Editing Axl Rose (section)

== Career ==
=== 1983–1986: early years ===
Shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, Rose met guitarist Kevin Lawrence outside [[The Troubadour (Los Angeles)|The Troubadour]] in West Hollywood in March 1983 and joined his band Rapidfire. They recorded a five-song demo in May 1983 at Telstar Studios in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Axl Rose: Pre-GN'R Record to be Released|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=February 3, 2006|access-date=June 3, 2011|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/axl_rose_pre-gnr_record_to_be_released.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008113201/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/axl_rose_pre-gnr_record_to_be_released.html|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> which, after years of legal action, was released as an EP, ''Ready to Rumble'', in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/rapidfire-guitarist-fights-release-songs-axl-rose-era/|title=Rapidfire Guitarist Wants to Release Songs From Axl Rose Era|work=Loudwire|date=February 25, 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129133458/http://loudwire.com/rapidfire-guitarist-fights-release-songs-axl-rose-era/|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosc_dnia/news/wiadomosc,536468|title=Rapidfire: Wczesne lata Axla|publisher=Interia.pl|date=August 26, 2004|language=pl|access-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721020055/http://muzyka.interia.pl/wiadomosc_dnia/news/wiadomosc%2C536468|archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Christ|first=Shawn|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/16074/20141117/early-axl-rose-ep-first-band-rapidfire-available-download-features-guns-roses-frontman-1983-listen.htm|title=Early Axl Rose EP with First Band Rapidfire Available for Download, Features Guns N' Roses Frontman in 1983|magazine=Music Times|date=November 17, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802040843/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/16074/20141117/early-axl-rose-ep-first-band-rapidfire-available-download-features-guns-roses-frontman-1983-listen.htm|archive-date=August 2, 2015}}</ref> After parting ways with Lawrence, he formed the band [[Hollywood Rose]] with his childhood friend Izzy Stradlin,<ref>{{cite news|last=Spurrier|first=Jeff|title=Guns N' Roses: Bad Boys Give It Their Best Shot|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 6, 1986}}</ref> who had moved to Los Angeles in 1980,<ref name="Geffen98"/> and 16-year-old guitarist [[Chris Weber]].<ref name="AllMusic L.A. Guns biography">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=L.A. Guns Biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 22, 2024 |url={{AllMusic|artist|la-guns-mn0000778906#biography |pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> In January 1984, the band recorded a five-song demo featuring the tracks "Anything Goes", "Rocker", "Shadow of Your Love", and "Reckless Life", which was released in 2004 as ''[[The Roots of Guns N' Roses]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=The Roots of Guns N' Roses Review |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=September 22, 2024 |url={{AllMusic|album|the-roots-of-guns-n-roses-mw0000744084#review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> Guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] and drummer [[Steven Adler]], future members of [[Guns N' Roses]], joined Hollywood Rose before the band's dissolution.<ref name="Slash 84">{{Cite book|author=Slash | author2-link = Anthony Bozza|last2=Bozza|first2=Anthony|title=[[Slash (autobiography)|Slash]]|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2007|page=84|isbn=978-0-00-725775-1}}</ref> Rose then joined [[L.A. Guns]].<ref name="AllMusic L.A. Guns biography"/> While struggling to make an impact on the Hollywood music scene, Rose held down a variety of jobs, including the position of night manager at the [[Tower Records#Inception, expansion, and description|Tower Records/Video]] location on [[Sunset Boulevard]]. Rose and Stradlin also smoked cigarettes for a scientific study at [[UCLA]] for the reported wages of $8 per hour ({{Inflation|US|8|1984|r=0|fmt=eq}}).<ref name="Sugerman91"/>

In March 1985, encouraged by their manager Raz Cue,<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Days-Guns-Razs-Raz-Cue/dp/0982710313/ The Days of Guns, & Raz's Paperback – July 21, 2017 by Raz Cue (Author)] Amazon.com</ref> Rose and his former L.A. Guns bandmate [[Tracii Guns]] formed Guns N' Roses by merging their respective bands Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns with Stradlin, drummer [[Rob Gardner (musician)|Rob Gardner]] and bassist [[Ole Beich]].<ref name="Spitz99">{{cite magazine|last=Spitz|first=Marc|title=Just a Little Patience|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=July 1999|access-date=June 3, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=71|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711163900/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=71|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> By June, after several lineup changes, the band consisted of Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist [[Duff McKagan]], and drummer Steven Adler. The lineup debuted at The Troubadour and proceeded to play the L.A. club circuit, eventually building a devoted fan following.<ref name="Spitz99"/> The band attracted the attention of several major record labels,<ref name="Spitz99"/> before signing with Geffen Records in March 1986.<ref name="James89"/> The following December, they released the four-song EP ''[[Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide]]'' on the Geffen imprint [[UZI Suicide]].<ref name="RollingStoneBio"/>

