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> The riot led to the tour's cancelation by the promoter [[iHeartMedia|Clear Channel]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Susman |first=Gary |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/12/09/guns-n-roses-cancel-tour-after-fans-riot/ |title=Guns N' Roses cancel tour after fans riot |date=December 9, 2002 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416031630/https://ew.com/article/2002/12/09/guns-n-roses-cancel-tour-after-fans-riot/ |archive-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>

After the promoter canceled the tour, Rose again withdrew from the public view. During this time, he joined Slash and Duff McKagan in a lawsuit against Geffen Records in an unsuccessful attempt to block the release of the ''[[Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)|Greatest Hits]]'' compilation album,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|title=Axl Rose Sued By Ex-Guns N' Roses Bandmates|publisher=MTV|date=May 4, 2004|access-date=June 11, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486792/axl-rose-sued-by-exguns-n-roses-bandmates.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120074606/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486792/axl-rose-sued-by-exguns-n-roses-bandmates.jhtml|archive-date=January 20, 2011}}</ref> and lent his voice to the 2004 video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', as the DJ for the radio station, K-DST.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Axl Rose, Game, Charlie Murphy Lend Voices To 'San Andreas'|publisher=MTV|date=October 26, 2004|access-date=June 11, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493045/axl-rose-game-lend-voices-san-andreas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107095829/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493045/axl-rose-game-lend-voices-san-andreas.jhtml|archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> In a rare interview in January 2006, Rose said "people will hear music this year."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bliss|first=Karen|title=Axl Rose Breaks His Silence on 'Chinese Democracy'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 18, 2006|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-breaks-his-silence-on-chinese-democracy-20060118|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202170144/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-breaks-his-silence-on-chinese-democracy-20060118|archive-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref> While Guns N' Roses toured extensively throughout 2006 and 2007, with several guest appearances by Izzy Stradlin, ''Chinese Democracy'' again failed to materialize.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Axl Rose Sets 'Chinese Democracy' Release Date, Apologizes for Delay|publisher=MTV|date=December 15, 2006|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1548109/axl-sets-chinese-democracy-date.jhtml?rsspartner=rssyahoo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107095847/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1548109/axl-sets-chinese-democracy-date.jhtml?rsspartner=rssyahoo|archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> As the band's lineup continued to evolve, his constant bandmates were guitarist [[Richard Fortus]], bassist [[Tommy Stinson]], and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and [[Chris Pitman]]. Rose collaborated with his friend [[Sebastian Bach]] on his album ''[[Angel Down]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Angel Down Review|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=November 20, 2007|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/sebastian_bach/angel_down/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009095156/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/sebastian_bach/angel_down/index.html|archive-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref>

Fifteen years after its last album, in November 2008, Guns N' Roses released ''Chinese Democracy''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy Release Date Set|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 10, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/10/chinese-democracy-release-date-set|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024154511/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/10/chinese-democracy-release-date-set|archive-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> The protracted development of the album cost $13 million, making it the most expensive rock album of all time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html|title=The Most Expensive Album Never Made|last1=Leeds|first1=Jeff|date=March 6, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329092655/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/arts/music/the-most-expensive-album-never-made.html?mtrref=web.archive.org&mtrref=web.archive.org|url-status=live}}</ref> It received generally favorable reviews but undersold industry expectations. Rose did not contribute to the album's promotion; by December, he had reportedly been missing for at least two months and had not returned phone calls or other requests from his record label.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bingham|first=John|title=Axl Rose absence blamed for failure of Chinese Democracy to hit top spot|newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=December 2, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707105332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html|archive-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Rose said he felt he had not received the necessary support from [[Interscope Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|title=Axl Rose Speaks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 6, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623084212/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml|archive-date=June 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> A year after the album's release, in December 2009, Guns N' Roses embarked on another two-and-a-half years of touring, including a headlining performance at [[Rock in Rio#Rock in Rio 4|Rock in Rio 4]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Guns N' Roses to Launch First U.S. Tour in Five Years|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671133/guns-n-roses-us-tour.jhtml|publisher=MTV.com|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=September 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924184311/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671133/guns-n-roses-us-tour.jhtml|archive-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>

=== 2012–present: Hall of Fame and regrouping; AC/DC ===
[[file:ACDC with AxlRose WashingtonDC 17-SEP-2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Rose performing with [[AC/DC]] in 2016]]

Together with the other members of Guns N' Roses' classic lineup, Rose was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2012, their first year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 8, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/08/guns-n-roses-rock-roll-hall-fame|access-date=February 18, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005153051/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/08/guns-n-roses-rock-roll-hall-fame|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}</ref> He did not attend the induction ceremony in April, however,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cleveland's Rock Hall welcomes new class|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clevelands-rock-hall-welcomes-new-class/|work=[[CBS News]]|date=April 14, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415215813/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57414229/clevelands-rock-hall-welcomes-new-class/|archive-date=April 15, 2012}}</ref> as he had announced in an open letter three days prior.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|last=Quan|first=Denise|title=Axl Rose refuses Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honor|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/11/showbiz/axl-rose-hall-of-fame/|date=April 12, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414203300/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/11/showbiz/axl-rose-hall-of-fame/|archive-date=April 14, 2012}}</ref> Rose, who had long been on bad terms with several of his former bandmates, wrote that the ceremony "doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected".<ref name="CNN"/> He subsequently joined his band in [[Artist-in-residence|residencies]] at [[The Joint (music venue)|The Joint]] in [[Las Vegas]] in 2012 and 2014, as part of the [[Appetite for Democracy (Tour)|Appetite for Democracy Tour]] celebrating the anniversaries of ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' and ''[[Chinese Democracy]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-taking-over-las-vegas-with-appetite-for-democracy-residency-20120813|title=Guns N' Roses to Take Over Las Vegas With 'Appetite for Democracy' Residency|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003745/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-taking-over-las-vegas-with-appetite-for-democracy-residency-20120813|archive-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://lfpress.com/entertainment/music/2012/08/13/20098716-wenn-story.html|title=Guns N' Roses heading to Vegas|newspaper=London Free Press|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814203821/http://www.lfpress.com/entertainment/music/2012/08/13/20098716-wenn-story.html|archive-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> By mid-2014, the group's new album, recorded concurrently with ''Chinese Democracy'', and a remix album were completed and pending release, but no new material emerged.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|title=Axl Rose Says Guns N' Roses Have Two New Albums Completed|work=[[Revolver Magazine]]|date=June 4, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717092704/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|archive-date=July 17, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref>

[[file:Reformation des Guns N' Roses , photo exceptionnelle des trois précurseurs du groupe mythique.jpg|thumb|right|Rose (left) alongside [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] (center) and [[Duff McKagan]] (right) performing with [[Guns N' Roses]] in 2018]]

