As a young boy, he was raised to believe women were “evil,” taught that violence at home was normal, and lived through trauma most kids could never imagine But this kid from the Midwest pushed past the strict, closed-in “corn belt” rules he’d been raised under – and became one of the top-selling artists in music history.

Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, dropped in July of that year. At first, it was a slow burn — selling around 500,000 copies in its first year — but relentless touring, grassroots buzz around the “Welcome to the Jungle” video, and the massive hit single “Sweet Child o’ Mine” catapulted the record to No. 1.

Axl Rose in (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Today, Appetite for Destruction has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, including 18 million in the U.S., making it the best-selling debut album in U.S. history.

Axl’s voice, his presence, and his rebellious persona made him a figure unlike any other in rock history.

But fame didn’t come without chaos. The late ’80s and ’90s were a whirlwind of touring, internal band conflicts, and headline-grabbing controversies. Axl’s perfectionism and volatile temper earned him a reputation for being unpredictable— but also cemented his status as a rock icon who refused to compromise his art.

Through the ups and downs, including lineup changes, public feuds, lawsuits, sexual assault claims and long periods of silence, Axl never stopped evolving.

Private life
He is widely recognized as one of the greatest rock singers of all time, praised by outlets like Rolling Stone and New Musical Express. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N’ Roses — but in true Axl fashion, he declined to attend the ceremony and requested to be excluded from the museum’s displays.

Over the years, the rock icon has remained fiercely protective of his music and his legacy, eventually leading Guns N’ Roses back to stadium tours with classic albums performed in full. While he admits that years of touring have taken a toll on his legendary voice, he continues to deliver powerful shows.

Axl Rose has mostly kept his personal life private, but his relationships in the late ’80s and early ’90s were turbulent. In 1989, he said he didn’t want children because his career wouldn’t allow him time for them: “I don’t want kids because I can’t give them enough time, but if I had a son, I’d like the boy to share everything with me.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 20: Axl Rose of Guns n Roses performs on stage on The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium on April 20th, 1992 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)
At the time, he was dating Erin Everly, whom he met in 1986. She was his first serious relationship and dreamed of a family. The couple married, but their relationship was rocky. Everly supported them financially at first, working as a model while Rose struggled as a musician. He penned “Sweet Child o’ Mine” for her, and she even starred in the song’s music video.