Biography
Who is Axl Rose?
Early life and real name
Axl Rose was born William Bruce Rose Jr. On February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, United States. His parents were Sharon Elizabeth Lintner and William Bruce Rose. The family situation was difficult, and his parents separated when he was around two years old. His mother later married Stephen L. Bailey, and his name was changed to William Bruce Bailey. Until age seventeen, he believed Bailey was his biological father.
Growing up in Lafayette, Axl attended Jefferson High School, where he joined the chorus and studied piano. He sang in the church choir from age five and performed with his siblings in a group called the Bailey Trio. At age seventeen, he discovered his birth name while reviewing insurance papers and began using W. Rose to distance himself from his biological father. After encountering legal troubles in Indiana, he moved to Los Angeles in December 1982.
Rise of Guns N' Roses
Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, Axl joined bands such as Rapidfire and Hollywood Rose alongside childhood friend Izzy Stradlin. In March 1985, he and Tracii Guns formed Guns N' Roses by merging Hollywood Rose with L.A. Guns. The finalized lineup featured Axl alongside lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. The band built a dedicated following on the local club circuit before signing with Geffen Records in March 1986.
In July 1987, Guns N' Roses released their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. Driven by relentless touring and the mainstream success of the single Sweet Child o' Mine, the album eventually reached the top of the charts. To date, the record has sold over thirty million copies worldwide, establishing itself as the best-selling debut album of all time in the United States.
Controversies and later career
The band released the twin albums Use Your Illusion I and II in 1991, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and sold thirty-five million copies combined. During this period, Axl faced significant media scrutiny due to volatile behavior on tour, including riots and feuds with other prominent musicians. The stopgap album G N' R Lies was released in November 1988, though it drew intense criticism and accusations of racism and homophobia regarding the song One in a Million.
After years of delay and public absence, Axl reemerged to release Chinese Democracy in 2008. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, though he declined to attend the ceremony. In 2016, he reunited with classic band members Slash and Duff McKagan for the Not in This Lifetime Tour, and also performed as a guest vocalist for AC/DC during several live shows.
Personal life
Axl Rose stands 175 centimeters tall and has been involved in several high-profile relationships throughout his career. His past relationships with Erin Everly and Stephanie Seymour inspired multiple songs for his band, including the chart-topping hit Sweet Child o' Mine. Despite facing various legal and personal controversies over the decades, he has remained a defining figure in rock music history, continuing to tour and release new material into the twenty-first century.
Birthday and age
Axl Rose was born on February 6, 1962, which makes Axl 64 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Axl shares the date with 35 other famous people.
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