Rose and [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] reunited for the [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]], one of the most-anticipated reunion tours in rock history.<ref name="Greene16"/> Alongside [[Dizzy Reed]] and returning member [[Duff McKagan]], who had previously made guest appearances with the band, they comprised two-thirds of the band's ''Use Your Illusion''-era lineup, with ''Chinese Democracy''-era members [[Richard Fortus]] and [[Frank Ferrer]] joining new member [[Melissa Reese]] to fill in the rest of the lineup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2016/04/guns-n-roses-classic-lineup-reunites-for-first-gig-in-23-years-setlist-video/|title=Guns N Roses' classic lineup reunites for first gig in 23 years: Setlist + video|work=Consequence of Sound|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427130152/https://consequence.net/2016/04/guns-n-roses-classic-lineup-reunites-for-first-gig-in-23-years-setlist-video/|archive-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6029516/duff-mckagan-reuniting-with-guns-n-roses-to-help-axl-out-says-tommy-stinson|first=Gary|last=Graff|title=Duff McKagan Reuniting With Guns N' Roses to 'Help Axl Out,' Says Tommy Stinson|magazine=Billboard|date=April 1, 2014|access-date=April 20, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502141446/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6029516/duff-mckagan-reuniting-with-guns-n-roses-to-help-axl-out-says-tommy-stinson|archive-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> Rose shared a stage with Slash for the first time in nearly 23 years during the group's surprise performance at The Troubadour in April 2016, ahead of its headlining shows at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]].<ref name="Greene16">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/six-questions-we-still-have-about-guns-n-roses-reunion-20160404#ixzz464xZmrOV|title=6 Questions We Still Have About Guns N' Roses' Reunion|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419043801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/six-questions-we-still-have-about-guns-n-roses-reunion-20160404#ixzz464xZmrOV|archive-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-slash-to-reunite-guns-n-roses-at-coachella-20151230|title=Axl Rose, Slash to Reunite Guns N' Roses at Coachella |first1=Kory|last1=Grow |first2=Brittany|last2=Spanos |date=December 30, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 19, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417030317/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-slash-to-reunite-guns-n-roses-at-coachella-20151230|archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> The tour was a massive success, and became the [[List of highest-grossing concert tours|third highest-grossing concert tour of all time]] at the time of its conclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-not-in-this-lifetime-believed-to-be-second-highest-grossing-tour-of-all-time/|title=GUNS N' ROSES' 'Not In This Lifetime' Believed To Be Second-Highest-Grossing Tour Of All Time|last=Blabbermouth|date=December 17, 2018|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>
[[File:Axl Rose live in London 2022.jpg|thumb|Rose performing in London in 2022.]]
On April 16, 2016, Australian [[hard rock]] band [[AC/DC]] announced that Rose would be joining them and performing as the lead singer for the remainder of the band's [[Rock or Bust World Tour]], after long-time lead vocalist [[Brian Johnson]] had to stop touring due to hearing problems.<ref name="RS April 2016">{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|access-date=April 17, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151941/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> Subsequent reports indicated that guitarist [[Angus Young]] would be continuing the band with Rose as its official lead singer.<ref>{{cite web |title=AC/DC Continuing With Axl Rose 'Never Really Came Up' |author=Martin Kielty |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=November 5, 2020 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/acdc-continuing-with-axl-rose/ |quote=}}</ref> This did not happen however; on September 30, 2020, AC/DC officially announced that Brian Johnson, along with [[Phil Rudd]] and [[Cliff Williams]] had returned to the band in 2018 and recorded an album, showing that Rose only stepped in to help finish the tour and that he was never brought in to replace Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sigler |first1=Gabriel |url=https://badfeelingmag.com/2020/09/30/ac-dc-reunite-with-vocalist-brian-johnson-tease-pwr-up-album/|title=AC/DC reunite with vocalist Brian Johnson, tease PWR/UP album|work=Bad Feeling Magazine |date=September 30, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2021}}</ref>

In 2018, Rose appeared in an episode of ''[[New Looney Tunes]]'' as himself, singing an original song "Rock the Rock".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Hear Axl Rose's First New Song in 10 Years, 'Rock the Rock' |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-new-song-rock-the-rock-775361/ |quote=}}</ref> In 2021, Rose again appeared as himself in a cartoon, this time ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=How 'Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?' Landed That Axl Rose Guest Spot |last=Greene |first=Andy |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/scooby-doo-axl-rose-cameo-interview-1132969/ |quote=}}</ref>

Rose and Guns N' Roses continued touring after the Not In This Lifetime... Tour, with the [[Guns N' Roses 2020 Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-2020-north-american-tour/ |title=Guns N' Roses Announce New 2020 Stadium Tour Dates |last=Lifton |first=Dave |date=February 3, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> The group released two singles in 2021, "[[Absurd (song)|Absurd]]" and "[[Hard Skool]]", the first release of newly recorded material since 2008. Hard Skool was heavily praised in comparison to Absurd, both songs feature vocals recorded in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guns N' Roses Share New Song "ABSUЯD" |last=Minsker |first=Evan |work=Pitchfork |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/guns-n-roses-share-new-song-absurd-listen/ }}</ref><ref name="HARDSK">{{cite web |title=GUNS N' ROSES To Release New Single 'Hard Skool' This Friday |author= |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021 |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-to-release-new-single-hard-skool-this-friday/ |language= |quote=}}</ref>

In 2023, Rose and the band would release the two singles "[[Perhaps (song)|Perhaps]]" and "[[The General (Guns N' Roses song)|The General]]", the latter having a music video uploaded to YouTube on January 24.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=August 18, 2023 |title=Watch: GUNS N' ROSES Releases Official Music Video For 'Perhaps' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-guns-n-roses-releases-official-music-video-for-perhaps |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-releases-cinematic-a-i-generated-animated-music-video-for-the-general|title=GUNS N' ROSES Releases Cinematic A.I.-Generated Animated Music Video For 'The General'|date=January 24, 2024|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> In addition, they performed live in [[Indio, California|Indio]], California at Coachella in October as part of the [[Guns N' Roses 2023 Tour|2023 tour]] and had their first headlining slot at [[Glastonbury Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66011512|title=Glastonbury review: Guns N' Roses are sporadically brilliant, while Lana Del Rey is cut short|work=BBC News |date=June 25, 2023}}</ref> The band [[Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour|continued touring]] in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Irwin |first1=Corey |title=Guns N' Roses Announce 2025 Tour Dates |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-2025-tour/ |website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |access-date=January 18, 2025 |language=en |date=December 9, 2024}}</ref>

In September 2025, [[Sumerian Comics]] announced Rose will be co-writing a new [[graphic novel]] alongside Nathan Yocum titled ''Axl Rose: Appetite For Destruction''. The co-author described it as a "raw, neon-noir [[fever dream]], part rock anthem, part cyberpunk prophecy".<ref>[https://blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-singer-axl-rose-and-sumerian-comics-announce-axl-rose-appetite-for-destruction-graphic-novel GUNS N' ROSES Singer AXL ROSE And SUMERIAN COMICS Announce 'Axl Rose: Appetite For Destruction' Graphic Novel]</ref>

