Axl Rose Biography: W. Axl Rose born William Bruce Rose Jr. on February 6, 1962 is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist for the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. Since the band’s formation in 1985, he has been its only consistent member. Rose is celebrated for his distinctive, powerful, and wide vocal range and has been recognized by media outlets like Rolling Stone, NME, and Billboard as one of the greatest singers of all time. Born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, Rose relocated to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1980s.
Axl Rose Biography
Born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, W. Axl Rose perfectly embodies the wild and decadent spirit of late 1980s rock. Known for his brash attitude and controversial behavior, Rose endured a deeply troubled childhood—abused by his father at age two and later beaten by his stepfather. Axl escaped Indiana on a Greyhound bus bound for Los Angeles, the epicenter of rebellious rock culture. There, he became involved in the local hard rock scene, joining several bands such as Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns. In 1985, he co-founded Guns N’ Roses, achieving major success and acclaim during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Axl Rose Biography 2025 Details
| Birth name | William Bruce Rose Jr. |
|---|---|
| Also known as |
|
| Born | February 6, 1962 Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Member of |
|
| Formerly of |
|
| Spouse |
Erin Everly
(m. 1990; ann. 1991)
|
| Category | Singers Bio |
See More:
About Axl Rose
Axl Rose is an American singer and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, and has been the band’s sole constant member since its inception in 1985.
Axl Rose Personal Life
After auditioning for numerous punk bands—often rejected because his voice closely resembled Robert Plant’s—he joined the influential band L.A. Guns before eventually forming Guns N’ Roses. Following the massive success of their debut album Appetite for Destruction, the band embarked on huge stadium tours, and Axl quickly became a celebrated rock icon and sex symbol. However, internal conflicts and heavy drug use among the members eventually led to Guns N’ Roses’ decline, until their more recent resurgence.
Axl Rose Wiki
- Born: 6 February 1962 (age 63 years), Lafayette, Indiana, United States
- Music groups: Guns N’ Roses (Since 1985), L.A. Guns (1984 – 1984)
- Spouse: Erin Everly (m. 1990–1991)
- Full name: William Bruce Rose, Jr.
- Height: 1.75 m
- Parents: William Bruce Rose, Sharon E. Rose
Early Life
Born William Bruce Rose Jr. in Lafayette, Indiana, Axl had a tumultuous upbringing. His mother, Sharon, was just 16 when he was born, and his father, William Sr., was 20. After the couple separated, Rose’s father allegedly abducted and abused him before disappearing. His mother later remarried Stephen L. Bailey, and Axl was raised under the name William Bruce Bailey, believing Stephen was his biological father until he was 17. His real father was murdered in 1984.
Rose was raised in a strict Pentecostal household, attending church multiple times a week and even teaching Sunday school. He began singing in the church choir at age five and later participated in his high school chorus and learned piano. He formed a band with his friends, including future Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin. After discovering his true parentage, Rose began using the name W. Rose and had frequent run-ins with the law, being arrested over 20 times. In 1982, facing possible habitual offender charges, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
Axl Rose at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Rock Stars
- Net Worth: $200 Million
- Birthdate: February 6, 1962 (63 years old)
- Birthplace: Lafayette, Indiana
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.75 m)
- Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Guitarist, Film and Record Producer
- Nationality: American
Early Bands and Formation of Guns N’ Roses
In L.A., Rose became active in the local rock scene and joined several bands, including Rapidfire, Hollywood Rose, and L.A. Guns. He worked various jobs, including participating in a UCLA cigarette study for $8 an hour. Hollywood Rose included Slash and Steven Adler at times, while L.A. Guns was started by Tracii Guns. Rose merged Hollywood Rose with L.A. Guns, forming Guns N’ Roses. The original lineup quickly changed, with Slash, Steven Adler, and Duff McKagan replacing Tracii Guns, Rob Gardner, and Ole Beich. This new lineup defined the band’s iconic sound.
The band made a name for itself playing venues like The Troubadour and The Roxy. Their gritty, raw style contrasted with the polished glam metal of the era. They self-released their debut EP, Live ?!@ Like a Suicide*, in 1985 through a Geffen-created indie label, Uzi Suicide, before signing with Geffen Records in 1986.
Guns N’ Roses and Commercial Success
Guns N’ Roses dominated the late ’80s and early ’90s rock scene. Appetite for Destruction remains the top-selling debut album in U.S. history, and the Use Your Illusion albums added further commercial success. In total, the band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
Though Rose became more reclusive in the late 1990s, he remained the band’s sole constant member. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but chose not to attend. He briefly joined AC/DC as lead singer in 2016, replacing Brian Johnson on tour. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Rose earned $20 million, primarily from touring. The Not In This Lifetime tour alone grossed over $430 million globally.
Personal Life
Despite a wild image, Rose was never deeply involved in drug use. However, in 1986, he overdosed on painkillers during a stressful period—a moment that inspired the song “Coma.” In the early ’90s, he adopted alternative beliefs such as homeopathy and past life regression therapy. During the making of Chinese Democracy, he even hired a psychic to “read auras” of potential employees.
Rose dated model Erin Everly in the late ’80s and married her briefly in 1990. Their relationship ended after allegations of abuse, leading to an annulment and an out-of-court settlement. He later had a high-profile relationship with supermodel Stephanie Seymour, which also ended abruptly. Rumors have also linked him to singer Lana Del Rey.
Real Estate
Rose owns a Malibu home he purchased in 1992 for $3.6 million. In 2008, he helped protect neighbors’ homes during a wildfire, using a hose to wet down nearby properties and opening gates for firefighters.
What Is Axl Rose’s Net Worth 2025?
Axl Rose is a renowned American musician and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $200 million. He gained fame as the frontman and lyricist for the legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1985. Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987), became a massive success with hits like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Welcome to the Jungle,” selling over 30 million copies globally and becoming one of the best-selling debut albums in history. Rose became known for his powerful voice, intense performances, and unpredictable behavior, which made him a standout figure in rock music. The ambitious double album release, Use Your Illusion I & II (1991), showcased the band’s evolving style and sold 35 million copies combined.
FAQs
How did Axl Rose come up with his stage name?
Axl Rose adopted his stage name from one of his early bands, AXL. Before signing with Geffen Records in 1986, he legally changed his name to W. Axl Rose, combining his stage identity with his original surname.
Was Axl Rose ever involved with AC/DC?
Yes, in 2016, Axl Rose joined AC/DC as their lead vocalist on tour, stepping in for Brian Johnson, who had to step back due to hearing issues. Rose’s performances were well-received and marked a rare crossover between two iconic rock bands.
Why did Axl Rose decline to attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction?
Axl Rose declined to attend Guns N’ Roses’ 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction due to ongoing personal and professional conflicts with former bandmates. He released a public letter explaining his decision, expressing a desire to avoid creating tension.
What inspired the Guns N’ Roses song “Coma”?
The song “Coma” was inspired by Axl Rose’s own experience with a drug overdose in 1986. He intentionally took painkillers during a time of intense stress, an incident that became the emotional core of the track.
Did Axl Rose have any unusual recording habits?
Yes, during the making of Chinese Democracy, Rose hired a personal psychic to evaluate the auras of prospective employees based on their photographs. This reflected his deep belief in homeopathy and alternative spiritual practices.
How did Axl Rose contribute during the 2008 Malibu fire?
During a 2008 wildfire in Malibu, Axl Rose took quick action to protect nearby homes. He broke open a neighbor’s gate, hosed down the property, and helped firefighters gain access—potentially saving multiple houses in the process.