Duff McKagan reveals intimate struggle with loneliness during explosive rise to fame with Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan recently opened up about the challenges of sudden fame, revealing that the band’s rise to stardom left him feeling “kind of lonely.” McKagan shared his thoughts on the Broken Record Podcast, reflecting on the momentous success of the band during the Appetite For Destruction era.
McKagan expressed how surreal it was to experience the band’s breakthrough, recalling the overwhelming nature of their meteoric rise. He noted that as they gained more recognition, he started to notice a shift in how people interacted with him. The once ordinary questions people asked him suddenly transformed into inquiries about how fame had changed him.
He reflected on how he began to accumulate more friends out of the blue, and how his sense of humor seemed to have improved overnight. McKagan recalled being hit on by individuals who he considered “out of his league,” only to realize that the newfound attention was a result of Guns N’ Roses’ prominence in the music industry.
Despite the drastic changes brought about by fame, McKagan maintained that he stayed grounded and did not let it go to his head. He emphasized that he always returned to his roots, surrounding himself with the close friends he grew up with, who continue to be his support system through thick and thin.
McKagan’s humility and down-to-earth nature have remained steadfast throughout his journey in the music industry. He emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself and not letting external factors overshadow personal values and relationships.
For fans of Duff McKagan’s music, his solo album, Lighthouse, is currently available for streaming. To learn more about his latest projects and upcoming releases, visit his website.