== Artistry ==
===Influences===
An early influence on Rose was [[Dan McCafferty]] of [[Nazareth (band)|Nazareth]]. He stated in a 1988 interview, "If it wasn't for Dan McCafferty and Nazareth I wouldn't be singing. I used to lock myself in the bathroom and try to hit those notes in "[[Love Hurts#Nazareth version|Love Hurts]]", ya know?".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/axl-rose-pays-tribute-to-late-nazareth-singer-dan-mccafferty-a-tough-pill-to-swallow|title=Axl Rose pays tribute to late Nazareth singer Dan McCafferty: "a tough pill to swallow"|first=Fraser|last=Lewrypublished|date=November 20, 2022|website=Louder}}</ref> Rose was also influenced by [[Hanoi Rocks]],<ref name="slash2007">{{Cite book |last1=Slash |title=Slash |last2=Anthony Bozza |date=October 30, 2007 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-06-135142-6}}</ref> [[Queen (band)|Queen]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ressner|first=Jeffrey|title=Queen singer is rock's first major AIDS casualty|magazine=Rolling Stone|issue=621|page=13|date=January 9, 1992|url=http://queenzone.com/queenzone/article_show.aspx?q=96 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312060354/http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/article_show.aspx?q=96 |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[AC/DC]],<ref name="Fink2014">{{cite book|first=Jesse|last=Fink|title=The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U1dGAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA21|date=August 5, 2014|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4668-6520-4|page=21|quote=Matt Sorum: "Guns N' Roses always looked to all the great bands as influences, AC/DC at the top of that list"}}</ref> [[the Rolling Stones]],<ref>{{harvnb|Wall|2008|page=118}}</ref><ref name="influ">{{harvnb|Stenning|2005|page=[https://archive.org/details/gunsnrosesbandth00sten/page/n95 95]}}. "Our basic root is hard rock, a bit heavier than the Stones, more in a vein like Aerosmith."</ref> [[Aerosmith]],<ref name="influ" /> [[Rose Tattoo]],<ref name="Stenning">{{harvnb|Stenning|2005|p=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58946/rose-tattoos-pete-wells-dies|title=Rose Tattoo's Pete Wells Dies|date=March 28, 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 19, 2015|quote=Rose Tattoo's influence later became apparent on U.S. rock combos like Guns N' Roses, who covered its track 'Nice Boys (Don't Play Rock'n'Roll)'.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133611/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58946/rose-tattoos-pete-wells-dies|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> [[Led Zeppelin]], [[the Who]], [[Cheap Trick]] (particularly the live album ''[[Cheap Trick at Budokan]]''), [[Judas Priest]] (''[[Unleashed in the East]]''),<ref name="88int"/> [[Aerosmith]], [[Van Halen]], the [[New York Dolls]],<ref name="amg-afd">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r8759|pure_url=yes}}|title=AllMusic – Appetite For Destruction|access-date=July 19, 2007|publisher=[[All Media Guide]]}}</ref> [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://avclub.com/article/the-glam-wizardry-of-marc-bolan-from-solo-to-t-rex-101335|title=The glam wizardry of Marc Bolan, from solo to T. Rex|access-date=September 5, 2015|last=Heller|first=Jason|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=August 8, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906195234/http://www.avclub.com/article/the-glam-wizardry-of-marc-bolan-from-solo-to-t-rex-101335|archive-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> the [[Sex Pistols]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Greer|first=Jim|title=7 Greatest Bands of All Time: Sex Pistols|magazine=Spin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BIp60FGwMK4C&pg=PT4|access-date=September 5, 2015|date=April 1992|pages=4–|issn=0886-3032}}</ref> [[Black Sabbath]],<ref name="RnR Hall of Fame">{{cite web |title=Black Sabbath |url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/black-sabbath/bio/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628090320/http://rockhall.com/inductees/black-sabbath/bio/ |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2010 |publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]}}</ref> and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Zutaut|first=Tom|date=March 2008|title=GN'R Exclusive! Psychic Tests! Pet Wolves! Chicken Coops! Chinese Democracy. The Unbelievable true story – told for the first time.|magazine=Classic Rock |publisher=TeamRock|issue=116 |quote=The first task set to [Zutaut] by [Axl] was to help with the drum sound for the album's title track. Axl had told the studio guys that he wanted the same drum sound as Dave Grohl on Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit}}</ref> Rose's orchestral-style songwriting on the ''Illusion'' albums was influenced by the [[Electric Light Orchestra]], [[Elton John]], and Queen, particularly their album ''[[Queen II]]''.<ref>{{harvnb|Stenning|2005|page=[https://archive.org/details/gunsnrosesbandth00sten/page/n96 96]}}. "Axl was also succinct in admitting his other influences ... Along with ELO and Queen, Elton John was responsible for Guns N' Roses progression."</ref> Rose cited the Rolling Stones songs "[[Far Away Eyes]]" and "[[Miss You (Rolling Stones song)|Miss You]]" as favorites.<ref name="88int">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetapesarchive.com/axl-rose/|title=Axl Rose (Gun N' Roses) 1987 Interview|website=The Tapes Archive}}</ref>

In the early 90's, Rose became a fan of [[electronica]] and [[industrial music]], particularly the works of [[Nine Inch Nails]], influencing Rose during the development of ''[[Chinese Democracy]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-my-world/|title=Axl Rose's Divisive 'My World' Points to Guns N' Roses' Future|first=Matthew|last=Wilkening|date=September 29, 2021|website=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref><ref name="Wall2008p263">{{harvnb|Wall|2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/warunauthorizedb00wall/page/263 263]}}</ref> He also cited the [[U2]] and [[Brian Eno]] collaboration ''[[Original Soundtracks 1]]'' as a major influence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wake |first=Matt |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Why is Nine Inch Nails' ex-drummer teaching college in Alabama? |url=https://www.al.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/10/2b578ecb8a5013/why-is-nine-inch-nails-marilyn.html |access-date=December 31, 2018 |website=[[The Birmingham News]]}}</ref>

In a 2016 interview, Rose cited [[Freddie Mercury]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[Paul McCartney]], Dan McCafferty, [[Janis Joplin]], [[Michael Jackson]], Elton John, [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Don Henley]], [[Jeff Lynne]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Jimmy Scott]], [[Etta James]], [[Fiona Apple]], [[Chrissie Hynde]], [[Stevie Wonder]], and [[James Brown]] as among his favorite singers.<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> Rose later cited Queen as his favorite band, and Mercury as his favorite singer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-quotes-2016/|title=20 Things We Learned During Axl Rose's New Q&A Session|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=June 8, 2016 }}</ref>

===<!-- Songwriting and  -->Voice===
Rose's [[voice type]] is [[bass-baritone]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicianwave.com/axl-rose-vocal-range/|title=Axl Rose's Incredible Vocal Range?|first=Berk|last=Oztuna|date=May 25, 2022}}</ref> A study of the vocal ranges on studio recordings of singers included on ''Rolling Stone'''s "[[Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time|100 Greatest Singers of All-Time]]" list concluded Rose had the highest vocal range, ranging five octaves from F1 to Bb6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/wtf/axl_rose_is_the_greatest_singer_of_all_time_based_on_vocal_range_research_finds.html|title=Axl Rose Is the Greatest Singer of All Time Based on Vocal Range, Research Finds|website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informationisbeautifulawards.com/showcase/1102-the-vocal-ranges-of-the-world-s-greatest-singers|title=The Vocal Ranges of the World's Greatest Singers|website=www.informationisbeautifulawards.com}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
[[File:Axl Rose Nottingham 2012.JPG|thumb|Rose performing "[[November Rain]]" at [[Nottingham Arena]] in [[Nottingham]], England, in May 2012]]
During his late teens, Rose was diagnosed with [[bipolar disorder]] after a psychiatrist interpreted his delinquent behavior as evidence of psychosis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn |date=February 6, 2021 |title=9 of the Nicest Things Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose Has Ever Done |url=https://loudwire.com/nice-things-axl-rose-has-done/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=Loudwire}}</ref> The same evaluation noted his high [[Intelligence quotient|IQ]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Tannenbaum |first=Rob |date=November 17, 1988 |title=The Hard Truth About Guns N' Roses |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-hard-truth-about-guns-n-roses-56711/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |quote=Axl Rose grew up as Bill Bailey, the son of L. Stephen and Sharon Bailey. He was the local juvenile delinquent in Lafayette, Indiana, and was arrested, by his count, 'over 20 times,' serving as long as three months in jail and representing himself at trials '{{'}}cause I didn't trust the public defenders for shit.' A psychiatrist who noted Bailey's high IQ decided that his behavior was evidence of psychosis.}}</ref>  Rose later questioned the diagnosis, stating in an interview that it was based solely on a standardized test: "All of a sudden I'm diagnosed manic-depressive... The medication doesn't help me deal with stress. The only thing it does is help keep people off my back".<ref name="RIPJames89"/>