=== 1987–1989: breakthrough with ''Appetite for Destruction'' ===
[[file:DiDia with Axl Rose.png|left|thumb|Rose alongside producer [[Nick DiDia]].]] 
In July 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]''. Although the record received critical acclaim, it experienced a modest commercial start, selling as many as 500,000 copies in its first year of release.<ref name="Wiggins03">{{cite web|last=Wiggins|first=Keavin|title=Antitorial - Appetite for Destruction|publisher=Antimusic.com|url=http://www.antimusic.com/ksw/03/dec.shtml|date=December 2003|access-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610182300/http://www.antimusic.com/ksw/03/dec.shtml|archive-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> However, fueled by the band's relentless touring and the mainstream success of the single "[[Sweet Child o' Mine]]"—Rose's tribute to his then-girlfriend Erin Everly—the album rose to the No.{{nbsp}}1 position. To date, ''Appetite for Destruction'' has sold over 30 million copies worldwide,<ref name=Smith/><ref name=Havelock/> 18&nbsp;million of which sold in the United States, making it the best-selling debut album of all time in the U.S.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|title=Top 100 Albums|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604050421/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the band's performance at the [[Monsters of Rock]] festival in [[Castle Donington]], England, in August 1988, two fans were crushed to death when many in the crowd of 107,000 began slam-dancing to "[[It's So Easy (Guns N' Roses song)|It's So Easy]]". Rose had halted the show several times to calm the audience.<ref name="Tannenbaum88"/> From then on, he became known for personally addressing disruptive fans and giving instructions to security personnel from the stage, at times stopping concerts to deal with issues in the crowd. In 1992, Rose stated, "Most performers would go to a security person in their organization, and it would just be done very quietly. I'll confront the person, stop the song: 'Guess what: You wasted your money, you get to leave.'"<ref name="Neely92"/> As a result of the deaths at Monsters of Rock, the festival was canceled the following year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anthony|first=James|title=Tour Commandments: Pants projectiles are no excuse for cancelling shows|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 22, 2007|access-date=June 6, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/mar/22/thetourcommandmentsunderpan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224224719/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2007/mar/22/thetourcommandmentsunderpan|archive-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref>

In November 1988, Guns N' Roses released the stopgap album ''[[G N' R Lies]]'', which sold more than five million copies in the U.S. alone.<ref name="RIAA" /> The band – and Rose in particular – were accused of promoting racist and homophobic attitudes with the song "[[One in a Million (Guns N' Roses song)|One in a Million]]",<ref name="Goldstein89">{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Patrick|title=Behind the Guns N' Roses Racism Furor|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 15, 1989}}</ref> in which Rose warns "[[nigger]]s" to "get out of my way" and complains about "[[faggot (slang)|faggots]]" who "spread some fucking disease". During the controversy, Rose defended his use of the racial slur by claiming, "it's a word to describe somebody that is basically a pain in your life, a problem. The word nigger doesn't necessarily mean black."<ref name="James89"/> In 1992, however, he conceded that the song reflected his initial and impressionable perspective when he first arrived in Los Angeles in his late teens, where he experienced culture shock to a lifestyle very much different from the conservative town he grew up in. Rose stated "I was pissed off about some black people [who] were trying to rob me. I wanted to insult those particular black people. I didn't want to support racism."<ref name="Neely92"/> In response to the allegations of homophobia, Rose said he considered himself "pro-heterosexual" but is "not against [homosexuals] doing what they want to do as long as it's not hurting anybody else and they're not forcing it upon [him]".<ref name="Neely92"/> He blamed this attitude on "bad experiences" with gay men, citing an attempted rape in his late teens and the alleged molestation by his biological father.<ref name="Neely92"/><ref name="James89"/><ref name="Sischy92"/> The controversy led to Guns N' Roses being dropped from the roster of an AIDS benefit show in New York organized by the [[Gay Men's Health Crisis]].<ref name="James89"/><ref name=Sugerman91/>
With the success of ''Appetite for Destruction'' and ''G N' R Lies'', Rose found himself lauded as one of rock's most prominent frontmen. By the time he appeared solo on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in August 1989, his celebrity was such that the influential music magazine agreed to his absolute requirement that the interview and accompanying photographs would be provided by two of his friends, writer [[Del James]] and photographer [[Robert John (photographer)|Robert John]].<ref name="WAR">{{Cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|title=W.A.R. The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|publisher=St. Martin's Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-312-54148-4|pages=161–162}}</ref> [[MTV]] anchorman [[Kurt Loder]] described Rose as "maybe the finest hard rock singer currently on the scene, and certainly the most charismatic".<ref name="Loder90">{{Cite video|people=Loder, Kurt|title=Famous Last Words: Axl Rose|medium=Television production|publisher=MTV|date=1990}}</ref>

