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List of Guns N' Roses members

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Three lineups of Guns N' Roses in 2006 (top), 2012 (middle) and 2017 (bottom)

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1985, the group originally consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Tracii Guns, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Ole Beich and drummer Rob Gardner. The band has been through many lineup changes and currently includes Rose (a constant member), bassist Duff McKagan (from 1985 to 1997, and since 2016), lead guitarist Slash (from 1985 to 1996, and since 2016), keyboardist Dizzy Reed (since 1990), rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus (since 2002), drummer Frank Ferrer (since 2006) and keyboardist Melissa Reese (since 2016).

History

[edit]

1985–1997

[edit]

Guns N' Roses was formed in March 1985 by vocalist Axl Rose and rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin of Hollywood Rose, with lead guitarist Tracii Guns, bassist Ole Beich and drummer Rob Gardner of L.A. Guns.[1] Before the group's first show on March 26, 1985,[2] Beich was fired and replaced by Duff "Rose" McKagan.[3] Shortly thereafter, Guns and Gardner were replaced by Slash and Steven Adler, respectively, both of whom had previously played with McKagan in Road Crew.[4] The group released Appetite for Destruction in 1987, which as of 2017 had reportedly sold more than 30 million copies.[5] During the resulting concert tour, Adler broke his hand in a fight and was replaced for a run of shows by Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.[6] McKagan also missed a show in May 1988 when he got married, with The Cult's Kid "Haggis" Chaos substituting for the bassist.[7]

G N' R Lies was released in 1988, selling almost 10 million copies worldwide as of 2018.[8] Eagles drummer Don Henley performed with the group at the 1989 American Music Awards, after Adler was admitted to rehab for increasing drug problems.[9] By the following July, the drummer had been fired from the band for his continued problems with substance abuse, with The Cult's Matt Sorum taking his place.[10] Adler's last recording with Guns N' Roses was the Use Your Illusion II single "Civil War",[11] which also featured newly-added sixth member Dizzy Reed on piano.[12] The band's new lineup recorded Use Your Illusion I and II and embarked on the Use Your Illusion Tour in May 1991, a few months before their release.[13] On November 7, however, Stradlin abruptly left Guns N' Roses due to the "air of chaos" which surrounded the band.[14] He was replaced by Gilby Clarke, who debuted alongside fellow additions in touring keyboardist Teddy Andreadis, three backing vocalists and a three-piece horn section.[15]

After the conclusion of the two-year long tour, Guns N' Roses released "The Spaghetti Incident?" in 1993, an album of cover versions.[16] Work began the next year on a new studio album; however by October, Clarke had been replaced by Rose's childhood friend Paul "Huge" Tobias in time for the recording of their cover of "Sympathy for the Devil".[17] Clarke was reportedly fired by Rose without the consent of the other band members, and Slash objected to the addition of Tobias, which led him to focus on his new side project Slash's Snakepit.[18] Eventually, various differences led to the guitarist's departure in October 1996.[19] He was soon followed by Sorum, who was fired in April 1997,[20] after an argument with Rose regarding the hiring of Tobias.[21] In August, McKagan became the final member of the Appetite for Destruction lineup to leave,[22] explaining in his autobiography that the band was "so erratic that it didn't seem to fit with my hopes for parenthood, for stability".[23]

1997–2015

[edit]

Rose retained use of the Guns N' Roses name and began rebuilding the band in 1997. His first addition was former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck, who joined to replace Slash in August on a two-year contract.[24] He was followed early the next year by Sorum's replacement Josh Freese, who also signed a contract for two years,[25] and McKagan's replacement Tommy Stinson.[26] Later in the year, Chris Pitman joined on synthesizers & keyboards.[27] The new lineup released "Oh My God" in 1999, which marked the first new Guns N' Roses material in five years. In August, however, Finck left the band to return to Nine Inch Nails upon the expiration of his contract with Rose.[28] He was replaced in March the following year by experimental guitarist Buckethead.[29] Freese left shortly after his arrival, with the guitarist recommending Brain as his replacement.[30] Finck later returned, and Guns N' Roses played its first live show in the US in seven years on December 31, 2000.[31]