Despite his volatile public image, Rose was not a habitual drug user, though he occasionally experimented.<ref name="Kent03"/><ref name="RIPJames89">{{cite magazine|last=James|first=Del|title=The World According to W. Axl Rose|magazine=[[RIP (magazine)|RIP]]|date=April 1989|access-date=June 11, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711164133/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=2|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1986, he intentionally overdosed on painkillers during a period of stress, later recalling: "I just grabbed the bottle of pills in an argument and just gulped them down... I ended up in the hospital." The experience inspired the lyrics to "[[Coma (Guns N' Roses song)|Coma]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrsource.net/the-library/tv-shows/mtv-famous-last-words-with-kurt-loder-axl-rose/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221185017/http://www.gnrsource.net/the-library/tv-shows/mtv-famous-last-words-with-kurt-loder-axl-rose/|title=MTV Famous Last Words with Kurt Loder – Axl Rose &#124; GN'R Source|archive-date=February 21, 2013|access-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, Rose embraced [[Homeopathy|homeopathic]] medicine and began undergoing [[past life regression]] therapy.<ref name="RollingStone00"/> He publicly shared memories of being sexually abused by his biological father at age two, which he said stunted his emotional development:<ref name="RollingStoneBio"/><ref name="Neely92"/><ref name="Sischy92">{{cite magazine|last=Sischy|first=Ingrid|title=Axl: The Rose Grows|magazine=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]|date=May 1992|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-199205-I.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605042402/http://hem.passagen.se/snoqalf/art-199205-I.html|archive-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref> "When they talk about Axl Rose being a screaming two-year-old, they're right".<ref name="Neely92"/> He attributed recurring health issues to psychosomatic "self-punishment",<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Lonn M.|last=Friend|title=Guns N' Roses From the Inside|magazine=RIP|date=March 1992|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=9|access-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202728/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=9|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> and during the Chinese Democracy sessions, employed a psychic to evaluate potential hires by reading their [[Aura (paranormal)|auras]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Zutaut|first=Tom|date=March 2008|title=GN'R Exclusive! Psychic Tests! Pet Wolves! Chicken Coops! CHINESE DEMOCRACY. The Unbelievable true story – told for the first time.|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/guns-n-roses-the-making-of-chinese-democracy|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|issue=116|access-date=May 19, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709055603/https://www.loudersound.com/features/guns-n-roses-the-making-of-chinese-democracy|archive-date=July 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jan/03/popandrock.artsfeatures |title=IS Axl Rose finished? |last=Kent |first=Nick |date=January 3, 2003 |website=The Guardian |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>

Responding to criticism of misogynistic lyrics, Rose acknowledged deep-seated resentment toward women rooted in childhood experiences.<ref name="Neely92"/> In a 1992 interview, he said: "I've had problems with my own masculinity... My mother picked my stepfather over me and watched me get beaten by him... I overheard my grandma going off on men when I was four".<ref name="Neely92"/>

===Relationships===
In early 1986, Rose began a relationship with Erin Everly, daughter of Don Everly of [[the Everly Brothers]]. He wrote "Sweet Child o' Mine" for her, and she appeared in its music video. The couple married in Las Vegas on April 28, 1990,<ref name="Dougherty94">{{cite magazine|last=Dougherty |first=Steve |title=Bye Bye Love |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=July 18, 1994 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20103471,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521021957/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20103471,00.html |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> but Rose filed for divorce less than a month later.<ref name="Spitz99"/> They briefly reconciled, and Everly became pregnant.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Bad to the Bone |date=November 1990 |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |issue=8 |volume=6 |issn=0886-3032|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yVNtVrHdIasC |last=Sugerman |first=Danny |page=97 |access-date=March 1, 2024}}</ref> They chose names - Shiloh Blue for a boy, Willow Amelia for a girl - but she miscarried in October 1990, which deeply affected Rose.<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Dougherty94"/> Following an altercation, Everly left in November, and the marriage was annulled in January 1991.<ref name="Dougherty94"/>

In mid-1991, Rose entered a high-profile relationship with supermodel [[Stephanie Seymour]], who appeared in the videos for "[[Don't Cry]]" and "[[November Rain]]". Rose grew close to Seymour's son, Dylan, and tried to be a father figure, having lacked one himself.<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Kent03"/> The couple became engaged in February 1993 but separated three weeks later.<ref name="Dougherty94"/>

Rose is close friends with rock singer [[Sebastian Bach]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rockcelebrities.net/sebastian-bach-shares-his-biggest-regret-caused-by-axl-rose-friendship/|title=Sebastian Bach Shares His Biggest Regret Caused By Axl Rose Friendship|first=Deniz|last=Kivilcim|date=June 18, 2024|website=Rock Celebrities}}</ref> and in 2012, he befriended [[Lana Del Rey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/04/lana-del-rey-and-axl-rose-are-hanging-out-together.html|title=So, Lana Del Rey and Axl Rose Are Hanging Out Together|first=Amanda|last=Dobbins|date=April 9, 2012|website=Vulture}}</ref> He was also close with [[Lisa Marie Presley]] and performed "November Rain" at her memorial service in 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lisa-marie-presley-graceland-memorial-axl-rose-november-rain-1235203239/|title=Axl Rose Delivers Heartfelt Speech, Performs 'November Rain' at Lisa Marie Presley's Graceland Memorial Service|first=Mitchell|last=Peters|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=January 22, 2023}}</ref>

Rose's friendship with Slash deteriorated after Slash left Guns N' Roses in 1996. In 2006, Rose claimed Slash had shown up uninvited the previous year to offer a truce.<ref name="Slash 2008 446">{{harvnb|Slash|Bozza|2008|p=446}}</ref> In 2009, Rose referred to him as "a cancer."<ref name="idiomag2009-03-23">{{cite web | title = Slash Shrugs Off Axl Rose's Latest Tirade | publisher=[[idiomag]] | date = March 22, 2009 | url = http://www.idiomag.com/peek/71583/slash#/71583/1/ | access-date = April 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408051509/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/71583/slash|archive-date=April 8, 2009}}</ref> By August 2015, Slash stated they had reconciled, later explaining: "We had a lot of issues born out of third-party stuff... the longer we didn't talk, the more it got blown out of proportion".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/slash-axl-rose-reconciliation-6671188/|title=Slash on Reconciling With Axl Rose: 'It Was Probably Way Overdue'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228215147/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6671188/slash-axl-rose-reconciliation|archive-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/slash-guns-n-roses-conspirators-last-word-interview-1296043/|title=Slash on Keeping the Peace in GN'R and Seeing Rock 'Go Down the F-king Tubes'|first=Kory|last=Grow|website=Rollingstone.com|date=February 11, 2022|access-date=June 19, 2025}}</ref>

==== Beta Lebeis and Team Brazil ====
[[file:Axl Rose in 2023.png|thumb|Rose in 2023.]]
In the mid-to-late 1990s, Rose grew close to his assistant Beta Lebeis, describing her as a maternal figure.<ref>[https://www.angelfire.com/rock2/2001axl/articles/BETA2.html Interview with Beta Lebeis Beth, the ' Brazilian and tattooed mama' of Axl Rose (July)]</ref> Lebeis said, "According to him, I am the mother he never had".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t4758-2001-01-22-bolsa-de-mulher-interview-with-beta-lebeis|title=2001.01.22 - Bolsa de Mulher - Interview with Beta Lebeis|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref> They first met in 1991 while she was babysitting Seymour's son.<ref name="beta">{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t4741-2001-01-16-o-globo-interview-with-doug-goldstein-and-beta-lebeis|title=2001.01.16 - O Globo - Interview with Doug Goldstein and Beta Lebeis|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref> By the late 2000s, Beta and her son Fernando became the de facto managers of Guns N' Roses under the name "Team Brazil," following issues with previous management.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.pollstar.com/2025/06/06/guns-n-roses-extending-global-run-with-latin-american-dates/|title=Guns N' Roses Extending Global Run With Latin American Dates - Pollstar News|date=June 6, 2025|website=news.pollstar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/axl-rose-interview-that-metal-show|title=What happened when Axl Rose gave his first TV interview in more than a decade|date=February 6, 2024|website=Louder}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2011-dec-21-la-et-12-20-axl-rose-interview-20111221-story.html|title=Axl Rose's appetite is for today's Guns N' Roses|first=Randall|last=Roberts|date=December 21, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224230131/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/21/entertainment/la-et-12-20-axl-rose-interview-20111221|archive-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref>

At Rock in Rio III in 2001, Rose publicly thanked Beta and her family: "I've been taken care of for the last seven years by a Brazilian family... She has been a mother to me, to my manager, to my other assistants and anyone in the band who ever needed her".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.a-4-d.com/t2045-2001-01-15-rock-in-rio-iii-rio-de-janeiro-brazil|title=2001.01.15 - Rock in Rio III, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil|website=www.a-4-d.com}}</ref>

