35 Years Ago Today

It was 35 years ago today that one of the most important rock albums of all time was released. July 21, 1987 saw Guns n' Roses unleash Appetite for Destruction on the world. Since that day, the album has remained a rock favorite and perennial big seller. From vinyl, to cassette, to CD, to digital downloads - most of us have owned several copies of Appetite over the years. Axl Rose sashaying all over the stage in the "Welcome to the Jungle" video was a moment for both the band and MTV. "Sweet Child 'O Mine" cemented the band's fame and "Paradise City" made them instant sports-stadium classics.

In some ways it feels like Guns n' Roses debut was released yesterday. The songs from Appetite have bene played into the ground around the world and yet they still feel fresh and timeless. That's because the album was one of those "lightning in a bottle" moments that happen once in a lifetime. I was so young when the album was first released that I didn't get to grasp the full importance of the band or the work. By the time the Use Your Illusion albums hit stores, I got it quite well. I was a full-on MTV addict by that point and everyone understood how important GnR was to MTV. These memories never get old.

35 years ago today, Guns N' Roses released their legendary debut, “Appetite For Destruction.” Click below to read the full story behind each track, in the words of Axl, Slash, Izzy, and Duff.https://t.co/URLuBJEW6z

— uDiscover Music (@uDiscoverMusic) July 21, 2022

Appetite For Destruction is 35 🔥 What's your favorite track off the album?https://t.co/8EgO4BsDoN pic.twitter.com/IIdrXUoFSY

— Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) July 21, 2022

Comments

[Kixchix]

Lightning in a bottle indeed. Also AFD is a time capsule. This was the summer of my senior year. Whew.These throwbacks are cool for me.

Then came infamous show at The Ritz which was aired on MTV. Still have that on videotape. That show is a marker for a young band that was just picking up steam. And boy did they take off. Proud to have been an early adopter of gnr. Got AFD in August of ‘87. Lies was a good EP. Everything after is over produced average stuff IMO. And that’s ok

[crued]

i know i know but enjoy @kixchix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg

[EddieLongHair]

Definitely one of the best albums EVER! Not a clunker on either side of the vinyl (which is how I first purchased it in 1987). And it also holds special meaning in my heart. Just 5 days before the album was released is when my (now) wife and I went on our first date. Several years later, when we were married, the opening guitar riff from Sweet Child is how we were introduced to friends and family as we entered our wedding reception. A Jersey wedding reception, mind you, which is quite an event to behold! Cheers to AFD and my wife of almost 30 years!