Jump to content

Hollywood Rose

From Alfawiki
Hollywood Rose
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedJune 1983; 43 years ago (1983-06)
FounderAxl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Chris Weber
Defunct1984
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, demos

Hollywood Rose was a glam metal band from the United States, established in June 1983, primarily recognized as a forerunner to Guns N' Roses. The group was initiated by Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, and Chris Weber, with additional live performers such as Rick Marrs, Andre Troxx, Daniel "DJ" Nicolson, Johnny Kreis, and Steve Darrow joining the lineup. In January 1984, Rose, Stradlin, Weber, Kreis, and Nicolson recorded a demo consisting of five tracks. Following multiple personnel shifts—where Weber, Kreis, and Nicolson were succeeded by Slash and Steven Adler (both formerly of Road Crew)—and after Stradlin exited the band, Hollywood Rose dissolved later that year.

The band briefly came together once more for a New Year's Eve performance on 1 January 1985 featuring Rose, Stradlin, Darrow, alongside ex-L.A. Guns drummer Rob Gardner. For this event, L.A. Guns founder Tracii Guns took over Weber's role. In March 1985, Hollywood Rose combined forces with L.A. Guns to create Guns N' Roses.

The initial five-song demo was officially released on 22 June 2004 under the title The Roots of Guns N' Roses. Numerous tracks originally by Hollywood Rose subsequently appeared on Guns N' Roses albums including Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide (1986), Appetite for Destruction (1987), Live from the Jungle (1987), and G N' R Lies (1988).

Formation (1983)

Guitarist Chris Weber encountered Lafayette native Izzy Stradlin in the parking area of the Rainbow Bar and Grill, introduced by Tracii Guns who was then leading the initial lineup of L.A. Guns. Weber and Stradlin began collaborating on songwriting and brought in Stradlin’s childhood friend and former Rapidfire vocalist Axl Rose, originally named Bill Rose. They initially called themselves AXL, with Bill adopting the stage name Axl.[1] Their earliest performances took place in North Hollywood before they changed their name first to Rose and ultimately settled on Hollywood Rose after learning that the name Rose was already claimed.[1]

Throughout their live appearances, the band cycled through several bassists—Rick Marrs, Andre Troxx, Daniel "DJ" Nicolson, Steve Darrow—and featured drummer Johnny Kreis, who remained one of the few steady members alongside Rose, Stradlin, and Weber.[2]

Lineup changes and formation of Guns N' Roses (1984–1985)

With financial support from Weber’s father, Hollywood Rose recorded a five-track demo in Hollywood during 1984.[3] After performing several shows, internal conflicts culminated when Weber accidentally struck Rose with his guitar’s headstock during a 1984 gig at the Music Machine. Subsequently, Rose dismissed Weber and brought in Slash, formerly of Road Crew. In response to these changes, Stradlin departed and joined London (heavy metal band).[4][5] Drummer Kreis was replaced by Steven Adler.[2] The band ultimately disbanded later that year following a final performance at The Troubadour (Los Angeles). Post-breakup, Rose briefly fronted L.A. Guns, while Slash auditioned for Poison (American band).[2]

On January 1, 1985, Hollywood Rose reunited with members Rose, Stradlin, Darrow plus L.A. Guns drummer Rob Gardner; Tracii Guns took over guitar duties as Weber had relocated to New York.[6][7][3]

In March 1985, Hollywood Rose merged with L.A. Guns to establish Guns N' Roses. The initial lineup consisted of Axl Rose, Tracii Guns, Izzy Stradlin, Ole Beich, and Rob Gardner. Within two months’ time, Beich, Guns, and Gardner were replaced by Duff McKagan, Slash (who had formerly been part of Hollywood Rose), and Steven Adler. This ensemble—Rose, Stradlin, McKagan, Slash, and Adler—is widely regarded as the "classic lineup."[3]

Several compositions originating from Hollywood Rose were incorporated into Guns N’ Roses releases: "Anything Goes" appeared on Appetite for Destruction, while "Reckless Life" and "Move to the City" featured on Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide and G N' R Lies, with "Shadow of Your Love" included on Live from the Jungle.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In 1998, Chris Weber initiated legal action against Axl Rose seeking co-writing credits for "Shadow of Your Love" and "Back Off Bitch" from Use Your Illusion I.[8]

The Origins of Guns N' Roses (2004)

In 2004, Chris Weber, who had established U.P.O. following his departure from the band, sold a demo containing five tracks recorded in 1984 to Cleopatra Records. The label launched the album on June 22 under the title The Roots of Guns N' Roses, which included the original recordings alongside remixes by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, supplemented with additional guitar layers from Tracii Guns and drum contributions by Fred Coury, previously of London and Cinderella, who briefly substituted for Steven Adler. The Japanese release featured a DVD containing footage of the band.

On June 21, Axl Rose initiated legal action against the album’s distribution by filing an injunction against Cleopatra Records, accusing them of trademark infringement, violation of rights, and unfair competition. Slash and ex-bassist Duff McKagan joined as co-plaintiffs. Nevertheless, on July 6, U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fees rejected their request for a preliminary injunction.

In 2012, Cleopatra re-released Dopesnake by Hollywood Roses—a tribute group—which had initially been issued in 2007 under a different label. Although it did not include any tracks from Guns N' Roses or Hollywood Rose, the album featured guest appearances from Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns as well as Guns N' Roses alumni Tracii Guns, Gilby Clarke, Chris Weber, and Teddy Zig Zag.

Last lineup

  • Jimmy Swan – lead vocals (1989–1990)
  • Chris Weber – lead guitar (1983–1984, 1989–1990)
  • Matt Beal – rhythm guitar (1989–1990)
  • Donny Brook – bass guitar (1989–1990)
  • "Captain" – drums (1989–1990)

Former members

  • Axl Rose – lead vocals (1983–1984, 1985)
  • Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1983–1984, 1985)
  • Johnny Kreis – drums (1983–1984)
  • Rick Marrs – bass guitar (1983)
  • Andre Troxx – bass guitar (1983)
  • Daniel "DJ" Nicolson – bass guitar (1984)
  • Steve Darrow – bass guitar (1984, 1985)
  • Slash – lead and rhythm guitar (1984)
  • Steven Adler – drums, backing vocals (1984)
  • Tracii Guns – lead guitar, backing vocals (1985)
  • Rob Gardner – drums, backing vocals (1985)

Compilation albums

See also

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth.net
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Slash
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AMG Bio
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named London AMG
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Slash 84
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named The Roots of Guns N' Roses
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blabbermouth GNR
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Hollywood_Rose&oldid=80305"