===Politics===
On April 28, 2015, Rose sent a letter to Indonesian President [[Joko Widodo]] urging the removal of the death penalty option in the [[Bali Nine]] case on humanitarian grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://htgth.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=2379|title=Guns N' Roses News: Axl Rose's letter to Indonesian President|work=HTGTH |access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306222558/http://htgth.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=2379|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-axl-roses-letter-to-indonesian-president-regarding-bali-nine-20150428|title=Axl Rose Releases Letter to Indonesian President Regarding Bali Nine |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 28, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/axl-rose-letter-pardon-andrew-chan-myuran-sukumaran-indonesia-6546294/|title=Read Axl Rose's Letter to Indonesian President Asking for Execution Pardons|magazine=Billboard|date=April 29, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804173153/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6546294/axl-rose-letter-pardon-andrew-chan-myuran-sukumaran-indonesia|archive-date=August 4, 2015}}</ref> Following the execution of two individuals, Rose publicly criticized Widodo for "ignoring the international outcry".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/30/axl-rose-critical-of-indonesia-after-public-appeal-fails-to-stop-executions|title=Axl Rose critical of Indonesia after appeal fails to stop executions|last=Hunt|first=Elle|work=the Guardian|date=April 30, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807172939/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/30/axl-rose-critical-of-indonesia-after-public-appeal-fails-to-stop-executions|archive-date=August 7, 2015}}</ref>

Rose has frequently used Twitter to voice political opinions, including criticism of figures in the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/music/axl-rose-explains-why-he-speaks-out-against-trump-administration/|title=Axl Rose Explains 'Disdain' for Trump Administration, Says He Speaks Out So He's Not 'Complicit'|website=People.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-political-outspokenness-july-4th-message-1024314/|title=Axl Rose Defends His Political Outspokenness in July 4th Message|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=July 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/axl-rose-trump-campaign-rally-plays-guns-n-roses-song_n_5be0a9fee4b04367a87f8129|title=Axl Rose Is Not Happy Political 'S**tbags' Like Trump Use His Music At Rallies|date=November 5, 2018|website=HuffPost}}</ref> and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] CEO [[Tim Cook]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/05/11/axl-rose-small-hopeful-example-for-our-fractured-nation/wPwZY2XvDVelvZXzRqjIoI/story.html |title=Axl Rose — a small, hopeful example for our fractured nation? |last=Graham |first=Renée |date=May 11, 2018 |website=Boston Globe |access-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516061144/https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2018/05/11/axl-rose-small-hopeful-example-for-our-fractured-nation/wPwZY2XvDVelvZXzRqjIoI/story.html |archive-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/axl-rose-calls-melania-trump-alleged-former-hooker-twitter-rant |title=Axl Rose Calls Melania Trump "Alleged Former Hooker" in Twitter Rant |last=Camp |first=Zoe |date=March 2, 2018 |website=Revolvermag.com |access-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303201453/https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/axl-rose-calls-melania-trump-alleged-former-hooker-twitter-rant |archive-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/axl-rose-apple-tim-cook-donald-trump-2256983 |title=Axl Rose compares Apple's Tim Cook to Donald Trump |last=Britton |first=Luke |date=March 8, 2018 |website=NME |access-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325051754/http://www.nme.com/news/music/axl-rose-apple-tim-cook-donald-trump-2256983 |archive-date=March 25, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-says-donald-trumps-white-house-is-gold-standard-of-what-can-be-considered-disgraceful/ |title=Axl Rose Says Donald Trump's White House Is 'Gold Standard Of What Can Be Considered Disgraceful' |date=January 4, 2018 |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105024253/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-says-donald-trumps-white-house-is-gold-standard-of-what-can-be-considered-disgraceful/ |archive-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> On May 7, 2020, he condemned Treasury Secretary [[Steven Mnuchin]]'s handling of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], prompting a direct response from Mnuchin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/07/politics/axl-rose-steve-mnuchin/index.html  |title=Axl Rose and Mnuchin engage in not-so-civil pandemic Twitter war |date=May 7, 2020 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52582023?intlink_from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story|title= Axl Rose and Steven Mnuchin in coronavirus Twitter spat|date=May 7, 2020 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-05-07/coronavirus-axl-rose-steven-mnuchin-twitter|title=Axl Rose called Steven Mnuchin an expletive on Twitter, sparking 2020's weirdest feud |date=May 7, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref> Guns N' Roses later released a T-shirt satirizing the administration's pandemic response.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/guns-n-roses-tears-into-trump-with-live-n-let-die-with-covid-45-shirt-1234606450/|title=Guns N' Roses Tears Into Trump With 'Live N' Let Die With COVID 45′ Shirt|first=Jordan|last=Moreau|date=May 13, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref>

==Legal issues==
As a teenager in Indiana, Rose was arrested more than 20 times.<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/> He later said, "Five of those times I was guilty... I was drinking at a party underage. The other times I got busted because the cops hated me".<ref>{{cite news |last=Elliot |first=Paul |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/archive-guns-n-roses-raise-hell-in-the-city-of-angels |title=Interview: Guns N' Roses Raise Hell In The City Of Angels |work=Classic Rock Magazine |date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2025 }}</ref>

In November 1987, Rose was arrested onstage after assaulting a security guard during a concert.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/278325/ATLANTA-DECLINES-TO-BEAT-DRUMS-FOR-FIERY-SINGER.html|title=Atlanta declines to beat drums for fiery singer|date=March 3, 1993|website=[[Deseret News]] |access-date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230126/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/278325/ATLANTA-DECLINES-TO-BEAT-DRUMS-FOR-FIERY-SINGER.html|archive-date=September 23, 2015 |quote=Last time he was there in 1987 he brawled with security guards, punched an Atlanta cop and got arrested.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Axl Rose Assaults Security Guard – 25 Most Destructive Guns N' Roses Moments |last1=Hartmann |first1=Graham |website=Loudwire.com |date=July 20, 2012 |url= http://loudwire.com/axl-rose-assaults-security-guard-25-most-destructive-guns-n-roses-moments/|access-date=June 9, 2015|quote=If we know just one thing about Axl Rose, it's that the frontman loves himself a good physical confrontation. Perhaps the earliest of the Axl Rose incidents, the vocalist was arrested onstage during a 1987 show in Atlanta for punching a security guard. |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150521153929/http://loudwire.com/axl-rose-assaults-security-guard-25-most-destructive-guns-n-roses-moments/|archive-date=May 21, 2015}}</ref> He was held backstage and offered release if he apologized, but refused and was taken into custody.<ref name="vult_Conc">{{cite web |title=Concert Promoters Share Their Guns N' Roses War Stories |author=Steve Knopper |work=Vulture |date=March 23, 2016 |access-date=August 12, 2021 |url= https://www.vulture.com/2016/03/concert-promoters-share-their-gnr-war-stories.html }}</ref>

In 1990, Rose was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking his neighbor with an empty wine bottle.<ref name="LATIM">{{cite web |title=Singer Axl Rose Accused of Assault : Dispute: A neighbor alleges the Guns N' Roses rock star hit her with a wine bottle after an argument. He says she is the one who has caused problems. |author= |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 31, 1990 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-31-me-3311-story.html |quote=}}</ref> He claimed the neighbor had swung a bottle at him first, following repeated disputes over loud music.<ref name="LATIM"/> The incident inspired the lyrics to "Right Next Door to Hell" on ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Axl Rose's Neighbor Inspired 'Right Next Door to Hell' |author= |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=September 1, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-right-next-door-to-hell/ |quote=}}</ref>

In 1992, Rose was arrested for his role in the [[Riverport Riot]], which occurred the previous year when he abruptly ended a concert near St. Louis.<ref name="nyti_AxlR">{{cite news |title=Axl Rose Pleads Not Guilty |agency=Associated Press |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 15, 1992 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/15/us/axl-rose-pleads-not-guilty.html }}</ref> He was found guilty of property damage and assault, fined $50,000, and sentenced to two years' probation.<ref name="vari_AxlR">{{cite news |title=Axl Rose convicted of assault |agency=Associated Press |work=Variety |date=November 10, 1992 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url= https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/axl-rose-convicted-of-assault-100475/ }}</ref>

