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A Guide To Guns N' Roses' Los Angeles
Whatever your thoughts are on the '80s metal scene on the Sunset Strip, there's something to be said about that era as being the last days of rock stardom. We had not yet dipped into the bottomless pool of irony that would come with the '90s. Your bandmates could step out with monikers like "Duff" and "Izzy," and you didn't have to be Karl Lagerfield to wear fingerless, leather gloves. Back then, it was OK to believe that mere mortals could aspire to such pomp—we could be gods.
It's Guns N' Roses who serve as the last ambassadors of that era (they headlined Coachella in 2016). To be sure, their legend is backed by a devil-may-care attitude, fabled onstage meltdowns, and illicit partying. But what's kept them relevant is a frontman who took perfectionism to heights that rivaled Howard Hughes', a guitarist who could sling with the best of them, and their relentlessly iconic songs.
This goes without saying that the band always seemed at-home in Los Angeles (when others tried so desperately to project that same attitude of nonchalance). Even in skin-tight pants and aviator glasses they exuded a mix of grit and hard-won wisdom that was purely L.A. Here, we take a look at some of the places (past and present) that helped turn Axl Rose and company into a powerhouse of compact riffs and anthemic choruses. Welcome to the jungle, baby.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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