Highlights
- Guns N’ Roses feuded with Paul Stanley from KISS.
- Guns N’ Roses had a rough reputation in the music industry during their early days.
- KISS has been involved in numerous feuds.
Even though KISS and Guns ‘N Roses took the music world by storm years apart, the two bands have a lot in common. Uncommon success stories, both bands created a lot of controversy as members feuded with each other.
Unfortunately for Guns N’ Roses, they have also been plagued by lawsuits and they have been wrapped up in bizarre feuds. Arguably one of the weirdest feuds Guns N’ Roses got involved with was with Paul Stanley from KISS over some advice.
Why Did Guns ‘N Roses Feud With Paul Stanley From KISS?
By the time Guns N’ Roses began to produce their debut album, the band KISS had been famous for more than a decade. When a band has enjoyed as much success as KISS has, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they tend to get a lot of respect.
During the late-’80s, Paul Stanley from KISS likely was very used to being treated with respect. As a result, the guitarist and vocalist likely expected to get a hero’s welcome when he met with the members of Guns N’ Roses. Sadly for Stanley, however, that definitely isn’t what happened.
During Stanley’s career, he has produced several KISS songs as well as a lot of his solo work. According to a Rolling Stone report from 2007, Stanley wanted to branch out that part of his repertoire with a band that was up and coming at the time.
“Appetite for Destruction’s” Hit Singles:
- “Welcome to the Jungle”
- “Paradise City”
- “Sweet Child o’ Mine”
- “It’s So Easy”
- “My Michelle”
During those early days, Guns N’ Roses had a rough reputation in the music industry. As Rolling Stone revealed in their article about the making of the band’s first album, “Appetite for Destruction”, producers didn’t want to work with Guns N’ Roses.
When Paul Stanley went to an apartment to meet with Guns N’ Roses about producing their debut album, he didn’t get a warm welcome according to Rolling Stone. “He showed up one day at an apartment the label had rented for the band on Sunset Boulevard and found Stradlin and Slash nodded out on a couch.”
Unfortunately for Stanley, it seems that things only went worse from there for Stanley. After listening to a demo, Stanley reportedly made a single suggestion about a change. “When they woke up, they played him some demos, including one of “Nightrain.” Stanley liked it but suggested the chorus needed an extra hook.”
Of course, a lot of musicians are very invested in their songs, so it isn’t shocking that the wrong suggestion can ruin a potential musical relationship. Still, it is amazing to learn how the band reacted to Stanley’s suggestion.
Based on what came next according to Rolling Stone, Stanley’s suggestion seemed to outrage at least two Guns N’ Roses members.
“That was it: Rose never spoke to Stanley again, refusing to even look at him. Then Stanley started hearing that Slash was spreading rumors that he was gay — and that he ‘dressed weird,’ to boot.”
These days, Slash spreading homophobic rumors would be scandalous but verbiage like that was far less controversial during the ’80s. In 2007, Rolling Stone quoted Stanley’s retort to the rumors which also would have made some people angry today.
“‘I always thought that was funny,’ says Stanley. ‘Because their lead singer was up onstage in a woman’s red vinyl jumpsuit with a motorcycle hat and makeup.’”
Who Else Has Guns N’ Roses Feuded With?
Between 1987 and 2008, Guns N’ Roses released six albums, most of which became massive hits. Between that and the fact that Guns N’ Roses has made a fortune from touring, there is no doubt that the band has loads of devoted fans.
Within the music industry, there also are several artists who have been open about being influenced by Guns N’ Roses. In fact, several incredibly talented and famous performers have also recorded music and toured with Guns N’ Roses members.
On the other hand, there has been a long list of famous artists who’ve openly feuded with the members of Guns N’ Roses. Unsurprisingly, many of those artists have especially been angry at Axl Rose.
Perhaps the most surprising musician that Rose feuded with was David Bowie. After Bowie reportedly hit on Rose’s girlfriend at the time, things got so bad that Rose reportedly even threw a punch at the legendary musician.
Other Famous Musicians Axl Rose Feuded With:
- Nirvana
- Mötley Crüe
- Slipknot
- Nine Inch Nails
- The Offspring
- Bon Jovi
Another infamous feud during the ’90s was Guns N’ Roses versus Metallica. After the two bands went on tour together, things went awry between the two groups. Things really came to a head after James Hetfield got burned onstage and Axl Rose refused to do a full performance that night.
Who Else Has KISS Feuded With?
According to Rolling Stone’s account of Paul Stanley’s feud with Guns N’ Roses, the KISS performer didn’t intend to cause drama. No matter how that situation played out, the truth remains that KISS has always been surrounded by controversy.
During the early days of KISS’ career, it was a lot of parents that took issue with the band. As time has gone on, however, many of KISS’ peers have called the long-lasting band out.
Easily the most infamous feud KISS has been involved in was with the band’s former members. In fact, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons versus Ace Frehley and Peter Criss is such a long-lasting feud that there is nowhere near enough room to sum it up here. Suffice it to say, KISS’ four original members haven’t seen eye to eye in a long time.
A more recent KISS feud involved Gene Simmons and David Lee Roth. After Roth went on tour with KISS, Simmons called the former Van Halen singer out for not being the showman he once was. Unsurprisingly, Roth was very angry and responded with an Instagram post of a child sticking their middle finger up.
Other Famous Musicians KISS Feuded With:
- Ice Cube
- Mötley Crüe
- Carlos Santana
- Greta Van Fleet
- Pearl Jam
- Justin Bieber
Another rock star who has been very public about their distaste for KISS has been Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Ever since Aerosmith and KISS went on tour together in the mid-’70s, Tyler has publicly questioned KISS’ artistic integrity.
Source: NewsFinale