In 1998, Rose was arrested at [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Sky Harbor Airport]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]] for threatening a security guard during a luggage search.<ref name="98arr"/> He was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.<ref name="98arr">{{cite web |title=News Flash: Axl Rose Arrested After Allegedly Threatening Security Worker |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=MTV News |date=February 11, 1998 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/3150/news-flash-axl-rose-arrested-after-allegedly-threatening-security-worker/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151128104129/http://www.mtv.com/news/3150/news-flash-axl-rose-arrested-after-allegedly-threatening-security-worker/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 28, 2015 |quote=}}</ref> His publicist described the event as a misunderstanding, saying Rose was trying to protect a fragile memento.<ref name="98arr"/>

In June 2006, Rose was arrested in Sweden for biting a security guard's leg during an altercation in a hotel lobby.<ref>{{cite web |title=Axl Rose arrested for biting security guard |author= |work=TODAY.com |date=June 27, 2006 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://www.today.com/popculture/axl-rose-arrested-biting-security-guard-1C9432639 |quote=}}</ref> He was deemed too intoxicated to be questioned immediately and was later fined $5,500 and ordered to pay $1,360 in damages.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Axl Rose Released From Stockholm Jail |magazine=Billboard |date=June 26, 2007 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57998/axl-rose-released-from-stockholm-jail}}</ref>

===Rape charge and assault allegations===
In 1985, Rose and Slash were charged with felony [[statutory rape]] following allegations that Rose had engaged in sexual activity with 15-year-old Michelle Rhoades.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Axl Rose Avoided Statutory Rape Charge From a 15-Year-Old Girl |author= |work=Ultimate Guitar |date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/how_axl_rose_avoided_statutory_rape_charge_from_a_15-year-old_girl.html |quote=}}</ref><ref name="RSMich"/> The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.<ref name="medi_Insi">{{cite book |last=Wall|first=Mick|author-link=Mick Wall|date=2016 |title= Last of the Giants: The True Story of Guns N' Roses|asin=B01ERWBODS|publisher=Trapeze  |pages= 34–35}}</ref> Slash referenced the incident in his memoir, describing a woman who "freaked out intensely" after being with Rose.<ref name="RSMich"/> Rose also commented on the event, recalling that the individual had disrupted equipment and left the premises unclothed.<ref name="medi_Insi"/>

In 2024, Rhoades publicly shared additional claims, stating she had been in a relationship with Rose at age 15 and experienced a miscarriage.<ref name="RSMich">{{cite magazine |last=Millman |first=Ethan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-sexual-assault-allegation-1235068931/ |title=Woman Details Decades-Old Sexual Assault Allegations Against Axl Rose |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2025 }}</ref> She alleged that during a visit to a studio, she was assaulted by Rose and others present, and later left the location without clothing.<ref name="RSMich"/> A third party confirmed assisting her afterward.<ref name="RSMich"/> Rhoades said she chose not to pursue charges due to emotional distress, and claimed Rose apologized to her.<ref name="RSMich"/> No legal action was taken following these renewed allegations.<ref name="RSMich"/>

In 1993, Rose filed a lawsuit against model Stephanie Seymour, alleging assault at a holiday gathering.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE BLOOM IS OFF THE ROSE |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=The Buffalo News |date=September 1, 1993 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://buffalonews.com/news/the-bloom-is-off-the-rose/article_a44fb94b-a240-5fff-8c1f-bb20f1829a93.html |quote=}}</ref> Seymour filed a counterclaim citing assault and battery.<ref>{{cite web |title=AXL ROSE, SEYMOUR ADD ASSAULT CHARGES TO ONGOING DISPUTE |author= |work=Greensboro News and Record |date=November 11, 1993 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://greensboro.com/axl-rose-seymour-add-assault-charges-to-ongoing-dispute/article_0b43b58d-8a3b-5438-a238-631396bc21ff.html |quote=}}</ref> Both suits were settled out of court.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephanie Seymour's love life: Tragic tale of failed marriages, Axl Rose assault and divorce with Peter Brant |author= |work=MEAWW |date=January 19, 2021 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://meaww.com/stephanie-seymour-love-life-axl-rose-peter-brant-tommy-andrews-son-harry-brant-dead |quote=}}</ref> In 1994, Rose's ex-wife Erin Everly filed a civil suit alleging physical and emotional abuse during their relationship, which was also settled privately.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-08-me-31419-story.html|title=Ex-Wife Sues Axl Rose, Alleging Years of Abuse|date=March 8, 1994|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/1999/07/appetite-for-self-destruction-axl-rose/|title=Appetite for Self-Destruction|last=Spitz|first=Marc|date=July 1, 1999|website=Spin}}</ref>

On November 22, 2023, Rose was sued by actress [[Sheila Kennedy]] under New York's [[Adult Survivors Act]], which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims.<ref>{{cite news |last=Butterfield |first=Michelle |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10110873/axl-rose-sexual-assault-lawsuit-sheila-kennedy/ |title=Axl Rose accused of 'violent' sexual assault by former Penthouse model |work=Global News |date=November 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ushe |first=Naledi |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/11/22/axl-rose-lawsuit-sheila-kennedy-sexual-assault-allegation/71678800007/ |title=Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses accused of 1989 sexual assault in lawsuit by former model |work=USA Today |date=November 22, 2023 }}</ref> Kennedy alleged an incident occurred in 1989 and had previously referenced it in her memoir and a documentary.<ref>{{cite news |last=Feay |first=Suzi |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6c7d2c07-b41b-4474-8913-cc734b26e05b |title=Look Away examines sexual abuse in the music business |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=May 20, 2025 }}</ref> Rose denied the allegations, stating he had no recollection of meeting Kennedy.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jill |last1=Lances |first2=Carson |last2=Blackwelder |first3=Angeline Jane |last3=Bernabe |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/guns-roses-singer-axl-rose-accused-alleged-1989/story?id=105109739 |title=Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose accused of alleged 1989 sexual assault by former model |work=ABC News |date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> His legal team filed to dismiss the suit in February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/axl-rose-files-to-dismiss-lawsuit-against-him-alleged-1989-sexual-assault-8606117|title=Axl Rose Files to Dismiss Lawsuit from Former Model Who Sued Him for Alleged 1989 Sexual Assault|website=People.com}}</ref> The case was privately settled with prejudice in December 2024, with Rose reiterating his denial: "As I have said from the beginning, I deny the allegations. There was no assault".<ref>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Walden |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/guns-n-roses-axl-rose-settles-lawsuit-over-sexual-assault-allegations/ |title=Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose Settles Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations |work=Pitchfork |date=December 4, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-12-05/axl-rose-sexual-assault-lawsuit-settlement |title=Axl Rose settles sexual assault lawsuit, doubles down on defense: 'There was no assault' |work=Los Angeles TImes |date=December 5, 2024 }}</ref>

===Lawsuits===
In 1992, an audience member involved in the Riverport Riot sued Rose for $210,000 in damages. The case was settled out of court for $160,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Axl Rose and Fan Settle Lawsuit |author= |work=Associated Press |date= |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://apnews.com/article/920ac91d7d87b70843b399029065c5cc |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=NOT A ROSY TIME FOR AXL FRIENDS |author= |newspaper=Washington Post |date=December 29, 1993 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1993/12/29/not-a-rosy-time-for-axl-friends/df5b2425-7520-43a6-be7a-b4330fd6052c/ |quote=60,000 }}</ref>