=== 1990–1993: international success with ''Use Your Illusion'' ===
In early 1990, Guns N' Roses returned to the studio to begin recording the full-length follow-up to ''Appetite for Destruction''. Recording sessions initially proved unproductive due to Steven Adler's struggle with drug addiction, which made him unable to perform and caused sessions to be delayed for several days at a time.<ref name="Spitz99"/> Adler was fired the following July and replaced by [[Matt Sorum]] of [[the Cult]].<ref name="Spitz99"/> Keyboardist [[Dizzy Reed]] also joined the band that year at Rose's insistence.<ref name="Spitz99"/> Sorum and Reed played their first show with Guns N' Roses at [[Rock in Rio#Rock in Rio 2|Rock in Rio 2]] in January 1991. The group fired its long-time manager, [[Alan Niven]], in May of that year; Rose reportedly forced the dismissal of Niven against the wishes of his bandmates by refusing to complete the new album until Niven was gone.<ref name="Neely91">{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|title=Guns N' Roses: Outta Control|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=September 5, 1991|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/guns-n-roses-outta-control-100543/}}</ref> He was replaced by roadie Doug Goldstein, whom Izzy Stradlin described as "the guy who gets to go over to Axl's at six in the morning after he's smashed his $60,000 grand piano out of the picture window".<ref name="Kent03"/>

In May 1991, still without an album to promote, the band embarked on the two-and-a-half-year [[Use Your Illusion Tour]], which became known for its financial success and myriad controversial incidents that occurred during shows, including late starts, on-stage rantings and even riots. Rose received much criticism for his late appearances at concerts, sometimes taking the stage hours after the band was scheduled to perform.<ref name="Neely92"/> In July 1991, 90 minutes into a concert at the [[Riverport Amphitheater]] near [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]], after on-stage requests from Rose for security personnel to confiscate a fan's video camera, Rose himself dived into the crowd to seize it. After being pulled back on stage, he announced, "Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I'm going home!" and departed, following which some 2,500 fans staged [[Riverport riot|a riot]], resulting in an estimated $200,000 in damages.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Neely|first=Kim|title=Fans Riot at Guns Show|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=August 22, 1991}}</ref>

[[Image:Axl Rose at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, Israel -- May 1993.jpg|thumb|Rose at [[Yarkon Park]] in Tel Aviv, Israel, in May 1993]]

In September 1991, with enough material completed for two albums, Guns N' Roses released ''[[Use Your Illusion I]]'' and ''[[Use Your Illusion II]]'', which debuted at No.{{nbsp}}2 and No.{{nbsp}}1 respectively on the ''Billboard'' 200, a feat not achieved by any other group.<ref name="Sugerman91"/> By the albums' release, however, Rose's relationships with his bandmates had become increasingly strained. His childhood friend Izzy Stradlin abruptly left the group in November 1991; he was replaced by [[Gilby Clarke]] of [[Kill For Thrills]].<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Sischy92"/> Of his reasons for leaving, Stradlin said, "I didn't like the complications that became such a part of daily life in Guns N' Roses,"<ref name="Musician92">{{cite magazine|title=Izzy Stradlin Interview with Musician|year=1992|magazine=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]] |url=http://www.chopaway.com/viewtopic.php?id=555|access-date=June 5, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120311211209/http://www.chopaway.com/viewtopic.php?id=555|archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> citing the riot and Rose's chronic lateness as examples, as well as his new-found sobriety making it difficult to be around other bandmates' continued alcohol and substance abuse.<ref name="Geffen98"/><ref name="Musician92"/>
On April 20, 1992, Rose performed with [[Elton John]] at [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] at Wembley Stadium singing "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" as a duet with John and also sang "[[We Will Rock You]]".

