Today marks the 36th anniversary of Guns N' Roses' debut studio record "Appetite for Destruction" since it's release the album became the seventh best selling album of all time in the United States going 18 times Platinum(18 million sold in the States alone) with 12 million units sold in the rest of the world making it a combined 30 million records sold.
The Backstory behind "Appetite" began shortly after Guns N' Roses formed their first recordings were planned for an EP in March of 1985. The songs they had set for that E.P. were "Don't Cry" a cover of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" "Think bout You" and "Anything Goes" but plans went awry when Tracii Guns left and would be replaced by Slash. The classic GN'R line up was finalized,comprised of Singer Axl Rose,Bassist Duff McKagan,Drummer Steven Adler,Rhythm Guitarist Izzy Stradlin and Lead Guitarist Slash. After some heavy touring all over the Los Angeles club scene the group signed with Geffen Records in March of 1986 in December they released a four song E.P. called "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide" and that was designed to keep the band's interest alive while the group withdrew from the club scene so that they can work in the studio,the release of "Like A Suicide" was also there to soothe the label which believed the band did not have enough material for a full length studio album. Axl Rose stated many of the songs like Don't Cry,You Could Be Mine,November Rain and Back Off Bitch were considered for "Appetite" but they would later be found on the next Guns N' Roses albums "Use Your Illusion I and II" respectively. The reason why "November Raim" wasn't considered on "Appetite" was that the band already had a ballad on there called "Sweet Child O' Mine". Spencer Proffer was hired to record Nighttrain and Sweet Child to test his chemistry,they recorded nine songs with Proffer during the sessions including "Heartbreak Hotel","Don't Cry","Welcome to the Jungle" and "Shadow of Your Love" in the latter half of 1986 demons were recorded with Nazareth Guitarist Manny Charlton. But the band initially considered haveing Kiss' Paul Stanley produce the album,but was soon rejected when he wanted to change Adler's drum set to the way Paul wanted. Robert John "Mutt" Lange (know for producing records for AC/DC and Def Leppard) was also considered,but Geffen refused to spend the extra cash on him. So they went with Mike Clink Mike Clink was known for producing many Triumph albums throughout the years. "Appetite for Destruction" was done between January and June of 1987 in a number of studios like Daryl Dragon's Rumbo Studios in Canoga Park,Take One Studios in Burbank and The Record Plant in Los Angeles.
The album's original cover art was controversial. Robert Williams did a painting that he called "Appetite for Destruction" Depicting a Robot Rapist about to be punished by a metal avenger. Music retailer refused to use that as the album cover so they went with a different one a Celtic Cross and skulls representing all five band members with Izzy at the top,Axl in the center,Slash at the bottom,Steven on the left and Duff on the right. Billy White Jr a tattoo artist designed a tattoo with the cross and skulls which the album and artwork explained that it was Axl's idea.
Anyway after "Appetite for Destruction" was released on July 21,1987 there was little mainstream attention. Radio Stations refuse to play their single "Welcome to the Jungle" MTV refused to air the video of "Welcome to the Jungle" However after much lobbying for months Geffen General Manager Al Coury convinced MTV to play the video once a night for the next three nights. Next thing you know "Welcome to the Jungle" became the most requested song on MTV and on radio stations after Al Coury pitched that success to radio stations sending copies of Welcome to the Jungle,Sweet Child O' Mine and Paradise City. With music video and radio airplay and with a massive tour in support of "Appetite" on August 6,1988 (over a year after it's release) "Appetite for Destruction" went to #1 on the Billboard 200 album charts as far as where the singles "Welcome to the Jungle" it made it to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100,Sweet Child O' Mine" went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Paradise City" made it to #5.
So what are my favorite tracks from "Appetite for Destruction" the three top 10 hits just mentioned along with "My Michelle" and the fan favorite at every GN'R show "Mr.Brownstone" I ranked this album #5 on my favorite albums of 1987 even though I didn't start listening to them until 1989 mainly because Aerosmith had returned to form with "Permanent Vacation" Def Leppard was on the comeback trail with "Hysteria" and Whitesnake's 1987 record was getting alot of attention as well.
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