Even megastars have their own musical favourites and, quite intriguingly, Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose has shared his.
The 63-year-old rock icon, who’s been an unwavering presence in the band since they burst onto the music scene in 1985, is renowned for his remarkable voice, earning accolades from top music magazines including Rolling Stone, NME and Billboard as one of music’s finest vocalists.
Yet, despite being a symbol of rock music himself, Rose’s personal playlist might come as a bit unexpected to fans. On platforms like Quora, followers of the rock legend have speculated on his artistic inspirations.
Remarkably, Rose disclosed his favourite albums, demonstrating his eclectic taste in an intimate discussion with Rolling Stone. He spoke fondly of his musical journeys, particularly highlighting his fascination with Queen, saying: “Whenever their newest record would come out and have all these other kinds of music on it, at first I’d only like this song or that song. But after a period of time listening to it, it would open my mind up to so many different styles.”
Rose expressed gratitude towards the influences that shaped his artistic vision, remarking: “I really appreciate them for that. That’s something I’ve always wanted to be able to achieve. It’s important to show people all forms of music, basically try to give people a broader point of view.”
When it comes to his top picks, three albums hold a special place in his heart. Here are the records he holds dear.
Something/Anything? – Todd Rundgren
Something/Anything? is the third studio album by American musician Todd Rundgren, and it was released in February 1972. This record marked Rundgren’s first solo venture, following two albums credited to the semi-group project, Runt.
The album is divided into four distinct sections, each focusing on a different musical style. The first three parts were recorded in-studio with Rundgren single-handedly playing all instruments, providing all vocals and producing the record.
Queen II – Queen
Queen II is the second studio album by the legendary British rock band Queen, released in 1974. It stands out for being the band’s first album to blend their distinctive sound of multi-layered overdubs, vocal harmonies and diverse musical styles.
Often dubbed as the “heaviest Queen album”, it marked the conclusion of the band’s initial career phase. The tracks combine a robust rock sound with art rock and progressive rock elements, earning it praise from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “a pillar of grandiose, assaultive hard rock”.
Nevermind the B***ocks – Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols’ seminal album, Never Mind the B***ocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, often abbreviated to Never Mind the B***ocks, remains the band’s sole studio release. It hit the shelves in 1977, but the band’s tumultuous internal dynamics led to a change in the lineup during the recording process.
Glen Matlock, the original bass guitarist, exited the band during this period, despite being credited as a co-writer on all but two tracks. His contribution to the album was limited to playing bass and providing backing vocals on the iconic song “Anarchy in the U.K.”
The band pressed on, recruiting Sid Vicious as their new bassist. By the time the album was released, the Sex Pistols had already attracted controversy, having been caught swearing on live television and getting dropped by two record labels.
In certain parts of Britain, they were even barred from performing live. Despite the chaos surrounding the band, many consider Never Mind the B***ocks to be one of the greatest albums ever produced.