After eight years with the group, Paul Tobias left Guns N' Roses in July 2002, with Richard Fortus taking his place.[32] Later in the year, the band embarked on the first leg of its extensive Chinese Democracy Tour, which was their first since 1993.[33] After more touring, Buckethead abruptly left in March 2004, causing the band to cancel its appearance at Rock in Rio.[34] The group continued work on new album Chinese Democracy, but didn't perform again until May 2006 when Buckethead's replacement Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal debuted.[35] In June, Frank Ferrer temporarily replaced Brain for a run of shows, when the regular drummer was forced to return home earlier than expected to be with his pregnant wife.[36] Brain ultimately chose not to return to the band, and Ferrer took over on a permanent basis.[37] Chinese Democracy was released in November 2008, 15 years after the previous studio album, and with an estimated budget of $13 million in production costs.[38]

In March 2009, Finck left Guns N' Roses for a second time to rejoin Nine Inch Nails, with Sixx:A.M.'s DJ Ashba taking his place.[39] The band continued touring in the years following the 2008 release of Chinese Democracy, including the 2012 Up Close and Personal Tour which saw the group downgrading its production for a run of shows in smaller venues. The Appetite for Democracy tour, which began with a 12-night residency in Las Vegas, spawned the group's first live release since 1999, Appetite for Democracy 3D, in 2014. Reports of a follow-up to Chinese Democracy were made by various members of the band during these years, too, including Ashba and Fortus in 2012,[40][41] and Rose and Reed in 2014.[42][43] However, in July 2015 it was announced that Ashba had left the group to focus on Sixx:A.M. and his family.[44] Around the same time, after much speculation, it was also confirmed that Thal had left after the conclusion of the 2014 tour.[45] Stinson also left shortly after the tour for personal reasons.[46]

2015 onwards

[edit]

Despite the recent departure of three long-term members, Ferrer confirmed in July 2015 that Guns N' Roses "still exists" and was "moving forward".[47] The following month, former lead guitarist Slash announced that he had become friends with Axl Rose again, after almost 20 years of not talking to his former bandmate.[48] Alongside the recent departures of both lead guitarists, this fuelled renewed rumors of a potential reunion of the 'classic' lineup of Guns N' Roses,[49] which continued as it was reported that the group was being touted for several European festivals in 2016.[50] The rumours ultimately proved to be true to some extent, as it was announced in January 2016 that both Slash and bassist Duff McKagan would be rejoining Guns N' Roses for a headline performance at Coachella Festival.[51] The reunion was later expanded into the Not in This Lifetime... Tour, which commenced in June. Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer and Dizzy Reed remained present, while Melissa Reese took the place of Chris Pitman.[52] The tour sustained for over two years without lineup changes, finally ending on November 2, 2019.

Members

[edit]

Current

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Guns n'Roses Palacio de los Deportes 30-11-2016 (31739548255).jpg
Axl Rose (W. Axl Rose) 1985–present[1][52]
  • lead vocals
  • piano
  • occasional rhythm guitar and percussion
all Guns N' Roses releases
Duff McKagan 2012 (cropped).JPG
Duff McKagan (Michael McKagan)
  • 1985–1997
  • 2016–present[A]
[3][22][51]
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • acoustic guitar
  • percussion
Slash 2009.jpg
Slash (Saul Hudson)
  • 1985–1996
  • 2016–present
[4][19][51]
  • lead and rhythm guitars
Dizzy reed (cropped).jpg
Dizzy Reed (Darren Reed) 1990–present[12][52]
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
all Guns N' Roses releases from "Civil War" (1990) onward
Richard Fortus (8056234364).jpg
Richard Fortus 2002–present[32][52]
  • rhythm and lead guitars
  • backing vocals
all Guns N' Roses releases from Chinese Democracy (2008) onward[B]
Guns n´Roses Palacio de los Deportes 30-11-2016 (31366316670) (cropped).jpg
Frank Ferrer 2006–present[36][37][52]
  • drums
  • percussion
Melissa Reese Composer Recording Artist.JPG
Melissa Reese 2016–present[52]
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • sub-bass
  • programming
  • backing vocals
all Guns N' Roses releases from "Absurd" (2021) onward.[54]

