Unforgettable Controversies: Axl Rose’s Most Notorious Moments
On June 2, 1991, Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose caused a riot during a concert by attacking a fan and then leaving the venue. The aftermath of the chaos resulted in 65 people injured and $300,000 in damages to both the venue and the band’s equipment. Despite facing charges for his actions, Rose managed to escape with a hefty fine and probation.
This incident was just one of the two riots that Axl Rose had a hand in inciting during the band’s world tour to promote their upcoming double album “Use Your Illusion 1 & 2”, slated for release on September 17, 1991. The second riot occurred in Montreal two months later, where the band took to the stage two hours behind schedule and ended the show prematurely. This second riot led to $400,000 in damages and spilled out onto the streets of the city, with fans vandalizing property, setting fires, and looting stores.
Duff McKagen, the band’s bassist, later reflected on the tense atmosphere that followed the Riverport incident, stating, “Every gig after Riverport, the threat of violence hung in the air — or at least it felt that way to me as I sat around stewing, waiting for our singer to turn up each night, listening nervously for the festive noise of the arena to transform into the low rumble of a big, angry crowd.” McKagen’s memoir “It’s So Easy: And Other Lies” provides an intimate look at the band’s tumultuous experiences during that period.
