Fans of Guns N' Roses brought a memorable music video moment to life during one of the band’s electrifying performances this summer, and even the legendary Axl Rose gave his seal of approval. This event showcases the deep connection between the band and its dedicated fanbase.

If there’s one thing that will forever define Guns N’ Roses (aside from their groundbreaking album Appetite for Destruction), it’s undoubtedly the unforgettable music videos they created during the height of their fame. Particularly, the trilogy of “Don’t Cry,” “November Rain,” and “Estranged” stands out as iconic pieces of art that resonate with fans.

At a concert in Munich, Germany this past June, a pair of enthusiastic fans decided to pay tribute to the “Estranged” music video while the band performed the song live. Their creative homage caught the attention of Axl Rose, who appreciated their cleverness and pointed them out to fellow band members Slash and Duff McKagan.

The two concertgoers, positioned right at the front rail, donned dolphin heads and proudly held aloft a replica of Rose’s signature AXL Converse sneakers. Read on to discover why this playful gesture was so remarkable and why it elicited laughter from the band members.

What Inspired Fans to Dress as Dolphins at the Concert?

Dolphins play a significant role throughout the “Estranged” music video, including a memorable scene where Axl Rose swims with them after diving off an oil tanker into the vast ocean. One of the most impactful moments in the video features one of the singer’s Converse sneakers sinking to the ocean floor, symbolizing loss and longing.

In a playful nod to this iconic scene, the fans dressed as the two dolphins and pretended to return Rose’s lost sneaker to him. The frontman, amused by their antics, pointed them out to Slash, who looked a bit puzzled, and McKagan, who couldn’t help but laugh at the clever tribute.

Check out some social media posts below to see the fun unfold.

Why Were Dolphins Incorporated into the ‘Estranged’ Music Video?

As mentioned previously, the music videos for “Don’t Cry,” “November Rain,” and “Estranged” were designed to form a cohesive trilogy. However, the inclusion of dolphins was not part of the initial concept. When Axl Rose began dating model Stephanie Seymour—who starred in the “Don’t Cry” video and played the bride in “November Rain”—she was intended to appear in “Estranged” as well. But by the time filming commenced, Rose and Seymour had parted ways.

In a humorous twist, Rose decided to replace the beautiful model with dolphins. Director Andy Morahan shared insight into this choice, stating, “Axl had split up with Stephanie Seymour and he was like, ‘I don’t want any more beautiful girls in my videos; I’d rather have a dolphin.’”

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Morahan further explained that they intentionally included dolphins to provoke curiosity, making viewers wonder, “What’s all that about?!” This artistic choice added layers of mystery and intrigue to the entire trilogy, which benefited the band’s image and narrative.

Axl Rose later elaborated on the symbolic meaning of the dolphins in the “Estranged” segment of Makin’ F@*!Ing Videos, released on VHS in 1994. He explained, “The dolphins were meant to represent a state of peace or grace. It wasn’t originally intended, but in the next scene, I will be drowned and go to heaven, and I really didn’t want to shoot a heaven scene.” He added, “The music in the song always reminded us of whales at that particular point, and so dolphins showed up, tying everything together.”

The production of the video came at a staggering cost of $4 million—a significant sum even back in the ’90s—yet its impact and legacy continue to inspire new generations of fans to this day.