Former

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Izzy Stradlin 2012 (cropped).jpg
Izzy Stradlin (Jeff Isbell) 1985–1991[C][1][14]
  • rhythm and lead guitars
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • percussion
  • all Guns N' Roses releases from Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide (1986) to Use Your Illusion II (1991)
  • Live Era '87–'93 (1999)
Rob Gardner 1985[1][4]
  • drums
  • backing vocals
none[D]
Tracii20231.jpg
Tracii Guns (Tracy Ulrich) lead and rhythm guitars
Ole Beich 1985 (died 1991)[1][2] bass none
StevenAdlerGilbyClarke.jpg
Steven Adler (Michael Coletti) 1985–1990[E][4][10]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
  • all Guns N' Roses releases from Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide (1986) to Civil War (1990)
  • Live Era '87–'93 (1999)
Matt Sorum (6465384277) (cropped).jpg
Matt Sorum 1990–1997[10][20]
Gilby Clarke 2 2012 (cropped).jpg
Gilby Clarke 1991–1994[15][17]
  • rhythm and lead guitars
  • backing vocals
Paul "Huge" Tobias[F] 1994–2002[17][32]
  • rhythm and lead guitars
  • backing vocals
  • occasional piano
  • Sympathy for the Devil (1994)
  • "Oh My God" (1999)
  • Chinese Democracy (2008)
Robin 5 21 2009 Santa barbara (cropped).jpg
Robin Finck (Robert Finck)
  • 1997–1999
  • 2000–2008[G]
[24][28][31][39]
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • occasional keyboards
  • "Oh My God" (1999)
  • Chinese Democracy (2008)
The Offspring - 2022154192323 2022-06-03 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X MK II - 2336 - B70I6890.jpg
Josh Freese 1997–2000[25][30]
  • drums
  • percussion
  • "Oh My God" (1999)[H]
Tommy Stinson @ Frank's King William San Antonio, Texas (29932411860).jpg
Tommy Stinson 1998–2016[26][46]
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • "Oh My God" (1999)
  • Chinese Democracy (2008)
  • Appetite for Democracy 3D (2014)
Chris Pitman performing live 2015.jpg
Chris Pitman 1998–2016[27][52]
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
  • sub-bass
  • programming
  • backing vocals
  • percussion
  • occasional guitar[I]
Bucketheadgnr.jpg
Buckethead (Brian Carroll) 2000–2004[29][34] lead and rhythm guitars Chinese Democracy (2008)
Primus copenhagen 1998 (cropped).jpg
Brain (Bryan Mantia)[J] 2000–2006[K][30][36][37]
  • drums
  • percussion
Bumblefoot, Guns n´Roses Poliedro de Caracas 27 de Marzo 2010 (4474938956) (cropped).jpg
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Ronald Blumenthal) 2006–2014[35][45]
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • Chinese Democracy (2008)
  • Appetite for Democracy 3D (2014)
DJ Ashba 2010 (cropped).jpg
DJ Ashba (Daren Ashba) 2009–2015[39][44] lead and rhythm guitars Appetite for Democracy 3D (2014)

Touring

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Fred Coury - Cinderella (cropped).jpg
Fred Coury 1987–1988 drums Coury substituted for Steven Adler between late 1987 and early 1988 after the drummer injured his hand during a fight.[6]
Kid "Haggis" Chaos (Stephen Harris) 1988 bass Harris replaced Duff McKagan for a show on May 27, 1988 when the bassist took a leave of absence for his wedding.[7]
Don Henley 2000.jpg
Don Henley 1989
  • drums
  • backing vocals
Henley replaced Steven Adler for the 1989 American Music Awards after the drummer was admitted to a rehab clinic.[9]
Teddy Andreadis 1991–1993
  • keyboards
  • percussion
  • harmonica
  • backing vocals
Additional members of the Use Your Illusion Tour band from December 1991 to February 1993.[15]
Roberta Freeman
  • backing vocals
  • tambourine
Tracey Amos
Diane Jones
Cece Worrall saxophones
Lisa Maxwell
Anne King trumpet