Another riot occurred in August 1992 at Montreal's [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]], during a [[Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour|co-headlining tour]] with [[Metallica]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|title=Riot Erupts at Concert Starring Guns 'n' Roses|author=''The New York Times'' staff|date=August 11, 1992|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 30, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504045707/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|archive-date=May 4, 2015}}</ref> Prior to Guns N' Roses' appearance, Metallica's set was cut short after singer-guitarist [[James Hetfield]] suffered second-degree burns in a pyrotechnics accident. However, Guns N' Roses was unable to go on stage early, because Rose once again was late arriving at the venue. Nearly an hour into their show, Rose complained of voice problems before walking off stage, following which a riot erupted in downtown Montreal, resulting in an estimated $400,000 in damages.<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/|title=Top 10 on Stage Rock Meltdowns|access-date=July 19, 2007|author=amit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029184620/http://www.celluloidandvinyl.com/2006/11/06/top-10-on-stage-rock-meltdowns/ |archive-date=October 29, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Riots Erupts at Concert Starring Guns N' Roses|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 11, 1992|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222013411/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/11/news/riot-erupts-at-concert-starring-guns-n-roses.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Guns 'N' Roses returns to Montreal: No riot this time|publisher=[[CTV Montreal]]|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=June 18, 2011|url=http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100128/mtl_guns_roses_concert100128/20100128/?hub=MontrealHome|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406044152/http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100128/mtl_guns_roses_concert100128/20100128/?hub=MontrealHome|archive-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> In November of that year, Rose was convicted of property damage and assault in relation to the Riverport riot; he was fined $50,000 and received two years' probation.<ref name="Kent03">{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Nick|title=Is Axl Rose Finished?|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=January 3, 2003|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jan/03/popandrock.artsfeatures|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910130910/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/jan/03/popandrock.artsfeatures|archive-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=November 10, 1992: Axl Rose is found guilty of property damage|publisher=ThisDayInRock.com|access-date=June 17, 2011|url=http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1992-axl-rose-is-found-guilty-of-property-damage/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007102520/http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1992-axl-rose-is-found-guilty-of-property-damage/|archive-date=October 7, 2011}}</ref>

Guns N' Roses played its final show of the Use Your Illusion Tour on July 17, 1993, at [[River Plate Stadium]] in Buenos Aires;<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bienstock|first=Richard|title=Last Gigs: Slash with Guns N' Roses|magazine=[[Guitar World]]|date=January 29, 2009|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/last_gigs_slash_with_guns_n039_roses|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612032002/http://www.guitarworld.com/last_gigs_slash_with_guns_n039_roses|archive-date=June 12, 2011}}</ref> it proved to be Rose's last live performance with the band for seven and a half years.<ref name="ClassicRock03">{{cite magazine|title=Welcome to the Jungle: A Timeline of Axl's Return to the Road|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=February 2003|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=55|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531143437/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=55|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The following August, Rose testified in court against Steven Adler, who had filed a lawsuit contending that he had been illegitimately fired. When the judge ruled against Rose, he agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $2,500,000 and 15% of the royalties for everything Adler recorded prior to his departure.<ref name="Wall07"/><ref name="Kent03"/> In November of that year, Guns N' Roses released ''[["The Spaghetti Incident?"]]'', a cover album of mostly punk songs, which proved less successful than its predecessors. Rose had included the hidden track "[[Look at Your Game, Girl]]", a song written by convicted murderer [[Charles Manson]], which he intended as a personal message to his ex-girlfriend [[Stephanie Seymour]].<ref name="Kent03"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Wall|first=Mick|author-link=Mick Wall|title=W.A.R.: The Unauthorized Biography of William Axl Rose|url=https://archive.org/details/warunauthorizedb00wall|url-access=registration|access-date=August 10, 2015|date=February 5, 2008|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4299-2884-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/warunauthorizedb00wall/page/257 257]–}}</ref><ref name="Stickwith">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-08-ca-65317-story.html|title=Guns N' Roses to Stick With Manson Song on Album: Convict's royalties from 'Girl' will be paid to the son of one of those killed in a spree masterminded by the cult leader|last1=Philips|first1=Chuck|date=December 8, 1993|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150509190452/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-12-08/entertainment/ca-65317_1_charles-manson-song|archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref> Controversy ensued, and the band subsequently pledged to donate any royalties to the son of one of Manson's victims.<ref name="Wall07"/><ref name="Manson cover">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-21-ca-59128-story.html|title=It's No Illusion: Guns N' Roses Does Charles Manson|last1=Hochman|first1=Steve|date=November 21, 1993|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150509200759/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-21/entertainment/ca-59128_1_charles-manson|archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref>

=== 1994–2000: hiatus ===
Without consultation from his bandmates, Rose did not renew Gilby Clarke's contract with the band in June 1994,<ref name="Wall07"/> as he claimed Clarke to be only a "hired hand".<ref>{{cite book|author1=Slash|last2=Bozza|first2=Anthony|title=Slash|date=October 30, 2007|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-135142-6|page=576}}</ref> Tension between Rose and Slash reached a breaking point after the latter discovered that Rose had hired his childhood friend [[Paul Tobias|Paul "Huge" Tobias]] as Clarke's replacement.<ref name="Wall07"/> Although the band recorded material during this time, it was ultimately not used because, according to Rose, their lack of collaboration prevented them from producing their best work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|title=Guns N' Roses Launch "Chinese Democracy" Tour in China|date=August 14, 2002|work=Guns N' Roses press release|access-date=May 16, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317014050/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=82|archive-date=March 17, 2015}}</ref>

