Discover the Untold Story of How Guns N’ Roses’ Classic Album Almost Got the Axe – You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!
Renowned A&R executive Tom Zutaut has recently revealed a fascinating story about the iconic debut album of Guns N’ Roses, Appetite For Destruction. Back in 1987, this groundbreaking record faced the brink of being dropped by the record label Geffen due to poor initial sales figures.
Despite its eventual status as the seventh best-selling album of all time in the US and the best-selling debut album ever, the future of Appetite For Destruction was uncertain in its early days. Even MTV hesitated to play the Welcome To The Jungle music video until Geffen stepped in to advocate for its potential.
At one point, Geffen was seriously contemplating abandoning the album altogether when it debuted at a lackluster No. 182 on the Billboard Hot 200 Chart and failed to sell more than 200,000 units within the first few months. Zutaut recalled the pivotal moment when the president of the company called him to deliver the news that the record was considered a lost cause.
“There was a time and a point where the president of the company called me up and said, ‘This record is over, we’re walking away from it. It’s done,’” recounts Zutaut on the X5 Podcast. “‘You’ve got to quit beating up the marketing people, the promotion people. They are sick of you hammering ’em on Guns N’ Roses.’”
However, Zutaut’s unwavering belief in the album’s potential drove him to fight for its success. “‘200,000 is shit, man. This record is gonna sell millions,’” he insisted. His vision ultimately proved true as Appetite For Destruction went on to make history as the largest-selling debut rock album ever, a record that still stands strong even in the digital age of streaming. Zutaut’s foresight and determination played a crucial role in shaping the career of Guns N’ Roses.
Reflecting on his approach as an A&R executive, Zutaut highlighted his hands-on involvement in the studio, a quality that set him apart from his peers. “I would go in the studio and actually get involved,” he shared. Drawing on his experience apprenticing with legendary producers like Roy Thomas Baker, Tom Werman, and Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, Zutaut honed his skills and insights that would ultimately shape the success of Appetite For Destruction.
For fans looking to revisit the magic of that transformative era in rock music, a listen to the opening track of Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, “Welcome to the Jungle,” serves as a perfect trip down memory lane. This iconic song, infused with raw energy and attitude, encapsulates the spirit and power of the album that almost met an untimely end before rising to legendary status.
