The classic rock singer out of everybody’s league, according to Axl Rose
In the mid-1980s, Axl Rose formed the hard rock group Guns N’ Roses alongside lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Their aim was simple: become the most daring band in the world.
After signing to Geffen Records in 1986, the ragged group recorded their landmark debut album, Appetite for Destruction. The title was apt. Their route to the release had been a raucous one, highlighting their punk beginnings.
As a group of hedonistic youths, only a failsafe dedication to rock ‘n’ roll could keep the GNR ship sailing. Fortunately, as the reception of Appetite for Destruction attested, this five-piece had a knack for compelling composition and competent showmanship. That’s because, beyond their love for kicking up a fuss, one of their favourite bands prided themselves on a level of professionalism and honed musicianship.
Controversial and erratic as he might be, Axl Rose goes down in history as one of rock and roll’s most iconic frontmen. His distinctive snarling projection and infectious energy drew fans to the cult of Roses in the millions over the late 1980s and 1990s and remains a solid presence on the musical map to this day. With the highest recorded vocal range on classic rock record, he certainly has the chops to back-up the cockiness.
Undoubtedly, Led Zeppelin’s hard rock and the tyles of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page had a profound and apparent influence on Rose and Slash, respectively. However, one British band just about beats Led Zeppelin to the mark in Rose’s eyes. Particularly when it comes to their first-pumping leader.
In 2018, Rose discussed his long-lived love for Queen, especially praising their late frontman, Freddie Mercury. “For me, it’s easy – Queen is the greatest band, and Freddie is the greatest frontman of all time,” he told Atlas Magazine. “The band are the greatest because they embraced so many different styles.”
This was something he looked to incorporate, too. While the band he fronted might have rose from the West Coast incarnation of punk, in part, stirred up by the Clash’s iconic run of shows in the region, the GNR gang didn’t want to neatly fit into any one scene. The radical individualism came from Queen’s carefree spirit.
As the uncharacteristically unguarded frontman explained, “If I hadn’t had Freddie Mercury’s lyrics to hold on to as a kid, I don’t know where I would be. It taught me about all forms of music… it would open my mind,” he continued. “I never really had a bigger teacher in my whole life.”
This was by no means the first time Rose had mentioned the British four-piece. Speaking to Rolling Stone in 1989, Rose revealed Queen’s second album, Queen II, as one of his favourite albums to bring on tour. “I’ve still got my favourites and things, like the Pistols, ELO and Queen,” Rose explained.
Adding, “The two records I always buy if there’s a cassette deck around and I don’t have the tapes in my bag are Never Mind the Bollocks and Queen II.” That mix is pretty close to nailing the bite and grandeur of his band. He might have had a bit more of John Lydon’s snarling anger than Mercury, but the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ singer’s ability to leave it all on the line is readily apparent in what Rose offers.
Mercury’s ability to go from one extreme to another remains unmatched, not for Rose’s lack of trying. As he put it himself, “I sing in five or six different voices that are all part of me. It’s not contrived.” All those voices are undercut with an air of adoration for the late Queen frontman who came before him.