In 2004, Rose unsuccessfully attempted to block the release of ''[[The Roots of Guns N' Roses]]'', a compilation of early [[Hollywood Rose]] recordings.<ref name="ROOTS"/> Later that year, he joined Slash and Duff McKagan in an unsuccessful lawsuit to prevent the release of ''[[Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)|Greatest Hits]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/report-guns-n-roses-may-sue-to-block-greatest-hits-album/|title=Report: Guns N' Roses may sue to block 'Greatest Hits' album|first=Borivoj|last=Krgin|date=February 18, 2004|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=February 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214153112/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/report-guns-n-roses-may-sue-to-block-greatest-hits-album/|archive-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> In 2006, Slash and McKagan sued Rose over publishing and songwriting credits, which Rose attributed to a clerical error during a publisher transition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1508091/slash-duff-sue-axl-over-guns-n-roses-publishing-royalties/|title=Slash, Duff sue Axl over Guns N' Roses publishing royalties|work=MTV News|access-date=February 14, 2015|date=August 22, 2005|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214050308/http://www.mtv.com/news/1508091/slash-duff-sue-axl-over-guns-n-roses-publishing-royalties/|archive-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref>

In 2010, Rose was sued by a rental company for returning a leased car in damaged condition and failing to make payments dating back to 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 28, 2010 |title=STRANGE BUT TRUE: Lawsuit Says Axl Rose Battered a Bentley |url=https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/strange-but-true-lawsuit-says-axl-rose-battered-a-bentley/ |website=BodyShop Business}}</ref>

That same year, former manager [[Irving Azoff]] filed a lawsuit seeking $1.87 million in unpaid touring fees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1634771/axl-rose-sued-by-management-company-for-nearly-2-million/|title=Axl Rose Sued By Management Company For Nearly $2 Million|last=Montgomery|first=James|date=March 26, 2010|work=MTV News|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083534/http://www.mtv.com/news/1634771/axl-rose-sued-by-management-company-for-nearly-2-million/|archive-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958831/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million#/news/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million-1004078635.story|title=Axl Rose Sued By Manager For Nearly $2 Million|agency=Associated Press|date=March 26, 2010|work=Billboard.com|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515171218/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958831/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million#/news/axl-rose-sued-by-manager-for-nearly-2-million-1004078635.story|archive-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref><ref name="azoff">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958191/axl-rose-slams-irving-azoff-in-5-million-countersuit|title=Axl Rose Slams Irving Azoff In $5 Million Countersuit|last=Gardner|first=Eriq|date=May 19, 2010|work=Billboard.com|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925220805/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/958191/axl-rose-slams-irving-azoff-in-5-million-countersuit|archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Rose countersued, alleging mismanagement and intentional sabotage of album sales to pressure a reunion with former bandmates.<ref name="EWsuit">{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/05/19/axl-rose-manager-lawsuit|title=Axl Rose sues former manager over alleged 'sabotage'|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|date=May 19, 2010|work=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505075458/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/05/19/axl-rose-manager-lawsuit|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/axl-rose-sues-his-former-manager-for-5-million/|title=Axl Rose Sues His Former Manager for $5 Million|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Sisario|date=May 18, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150729090034/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/axl-rose-sues-his-former-manager-for-5-million/|archive-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> Both suits were settled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-settles-lawsuit/|title=Axl Rose Settles Lawsuit Against Former Manager Irving Azoff|last=Sciarretto|first=Amy|date=June 16, 2011|work=Ultimate Classic Rock|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430023654/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/axl-rose-settles-lawsuit/|archive-date=April 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/settlements-reached-in-lawsuits-between-axl-rose-and-former-manager/|title=Settlements Reached in Lawsuits Between Axl Rose And Former Manager|date=June 14, 2011|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505080345/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/settlements-reached-in-lawsuits-between-axl-rose-and-former-manager/|archive-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref> Rose later stated the settlement required Guns N' Roses to perform a number of shows promoted by Azoff's company, [[Live Nation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2011-dec-21-la-et-12-20-axl-rose-interview-20111221-story.html|first=Randall|last=Roberts|title=Axl Rose's appetite is for today's Guns N' Roses|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=June 8, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224230131/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/21/entertainment/la-et-12-20-axl-rose-interview-20111221|archive-date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> Azoff denied pressuring Rose to reunite with the old lineup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-guns-n-roses-manager-denies-pressuring-axl-rose-to-reunite-classic-lineup|title=Former GUNS N' ROSES Manager Denies Pressuring AXL ROSE To Reunite Classic Lineup|date=February 12, 2016|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>

In November 2010, Rose sued [[Activision]] for $20 million, claiming the company violated an agreement by featuring Slash and Velvet Revolver imagery in  ''[[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]'' despite licensing "Welcome to the Jungle".<ref name="THR">{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/axl-rose-loses-20m-lawsuit-417262|first=Eriq|last=Gardner|title=Axl Rose Loses $20M Lawsuit Against Activision for Featuring Slash|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=January 13, 2013|access-date=June 8, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801163511/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/axl-rose-loses-20m-lawsuit-417262|archive-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/12-infamous-lawsuits-in-classic-rock-history/|title=12 infamous lawsuits in music history|first=Eli|last=Duxson|date=January 16, 2024|website=Mixdown Magazine}}</ref> The lawsuit was dismissed in 2013 due to the statute of limitations and reliance on oral agreements.<ref name="THR" /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/02/axl-rose-guitar-hero/|title=Judge Dismisses Axl Rose's $20M Guitar Hero Lawsuit|first=Ryan|last=Rigney|magazine=Wired |via=www.wired.com}}</ref>

Rose faced additional lawsuits related to concert incidents. In 2013, a man sued after being struck by a microphone at an Australian show, resulting in dental injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2013/03/14/axl-rose-sued-by-australian-guns-n-roses-fan-who-was-hit-in-mouth-by-flying-mic/|title=Axl Rose sued by Australian Guns N' Roses fan who was hit in mouth by flying mic|first=Ethan|last=Sacks|website=[[New York Daily News]] |date=March 14, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/80203/axl-rose-being-sued-by-guns-n-roses-fan-for-knocking-his-teeth-out|title=Axl Rose being sued by Guns N' Roses fan for knocking his teeth out|date=March 6, 2013|website=GIGWISE.com}}</ref> In 2022, another individual filed suit over injuries from a mic stand thrown during a 2021 concert in Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2023/08/08/axl-rose-guns-n-roses-hire-marshall-dennehey-to-defend-against-suit-over-recklessly-thrown-microphone/|title=Axl Rose, Guns N' Roses Hire Marshall Dennehey to Defend Against Suit Over 'Recklessly' Thrown Microphone|website=Law.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unionprogress.com/2023/06/23/in-pittsburgh-case-pa-woman-sues-singer-axl-rose-over-concert-microphone-toss/|title=In Pittsburgh case, Pa. woman sues singer Axl Rose over concert microphone toss|first=Torsten|last=Ove|date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> Following a third incident that year, Rose announced he would stop throwing objects into the crowd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/12/04/guns-n-roses-axl-rose-ends-mic-tradition-fan-injury/10833186002/|title=Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses will stop throwing mic into crowd after fan was allegedly injured|first=Anthony|last=Robledo|website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/axl-rose-says-hell-stop-tossing-mic-into-crowd-after-woman-claims-injury-at-guns-n-roses-show-3359957|title=Axl Rose says he'll stop tossing mic into crowd after woman claims injury at Guns N' Roses show|first=Ellie|last=Robinson|website=[[NME]] |date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>

In 2014, Rose threatened legal action over the release of recordings from Rapidfire, his pre-Hollywood Rose band, temporarily blocking their availability on digital platforms.<ref>{{cite web |title=SWEET LAWSUIT O' MINE? Axl Rose's legal team put kibosh on Rapidfire digital music release |author= |work=Metal Sludge |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://metalsludge.tv/axl-rose-rapid-fire-who-wants-to-go-to-the-rainbow/ |quote=}}</ref>