In August 1995, Rose legally left the band and created a new partnership under the band's name, a step he said he took "to salvage Guns not steal it".<ref name="PRTN">{{cite web|url=http://www.gnrevolution.com/viewtopic.php?id=3350|title=1995: Chinese Whispers / 1995 / GNR Evolution - Guns N Roses Forum|website=www.gnrevolution.com}}</ref> Rose reportedly purchased the full rights to the Guns N' Roses name in 1997.<ref name="gnrname">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/508988/axl-rose-buys-guns-n-roses-name/|title=Axl Rose Buys "Guns N' Roses" Name|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=January 30, 1997|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]]|access-date=April 24, 2015|quote="Guns N' Roses leader Axl Rose has bought the rights to the name "Guns N' Roses," and can put out any music he wants under that moniker, played by anyone he chooses"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630062052/http://www.mtv.com/news/508988/axl-rose-buys-guns-n-roses-name/|archive-date=June 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=7|title=Axl Rose Buys "Guns N' Roses" Name|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=January 30, 1997|work=heretodaygonetohell.com; Addicted To Noise|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216081305/http://heretodaygonetohell.com/news/shownews.php?newsid=7|archive-date=December 16, 2010}}</ref> Slash claimed he and other bandmates signed away rights to the name before the July 5, 1993 show in Barcelona, Spain with Axl delivering an ultimatum: they had to sign the name over to him or he would not perform.<ref name="RollingStone00">{{cite magazine|title=What Happened to Axl Rose: The Inside Story of Rock's Most Famous Recluse|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 11, 2000|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=32|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906062814/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=32|archive-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> (In 2008, however, Rose said Slash's claims were false and that the alleged coercion would have rendered the contract legally untenable.<ref>{{cite news|title=Axl Rose: Why I Am Continuing To Use Name Guns N' Roses|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 14, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2012|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-why-i-am-continung-to-use-name-guns-n-roses/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311010855/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/axl-rose-why-i-am-continung-to-use-name-guns-n-roses/|archive-date=March 11, 2014}}</ref>)

Slash finally left Guns N' Roses in October 1996 due to his differences with Rose,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429823/g-n-rs-blizzard-of-acrimony/|title=G n' R's Blizzard of Acrimony|date=November 8, 1996|work=MTV News|access-date=April 24, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519022453/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429823/g-n-rs-blizzard-of-acrimony/|archive-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> while Matt Sorum was fired in June 1997 after an argument over Tobias's involvement in the band.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harkness|first=Geoff|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/|title=Seven Questions with Matt Sorum of The Cult|work=Lawrence Journal-World|date=June 28, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002401/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2001/jun/28/seven_questions_with/|archive-date=September 14, 2008|access-date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Duff McKagan departed the band in August of that year, leaving Rose and Dizzy Reed as the only remaining band members of the ''Use Your Illusion'' era.<ref name="RollingStone00"/>

As the stability of Guns N' Roses collapsed, Rose withdrew from public view. The band never officially broke up, although it did not tour or perform for several years and no new material was released. Rose continued to recruit new musicians to replace band members who either left or were fired. By the late 1990s, he was considered to be a recluse, rarely making public appearances and spending most of his time in his mansion in [[Malibu, California|Malibu]]. In various media reports, he was referred to as the "[[Howard Hughes]] of rock" and "rock's greatest recluse".<ref name="Spitz99"/><ref name="Sutcliffe01">{{cite magazine|last=Sutcliffe|first=Phil|title=Didn't You Used to be Axl Rose?|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=May 2001|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=42|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530003051/http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/articles/showarticle.php?articleid=42|archive-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> Rose was said to spend his nights rehearsing and writing with the various new lineups of Guns N' Roses, working on the band's next album, ''[[Chinese Democracy (album)|Chinese Democracy]]''.<ref name="RollingStone00"/>

=== 2001–2011: touring in support of ''Chinese Democracy'' ===
[[Image:AxlRose cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Rose at the [[Download Festival]] in Donington Park, England, in June 2006]]

After a warmup show in Las Vegas a few weeks earlier, Rose resurfaced with Guns N' Roses at [[Rock in Rio 3]] on January 14, 2001, to commence the decade-long [[Chinese Democracy Tour]], though the majority of its scheduled concerts over the next two years did not take place. A surprise appearance at the [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards]] was followed by an incident in November when a riot erupted at Vancouver's [[General Motors Place]] after Rose failed to show up for a scheduled concert. When venue staff announced the cancellation, a riot broke out, resulting in an estimated $100,000 in damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/|title=Guns N' Roses cap night of spectacles from Diddy, Eminem, Timberlake|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|date=August 29, 2002|work=MTV News|access-date=April 23, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802050634/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457257/guns-n-roses-cap-night-of-spectacles-from-diddy-eminem-timberlake/|archive-date=August 2, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ClassicRock03"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=John|title=Singer Blames Venue for Roses Riot|publisher=BBC|date=November 11, 2002|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2444663.stm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620144243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2444663.stm|archive-date=June 20, 2011}}</ref> As the band's lineup continued to evolve, his constant bandmates were guitarist [[Richard Fortus]], bassist [[Tommy Stinson]], and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and [[Chris Pitman]].

After the tour was canceled by the promoter, Rose again withdrew from the public view. During this time, he joined Slash and Duff McKagan in a lawsuit against Geffen Records in an unsuccessful attempt to block the release of the ''[[Greatest Hits (Guns N' Roses album)|Greatest Hits]]'' compilation album,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|title=Axl Rose Sued By Ex-Guns N' Roses Bandmates|publisher=MTV|date=May 4, 2004|access-date=June 11, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486792/axl-rose-sued-by-exguns-n-roses-bandmates.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120074606/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486792/axl-rose-sued-by-exguns-n-roses-bandmates.jhtml|archive-date=January 20, 2011}}</ref> and lent his voice to the 2004 video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'', as the DJ for the radio station, K-DST.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Axl Rose, Game, Charlie Murphy Lend Voices To 'San Andreas'|publisher=MTV|date=October 26, 2004|access-date=June 11, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493045/axl-rose-game-lend-voices-san-andreas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107095829/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493045/axl-rose-game-lend-voices-san-andreas.jhtml|archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> In a rare interview in January 2006, Rose said "people will hear music this year."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bliss|first=Karen|title=Axl Rose Breaks His Silence on 'Chinese Democracy'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 18, 2006|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-breaks-his-silence-on-chinese-democracy-20060118|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202170144/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-breaks-his-silence-on-chinese-democracy-20060118|archive-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref> While Guns N' Roses toured extensively throughout 2006 and 2007, with several guest appearances by Izzy Stradlin, ''Chinese Democracy'' again failed to materialize.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Axl Rose Sets 'Chinese Democracy' Release Date, Apologizes for Delay|publisher=MTV|date=December 15, 2006|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1548109/axl-sets-chinese-democracy-date.jhtml?rsspartner=rssyahoo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107095847/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1548109/axl-sets-chinese-democracy-date.jhtml?rsspartner=rssyahoo|archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> Rose did collaborate with his friend [[Sebastian Bach]] on his album ''[[Angel Down]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Angel Down Review|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=November 20, 2007|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/sebastian_bach/angel_down/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009095156/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/sebastian_bach/angel_down/index.html|archive-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref>

Fifteen years after its last album, in November 2008, Guns N' Roses released ''Chinese Democracy'' exclusively via the electronics retailer [[Best Buy]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy Release Date Set|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 10, 2008|access-date=June 5, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/10/chinese-democracy-release-date-set|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024154511/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/10/chinese-democracy-release-date-set|archive-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> Rose did not contribute to the album's promotion; by December, he had reportedly been missing for at least two months and had not returned phone calls or other requests from his record label.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bingham|first=John|title=Axl Rose absence blamed for failure of Chinese Democracy to hit top spot|newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]]|date=December 2, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707105332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3541076/Axl-Rose-absence-blamed-for-failure-of-Chinese-Democracy-to-hit-top-spot.html|archive-date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> In a subsequent interview, Rose said he felt he had not received the necessary support from [[Interscope Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|title=Axl Rose Speaks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 6, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2011|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623084212/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/axl-speaks/interview.shtml|archive-date=June 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> A year after the album's release, in December 2009, Guns N' Roses embarked on another two-and-a-half years of touring, including a headlining performance at [[Rock in Rio#Rock in Rio 4|Rock in Rio 4]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Guns N' Roses to Launch First U.S. Tour in Five Years|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671133/guns-n-roses-us-tour.jhtml|publisher=MTV.com|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=September 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924184311/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671133/guns-n-roses-us-tour.jhtml|archive-date=September 24, 2011}}</ref>

=== 2012–present: Hall of Fame and regrouping; AC/DC ===
[[file:ACDC with AxlRose WashingtonDC 17-SEP-2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Rose performing with [[AC/DC]] in 2016]]

Together with the other members of Guns N' Roses' classic lineup, Rose was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2012, their first year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite news|last=Michaels|first=Sean|title=Guns N' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 8, 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/08/guns-n-roses-rock-roll-hall-fame|access-date=February 18, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005153051/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/dec/08/guns-n-roses-rock-roll-hall-fame|archive-date=October 5, 2013}}</ref> He did not attend the induction ceremony in April, however,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cleveland's Rock Hall welcomes new class|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clevelands-rock-hall-welcomes-new-class/|work=[[CBS News]]|date=April 14, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415215813/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57414229/clevelands-rock-hall-welcomes-new-class/|archive-date=April 15, 2012}}</ref> as he had announced in an open letter three days prior.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|last=Quan|first=Denise|title=Axl Rose refuses Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honor|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/11/showbiz/axl-rose-hall-of-fame/|date=April 12, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414203300/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/11/showbiz/axl-rose-hall-of-fame/|archive-date=April 14, 2012}}</ref> Rose, who had long been on bad terms with several of his former bandmates, wrote that the ceremony "doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected".<ref name="CNN"/> He subsequently joined his band in [[Artist-in-residence|residencies]] at [[The Joint (music venue)|The Joint]] in [[Las Vegas]] in 2012 and 2014, as part of the [[Appetite for Democracy (Tour)|Appetite for Democracy Tour]] celebrating the anniversaries of ''[[Appetite for Destruction]]'' and ''[[Chinese Democracy]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-taking-over-las-vegas-with-appetite-for-democracy-residency-20120813|title=Guns N' Roses to Take Over Las Vegas With 'Appetite for Democracy' Residency|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003745/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/guns-n-roses-taking-over-las-vegas-with-appetite-for-democracy-residency-20120813|archive-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://lfpress.com/entertainment/music/2012/08/13/20098716-wenn-story.html|title=Guns N' Roses heading to Vegas|newspaper=London Free Press|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814203821/http://www.lfpress.com/entertainment/music/2012/08/13/20098716-wenn-story.html|archive-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref> By mid-2014, the group's new album, recorded concurrently with ''Chinese Democracy'', and a remix album were completed and pending release, but no new material emerged.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|title=Axl Rose Says Guns N' Roses Have Two New Albums Completed|work=[[Revolver Magazine]]|date=June 4, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717092704/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/axl-rose-says-guns-n-roses-have-two-new-albums-completed.html|archive-date=July 17, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref>

[[file:Reformation des Guns N' Roses , photo exceptionnelle des trois précurseurs du groupe mythique.jpg|thumb|right|Rose (left) alongside [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] (center) and [[Duff McKagan]] (right) performing with [[Guns N' Roses]] in 2018]]

Rose and [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] reunited for the [[Not in This Lifetime... Tour]], one of the most-anticipated reunion tours in rock history.<ref name="Greene16"/> Alongside [[Dizzy Reed]] and returning member [[Duff McKagan]], who had previously made guest appearances with the band, they comprised two-thirds of the band's ''Use Your Illusion''-era lineup, with ''Chinese Democracy''-era members [[Richard Fortus]] and [[Frank Ferrer]] joining new member [[Melissa Reese]] to fill in the rest of the lineup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2016/04/guns-n-roses-classic-lineup-reunites-for-first-gig-in-23-years-setlist-video/|title=Guns N Roses' classic lineup reunites for first gig in 23 years: Setlist + video|work=Consequence of Sound|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427130152/https://consequence.net/2016/04/guns-n-roses-classic-lineup-reunites-for-first-gig-in-23-years-setlist-video/|archive-date=April 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6029516/duff-mckagan-reuniting-with-guns-n-roses-to-help-axl-out-says-tommy-stinson|first=Gary|last=Graff|title=Duff McKagan Reuniting With Guns N' Roses to 'Help Axl Out,' Says Tommy Stinson|magazine=Billboard|date=April 1, 2014|access-date=April 20, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502141446/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6029516/duff-mckagan-reuniting-with-guns-n-roses-to-help-axl-out-says-tommy-stinson|archive-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> Rose shared a stage with Slash for the first time in nearly 23 years during the group's surprise performance at The Troubadour in April 2016, ahead of its headlining shows at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]].<ref name="Greene16">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/six-questions-we-still-have-about-guns-n-roses-reunion-20160404#ixzz464xZmrOV|title=6 Questions We Still Have About Guns N' Roses' Reunion|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Andy|last=Greene|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419043801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/six-questions-we-still-have-about-guns-n-roses-reunion-20160404#ixzz464xZmrOV|archive-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-slash-to-reunite-guns-n-roses-at-coachella-20151230|title=Axl Rose, Slash to Reunite Guns N' Roses at Coachella |first1=Kory|last1=Grow |first2=Brittany|last2=Spanos |date=December 30, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=April 19, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417030317/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/axl-rose-slash-to-reunite-guns-n-roses-at-coachella-20151230|archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> The tour was a massive success, and became the [[List of highest-grossing concert tours|third highest-grossing concert tour of all time]] at the time of its conclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-not-in-this-lifetime-believed-to-be-second-highest-grossing-tour-of-all-time/|title=GUNS N' ROSES' 'Not In This Lifetime' Believed To Be Second-Highest-Grossing Tour Of All Time|last=Blabbermouth|date=December 17, 2018|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>
[[File:Axl Rose live in London 2022.jpg|thumb|Rose performing in London in 2022.]]
On April 16, 2016, Australian [[hard rock]] band [[AC/DC]] announced that Rose would be joining them and performing as the lead singer for the remainder of the band's [[Rock or Bust World Tour]], after long-time lead vocalist [[Brian Johnson]] had to stop touring due to hearing problems.<ref name="RS April 2016">{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|access-date=April 17, 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151941/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> Subsequent reports indicated that guitarist [[Angus Young]] would be continuing the band with Rose as its official lead singer.<ref>{{cite web |title=AC/DC Continuing With Axl Rose 'Never Really Came Up' |author=Martin Kielty |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=November 5, 2020 |access-date=September 28, 2021 |url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/acdc-continuing-with-axl-rose/ |quote=}}</ref> This did not happen however; on September 30, 2020, AC/DC officially announced that Brian Johnson, along with [[Phil Rudd]] and [[Cliff Williams]] had returned to the band in 2018 and recorded an album, showing that Rose only stepped in to help finish the tour and that he was never brought in to replace Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://badfeelingmag.com/2020/09/30/ac-dc-reunite-with-vocalist-brian-johnson-tease-pwr-up-album/|title=AC/DC reunite with vocalist Brian Johnson, tease PWR/UP album|publisher=Bad Feeling Magazine|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=March 7, 2021}}</ref>

In 2018, Rose appeared in an episode of ''[[New Looney Tunes]]'' as himself, singing an original song "Rock the Rock".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Hear Axl Rose's First New Song in 10 Years, 'Rock the Rock' |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-new-song-rock-the-rock-775361/ |quote=}}</ref> In 2021, Rose again appeared as himself in a cartoon, this time ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=How 'Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?' Landed That Axl Rose Guest Spot |last=Greene |first=Andy |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/scooby-doo-axl-rose-cameo-interview-1132969/ |quote=}}</ref>

Rose and Guns N' Roses continued touring after the Not In This Lifetime... Tour, with the [[Guns N' Roses 2020 Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/guns-n-roses-2020-north-american-tour/ |title=Guns N' Roses Announce New 2020 Stadium Tour Dates |last=Lifton |first=Dave |date=February 3, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> The group released two singles in 2021, "[[Absurd (song)|Absurd]]" and "[[Hard Skool]]", the first release of newly recorded material since 2008. Hard Skool was heavily praised in comparison to Absurd, both songs feature vocals recorded in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guns N' Roses Share New Song "ABSUЯD" |last=Minsker |first=Evan |work=Pitchfork |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url= https://pitchfork.com/news/guns-n-roses-share-new-song-absurd-listen/ }}</ref><ref name="HARDSK">{{cite web |title=GUNS N' ROSES To Release New Single 'Hard Skool' This Friday |author= |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 23, 2021 |url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-to-release-new-single-hard-skool-this-friday/ |language= |quote=}}</ref>

In 2023, Rose and the band would release the two singles "[[Perhaps (song)|Perhaps]]" and "[[The General (Guns N' Roses song)|The General]]", the latter having a music video uploaded to YouTube on January 24.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/guns-n-roses-releases-cinematic-a-i-generated-animated-music-video-for-the-general|title=GUNS N' ROSES Releases Cinematic A.I.-Generated Animated Music Video For 'The General'|date=January 24, 2024|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> In addition, they performed live in [[Indio, California|Indio]], California on October as part of the [[Guns N' Roses 2023 Tour|2023 tour]]
.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=August 18, 2023 |title=Watch: GUNS N' ROSES Releases Official Music Video For 'Perhaps' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-guns-n-roses-releases-official-music-video-for-perhaps |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> The band [[Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tour|continued touring]] in 2025.