Formed in Hollywood in 1985, Guns N’ Roses spent much of the following year touring in an effort make a name for themselves. These early shows cemented the first stable line-up, featuring Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagen, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler, and subsequently Guns signed to Geffen Records in March ‘86. In order to keep interest in the band alive whilst they recorded their debut album, they released the EP Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide, a faux-live record that contained an equal mix of covers and originals, two of which - ‘Mama Kin’ and ‘Move To The City’ - would become concert staples in the years to come.
Appetite For Destruction was released on 21st July 1987. Although the album and it’s first U.S. single, ‘Welcome To The Jungle,’ stagnated for almost a year without making a significant impact, David Geffen then assisted in getting the Jungle video played on MTV, albeit only in the wee-small-hours. It quickly caught the attention of hard rock fans, and the band’s popularity exploded. The album produced three more singles over the next year, including Guns’ only No. 1, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ while Appetite For Destruction reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
This recording - broadcast live from Perkins Palace in Pasadena, CA, on 30th December 1987 - took place just a few months following the release of Appetite, when the boys were still relatively unknown outside of their hometown. With the entire band in exceptional form throughout the performance here, this set is a rare example of Guns playing an early show while already clearly a musical force to be reckoned with.
1 It’s So Easy 2:54
2 Move To the City 4:24
3 Mr Brownstone 3:59
4 Out Ta Get Me 5:47
5 Sweet Child O’ Mine 6:55
6 Used To Love Her 3:55
7 My Michelle 5:31
8 Rocket Queen 6:45
9 Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door 5:38
10 Welcome To The Jungle 8:33
11 You’re Crazy 3:51
12 Blues Jam 7:28
13 Nightrain 4:48
14 Patience 6:49
15 Mama Kin 3:55