In 2016, Rose issued [[DMCA takedown]] requests to Google in an attempt to suppress a widely circulated image taken in 2010 published under the headline "OMFG Axl Rose is Fat.", which led to a [[Streisand effect]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Axl Rose wants an unflattering 'fat' picture removed from the Internet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/06/07/axl-rose-wants-an-unflattering-fat-picture-removed-from-the-internet/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelsohn |first=Tom |date=June 7, 2016 |title=Axl Rose tests the Streisand Effect by demanding Google removes fat photos |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/axl-rose-fat-axl-dmca-request-analysis/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>

Later that year, former Guns N' Roses keyboardist [[Chris Pitman]] sued Rose for $125,000 in unpaid wages.<ref>[http://www.tmz.com/2016/09/13/axl-rose-lawsuit-guns-n-roses-engineer-unpaid-wages/ Axl Rose Sued], TMZ.com</ref> The case was settled in November 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/axl-rose-settles-lawsuit-guns-n-roses-instrumentalist-chris-pitman/|title=Axl Rose Settles Lawsuit With Chris Pitman|website=Loudwire|date=November 27, 2016 }}</ref>

In 2022, Rose filed a trademark lawsuit against a weapons dealer operating under the name "Texas Guns and Roses," citing reputational harm.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/guns-n-roses-sues-texas-guns-and-roses-weapons-dealer-1234641609/|title=Guns N' Roses Sue Weapons Dealer for 'Particularly Damaging' Name Association|first=Larisha|last=Paul|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/guns-n-roses-sues-texas-firearms-and-flower-shop/|title=Guns N' Roses Welcomes Texas Firearms and Flower Shop to the Jungle With a Lawsuit|first=Dan|last=Solomon|work=Texas Monthly |date=December 6, 2022}}</ref>

==Discography==

===With Guns N' Roses===
{{main|Guns N' Roses discography}}
*''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' (1987)
*''[[G N' R Lies]]'' (1988)
*''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' (1991)
*''[[Use Your Illusion II]]'' (1991)
*''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'' (1993)
*''[[Chinese Democracy]]'' (2008)

===With Hollywood Rose===
*''[[The Roots of Guns N' Roses]]'' (2004)<ref name="ROOTS">{{cite news |title=Rose can't stop 'Hollywood Rose' |agency=Associated Press |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 10, 2004 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-10-et-quick10.5-story.html |quote=}}</ref>

===With Rapidfire===
*''Ready to Rumble'' EP (2014)<ref>{{cite web |title=Audio Sample Of AXL ROSE's Pre-GUNS N' ROSES Recordings With RAPIDFIRE Posted On YouTube |author= |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |date=May 28, 2013 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/audio-sample-of-axl-rose-s-pre-guns-n-roses-recordings-with-rapidfire-posted-on-youtube/ |language= |quote=}}</ref>

===As featured artist===
{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center;
|-
! rowspan="1"| Year
! rowspan="1"| Title
! rowspan="1"| Album
|-
|1988 
|"[[Under My Wheels]]"<br /><small>([[Alice Cooper]] feat. Axl Rose, [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and [[Izzy Stradlin]])<ref name="guest">{{cite news |title=Axl Rose's top 10 best guest appearances |author=Paul Brannigan |work=loudersound |date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.loudersound.com/features/axl-rose-top-10-best-guest-appearances |quote=}}</ref></small>
| rowspan="1" |''[[The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years#Soundtrack|The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''
|-
| 1994
| "[[Dead Flowers (The Rolling Stones song)|Dead Flowers]]"<br /><small>([[Gilby Clarke]] feat. Axl Rose)</small>
|''[[Pawnshop Guitars]]''
|-
| 2007
| "[[Back in the Saddle]]"<br />"(Love Is) a Bitchslap"<br />"Stuck Inside"<br /><small>([[Sebastian Bach]] feat. Axl Rose)</small>
|''[[Angel Down]]''<ref name="guest"/>
|-
| 2024
| "Love to Love"<br /><small>([[Michael Schenker]])</small>
| ''My Years with UFO''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2024/09/axl-rose-michael-schenker-ufo-love-to-love/|title=Axl Rose Guests on Michael Schenker's New Version of UFO's "Love to Love"|publisher=Consequence|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 23, 2024}}</ref>
|}

===As session musician or writer===
*''[[The End of the Innocence (album)|The End of the Innocence]]'' by [[Don Henley]] (1989; "I Will Not Go Quietly")<ref name="guest"/>
*''[[Fire and Gasoline]]'' by [[Steve Jones (musician)|Steve Jones]] (1989; "I Did U No Wrong")<ref name="guest"/>
* ''[[Pigs (Asphalt Ballet album)|Pigs]]'' by [[Asphalt Ballet]] (1993; "Crash Diet")
*''Anxious Disease'' by [[The Outpatience]] (1996; "Anxious Disease" feat. Slash)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Outpatience's song "Anxious Disease" feat. Axl Rose and Slash resurfaces for streaming |work=Sleaze Roxx |date=July 12, 2017 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://sleazeroxx.com/the-outpatiences-song-anxious-disease-feat-axl-rose-and-slash-resurfaces-for-streaming/ }}</ref>

==Other work==
*''[[New Looney Tunes]]'' (2018, "Rock the Rock")<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/watch-axl-rose-debuts-new-single-rock-the-rock-with-clip-from-upcoming-135853|title=Watch: Axl Rose debuts new single, 'Rock the Rock', with clip from upcoming 'Looney Tunes' series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105120605/https://www.axs.com/watch-axl-rose-debuts-new-single-rock-the-rock-with-clip-from-upcoming-135853|archive-date=January 5, 2019|website=AXS}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1988
| ''[[The Dead Pool]]''
| Musician at funeral
| Uncredited<ref>{{cite web |title=When Guns N' Roses Met 'Dirty Harry' |author=Corey Irwin |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=December 10, 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-dead-pool/ |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''
| ''K-DST'' DJ Tommy "The Nightmare" Smith (voice)
| Video game<ref name="Joe DAngelo-2004">{{cite web |title=Axl Rose, Game, Charlie Murphy Lend Voices To 'San Andreas' |author=Joe DAngelo |work=MTV News |date=September 26, 2004 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/1493045/axl-rose-game-charlie-murphy-lend-voices-to-san-andreas/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170930175730/http://www.mtv.com/news/1493045/axl-rose-game-charlie-murphy-lend-voices-to-san-andreas/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= September 30, 2017 |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| ''[[That Metal Show]]''
| rowspan="2" | Himself
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Axl Rose Interviewed on 'That Metal Show' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-interviewed-on-that-metal-show-117260/ |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Axl Rose agrees to rare interview on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' |author=Andy Greene |work=NBC News |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/axl-rose-agrees-rare-interview-jimmy-kimmel-live-flna6214891 |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| ''[[New Looney Tunes]]''
| rowspan="2" | Himself (voice)
| TV show<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gnrcentral.com/2018/12/29/warner-brothers-releases-statement-on-axl-roses-appearance-on-looney-tunes/|title=Warner Brothers Releases Statement on Axl Rose's Appearance on Looney Tunes -|date=December 29, 2018|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231143826/https://gnrcentral.com/2018/12/29/warner-brothers-releases-statement-on-axl-roses-appearance-on-looney-tunes/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''
| TV show<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Watch Axl Rose's Cameo Appearance on 'Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?' |last=Shaffer |first=Claire |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=September 27, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-scooby-doo-and-guess-who-1131907/ |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition]]''
| ''K-DST'' DJ Tommy "The Nightmare" Smith (voice)
| Video game<br>Archival recordings<br>Remaster of ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' only <ref name="Joe DAngelo-2004"/>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Axl Rose}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{Twitter}}
*{{allMusic}}
*{{IMDb name|741730|Axl Rose}}
*{{Official website|https://www.axlrose.com}}

{{Guns N' Roses}}
{{Hollywood Rose}}
{{L.A. Guns}}
{{2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rose, Axl}}
[[Category:Axl Rose| ]]
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[[Category:American rock songwriters]]
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[[Category:Guns N' Roses members]]
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