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Guns N' Roses at 40
Celebrate four exhilarating and rebellious decades of Guns N’ Roses with this lushly illustrated journey through the band’s biggest moments.
Formed on Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip in 1985, Guns N’ Roses worked their way up from the club scene in less than three years to become a best-selling recording act and a top tour draw. Along the way, there was no shortage of controversy to accompany the accolades. In Guns N’ Roses at 40, prolific rock biographer Martin Popoff curates 40 key touchstones in GN’R’s career, charting their formation and early history, key concert appearances, groundbreaking releases, notable collaborations, business challenges, personal difficulties, band quarrels, and more. This beautifully produced tribute
Stunning photography, both on and off the stageImages of band memorabiliaGuns N’ Roses timelineComplete studio discography
Popoff covers it
A history of the band’s scruffy early days on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip club sceneBackgrounds of founding members Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven AdlerRundowns of the key studio albums and the processes behind themAnalyses of the infamous incidents and controversies that seemed to follow the bandThe departures (and sometimes the returns) of key membersFirst-person interviews with bassists Duff McKagan and Tommy Stinson
In examining 40 key pivot points in GN’R’s now-forty-year history, Guns N’ Roses at 40 provides a concise documentary-like view of the band that as much as any other helped drive a spike through the heart of hair metal. Combine this unique perspective with a gorgeous package and you have an indispensable addition to the collection of every fan.
Formed on Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip in 1985, Guns N’ Roses worked their way up from the club scene in less than three years to become a best-selling recording act and a top tour draw. Along the way, there was no shortage of controversy to accompany the accolades. In Guns N’ Roses at 40, prolific rock biographer Martin Popoff curates 40 key touchstones in GN’R’s career, charting their formation and early history, key concert appearances, groundbreaking releases, notable collaborations, business challenges, personal difficulties, band quarrels, and more. This beautifully produced tribute
Stunning photography, both on and off the stageImages of band memorabiliaGuns N’ Roses timelineComplete studio discography
Popoff covers it
A history of the band’s scruffy early days on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip club sceneBackgrounds of founding members Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, and Steven AdlerRundowns of the key studio albums and the processes behind themAnalyses of the infamous incidents and controversies that seemed to follow the bandThe departures (and sometimes the returns) of key membersFirst-person interviews with bassists Duff McKagan and Tommy Stinson
In examining 40 key pivot points in GN’R’s now-forty-year history, Guns N’ Roses at 40 provides a concise documentary-like view of the band that as much as any other helped drive a spike through the heart of hair metal. Combine this unique perspective with a gorgeous package and you have an indispensable addition to the collection of every fan.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Martin Popoff
224 books247 followersAt approximately 7900 (with over 7000 appearing in his books), Martin has unofficially written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting. He was Editor-In-Chief of the now retired Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Canada’s foremost metal publication for 14 years, and has also contributed to Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, Record Collector, bravewords.com, lollipop.com and hardradio.com, with many record label band bios and liner notes to his credit as well. Additionally, Martin has been a regular contractor to Banger Films, having worked for two years as researcher on the award-winning documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, on the writing and research team for the 11-episode Metal Evolution and on the ten-episode Rock Icons, both for VH1 Classic. Additionally, Martin is the writer of the original metal genre chart used in Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey and throughout the Metal Evolution episodes. Martin currently resides in Toronto and can be reached through martinp@inforamp.net or www.martinpopoff.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 22, 2025
As someone who obsessively follows Guns N’ Roses and can’t get enough information on them, I’m always excited when a new book on the band is released. This is more of a coffee-table book, but what makes it stand apart is Martin Popoff’s writing style. He’s diligent about facts and history, he’s funny, and he knows how to break down albums and songs in a way that is highly entertaining and informative.
2025 is the 40th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses. It’s also my 40th birthday! Needless to say, this book was special to me. He makes sure to hit all of the high points of the band. He breaks down their songs, the impact the band had, and the legacy of their music.
This book was an absolute home run for me! If you love GNR and its history, you owe it to yourself to check out this book. It’s a great collector’s item with fantastic photos, a year-by-year breakdown of the book, and fantastic writing. I LOVED this book!
2025 is the 40th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses. It’s also my 40th birthday! Needless to say, this book was special to me. He makes sure to hit all of the high points of the band. He breaks down their songs, the impact the band had, and the legacy of their music.
This book was an absolute home run for me! If you love GNR and its history, you owe it to yourself to check out this book. It’s a great collector’s item with fantastic photos, a year-by-year breakdown of the book, and fantastic writing. I LOVED this book!
July 3, 2025
You know GnR. If you're of a certain age and type you rocked to them.
This book brings the memories back as you rock the grandkids on your knee. It's just stuffed with pictures! Set it your coffee table and tell the kids what you listened to and maybe even turn the cd up and play a little for them.
What an awesome book!
This book brings the memories back as you rock the grandkids on your knee. It's just stuffed with pictures! Set it your coffee table and tell the kids what you listened to and maybe even turn the cd up and play a little for them.
What an awesome book!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews