The Guns N’ Roses Use Your Illusion Tour stands out as one of the most electrifying and controversial tours in the history of rock music. By the year 1991, the once-struggling band from Los Angeles had transformed into the biggest rock phenomenon globally, fueled by the overwhelming success of their groundbreaking debut album, Appetite for Destruction, and the follow-up release, G N’ R Lies. Over the years, they had captivated massive audiences while sharing stages with legendary acts like Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, and Iron Maiden, quickly rising above their co-headliners in both popularity and onstage chaos.

During the Use Your Illusion Tour, Guns N’ Roses had the opportunity to showcase their prowess as headline acts in arenas and stadiums worldwide. After a year-long hiatus from touring, they reignited their energy with two explosive performances at Rock in Rio II in January 1991. During these shows, they introduced a variety of new songs from the yet-to-be-released Use Your Illusion albums, featuring a revamped lineup that included drummer Matt Sorum and keyboardist Dizzy Reed.

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Following their triumphant return, the band embarked on a global journey that spanned over two years, performing an astonishing 194 shows across 27 countries. This monumental Use Your Illusion Tour became one of the longest and most grueling tours in rock and roll history. The band’s unwavering popularity and tenacity were evident as they filled their setlists with new tracks that fans would not hear officially for several months. Remarkably, even these unfamiliar songs received enthusiastic reactions from audiences, showcasing the band’s magnetic stage presence.

However, beyond the thrilling live performances, the Use Your Illusion Tour became notorious for its extensive controversies, both onstage and behind the scenes. Lead vocalist Axl Rose frequently arrived at venues several hours late and exhibited unpredictable behavior during performances, often leading to abrupt cancellations or shortened shows. Such incidents sometimes incited riots among fans, resulting in significant property damage that cost the band hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The chaotic nature of their shows hinted at internal turmoil within the band. While Rose’s erratic behavior drew attention, other members of Guns N’ Roses battled their own demons with addiction. Bassist Duff McKagan was known to consume vodka excessively, while guitarist Slash faced a near-fatal overdose on heroin in a San Francisco hotel room, where his heart stopped beating for eight minutes.

Guns N’ Roses’ notorious reputation for dysfunction made them targets for media scrutiny and created tensions with fellow tour mates, including co-headliners Metallica and opening act Faith No More. This strain ultimately led to guitarist Izzy Stradlin departing the band in 1991 after achieving sobriety and realizing he could no longer endure their decadent lifestyle and the painfully slow pace at which they operated.

<pIn a stunning turn of events, on July 17, 1993, Guns N' Roses completed their final performance of the Use Your Illusion Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Miraculously, they managed to navigate the tumultuous and exhausting journey with their health intact, if not their mental state. Throughout this period, they delivered some of the most exhilarating performances of their careers. Unbeknownst to fans at the time, this two-and-a-half-year adventure would mark the last occasion that Rose, Slash, and McKagan would share the stage together for over two decades.

From memorable headline performances to explosive incidents, discover the 30 wildest moments from Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion Tour that remain etched in rock history.