Session musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Adriana Smith 1987 vocals Appetite for Destruction (1987) - "Rocket Queen"
West Arkeen (Aaron Arkeen)
  • 1988
  • 1990–1991
(died 1997)
Howard Teman
  • 1988
  • 1990-1991
  • percussion
  • piano
  • G N' R Lies (1988) – "Patience", "Used to Love Her", "You're Crazy" and "One in a Million"
  • Use Your Illusion II (1991) – "So Fine"
Rick Richards 1988 percussion G N' R Lies (1988) – "Patience", "Used to Love Her", "You're Crazy" and "One in a Million"
Ray Grden
Michael_Monroe_-_Ilosaarirock_2011_1.jpg
Michael Monroe (Matti Fagerholm)
  • 1990–1991
  • 1992–1993
  • Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "Bad Obsession"
  • "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "Ain't It Fun"
Stuart Bailey backing vocals
  • Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "November Rain"
  • "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "I Don't Care About You"
Shannon Hoon (Richard Hoon) 1990–1991 (died 1995) vocals
Johann Langlie 1990-1991
  • Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "Live And Let Die", "November Rain", "Garden Of Eden", "Coma"
  • Use Your Illusion II (1991) – "My World"
Alice_Cooper_-_Alice_Cooper_-_Novarock_-_2016-06-11-15-44-11-0002.jpg
Alice Cooper (Vincent Furnier) vocals Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "The Garden"
Jon Thautwein horns Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "Live and Let Die"
Matthew McKagan
Rachel West
Robert Clark
Tim Doyle tambourine Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "You Ain't the First"
Reba Shaw backing vocals Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "November Rain"
Mike Clink nutcracker Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "Dead Horse"
Bruce Foster programming Use Your Illusion I (1991) – "Coma"
Diane Mitchell spoken word vocals
Michelle Loiselle
Monica Zierhut-Soto
Patricia Fuenzalida
Rose Mann
Susanne Filkins
The Waters backing vocals Use Your Illusion II (1991) – "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
Mike Staggs 1992–1993 guitar "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "Ain't It Fun"
Mike Fasano percussion "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "Hair of the Dog"
Richard Duguay guitars "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory"
Eddie Huletz backing vocals
Blake Stanton "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "I Don't Care About You"
Eric Mills
Riki_Rachtman_Clash_2023.jpg
Riki Rachtman (David Rachtman)
Carlos Booy acoustic guitar "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993) – "Look at Your Game, Girl"
Sid Riggs (Sean Riggs) 1994–1999 drums none[L]
Wylde.cropped.png
Zakk Wylde (Jeffrey Wielandt) 1995 guitar none[M]
Krys Baratto 1996-1997[59] bass none[N]
Chrisvrennadrums.jpg
Chris Vrenna 1997 drums and programming none[O]
Brian May Portrait - David J Cable (cropped).jpg
Brian May 1999 lead guitar none[P]
Dave Navarro 2 at Patrick-Novello Party 20071011.jpg
Dave Navarro guitar "Oh My God" (1999)
Gary Sunshine
Stuart White programming
Eric Caudieux 2002-2007
Chinese Democracy (2008) – "If the World" and "This I Love"
Pete Scaturro keyboards Chinese Democracy (2008)
MARCOBELTRAMI.jpg
Marco Beltrami 2003 orchestra Chinese Democracy (2008) – "Street of Dreams", "There Was a Time", "Madagascar", "This I Love", and "Prostitute"
Paul Buckmaster 2004 (died 2017) Chinese Democracy (2008) – "Street of Dreams", "There Was a Time", "Madagascar", and "Prostitute"
Suzy Katayama 2004-2007 French horn Chinese Democracy (2008) – "Madagascar"
Patti Hood harp Chinese Democracy (2008) – "This I Love"
Caram Costanzo 2003-2007 sub drums
Sebastion Bach 2012.jpg
Sebastian Bach (Sebastian Bierk) 2007 vocals Chinese Democracy (2008) – "Sorry"

Timeline

[edit]

Lineups

[edit]
Period Members Releases
March 1985 none
March–May 1985
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals
  • Tracii Guns – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Rob Gardner – drums, backing vocals
May–June 1985
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Rob Gardner – drums, backing vocals
June 1985 – February 1990
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Steven Adler – drums, percussion
February–July 1990
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Steven Adler – drums, percussion
July 1990 – November 1991
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Use Your Illusion I (1991)
  • Use Your Illusion II (1991)
  • Live Era '87–'93 (1999) – three tracks
November 1991 – October 1994
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead, rhythm and slide guitar, backing vocals
  • Gilby Clarke – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals
October 1994 – October 1996
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals
October 1996 – April 1997
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Paul Tobias – guitars, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Matt Sorum – drums, percussion, backing vocals
none
April–August 1997
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Paul Tobias – guitars, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
August 1997
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
August 1997 – March 1998
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
March–May 1998
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums, percussion
May–October 1998
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums, percussion
October 1998 – August 1999
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums, percussion
August 1999 – March 2000
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Paul Tobias – guitars, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Freese – drums, percussion
  • Chinese Democracy (2008)
March–October 2000
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Buckethead – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Brain – drums, percussion
October 2000 – July 2002
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Buckethead – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Robin Finck – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Tobias – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Brain – drums, percussion
July 2002 – March 2004
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Buckethead – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Robin Finck – lead rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Brain – drums, percussion
March 2004 – May 2006
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Brain – drums, percussion
May–October 2006
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Brain – drums, percussion
October 2006 – March 2009
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Robin Finck – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Bumblefoot – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
March 2009 – June 2014
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Bumblefoot – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • DJ Ashba – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
June 2014 – July 2015
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • DJ Ashba – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
none
July – December 2015
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Richard Fortus – guitars, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
January–February 2016
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Chris Pitman – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion
March 2016 – present
  • Axl Rose – lead vocals, keyboards, piano
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar
  • Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
  • Melissa Reese – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff McKagan – bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Duff McKagan also performed with the band as a live guest at a show on October 14, 2010, and as a touring substitute for Tommy Stinson in 2014.[53]
  2. ^ Ferrer does not appear on any of the singles released since 2021, with former drummer Brain's performances being used.[54]
  3. ^ Izzy Stradlin also performed with the band as a touring substitute for Gilby Clarke in 1993, and as a live guest at several shows in 2006 and 2012.[53]
  4. ^ Guns and Gardner (alongside Rose, McKagan and Stradlin) recorded a demo EP with Guns N' Roses in March 1985, but it was not released.[55]
  5. ^ Adler appeared as a live guest during the band's Not in This Lifetime... Tour, on July 6, July 9, and August 19 2016.[56]
  6. ^ Credited as either Paul Huge or Paul Tobias.
  7. ^ Finck appeared as a live guest on the March 12, 2012 show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles[57]
  8. ^ Josh Freese's drum recordings were not included on Chinese Democracy, being re-recorded by Brain after Freese left the band, but Freese was credited for arrangements on four tracks.[58]
  9. ^ Pitman filled in on bass guitar in a 2007 show that Tommy Stinson was unable to attend.
  10. ^ Often miscredited as Brian Mantia
  11. ^ Brain appeared as a live guest on the March 12, 2012 show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles[57]
  12. ^ Riggs worked as a studio drummer sporadically for Guns N' Roses while working on the follow-up to "The Spaghetti Incident?". Riggs contributed to the songwriting of "Oh My God"
  13. ^ Wylde performed with the band in studio for several weeks auditioning for a guitar spot, but he ultimately was not brought in
  14. ^ Baratto performed with the band in the studio while McKagan was away working on Neurotic Outsiders
  15. ^ Vrenna performed with the band for several months as drummer in 1997 during the sessions for what would become Chinese Democracy; however, none of his contributions or writing are featured on the album.
  16. ^ May recorded lead guitar for several songs during the Chinese Democracy sessions, including "Catcher in the Rye" in 1999, but his contributions were removed from the final album.[60]
  17. ^ a b c d e These recordings developed from tracks originated during the Chinese Democracy sessions and include musicians who were no longer members of Guns and Roses at time of release, former drummer Brain performs drums on each track instead of Ferrer, and former keyboardist Chris Pitman performs on "The General"

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Buchanan, Brett (May 10, 2016). "Original Guns N' Roses Member Reaches Out To Axl Rose". Alternative Nation. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Dome, Malcolm (November 26, 2014). "Ten Things You Didn't Know About Guns N' Roses". Louder. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Kielty, Martin (March 12, 2018). "Listen to Guns N' Roses' First-Ever Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Kielty, Martin (December 10, 2018). "Guns N' Roses Manager Teases Fans With Photo Captioned 'The End?'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
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