The Highest-Selling Guns N’ Roses Albums Today In 2023
Listening to rock music since the years when it started to become popular is like therapy for some. In the genre, there are such great bands to make life better. Guns N’ Roses is one of those acts that make rock music worth listening to worldwide. So, how many albums has Guns N’ Roses sold until today in 2023? Let’s learn it.
Guns N’ Roses has had a significant impact on the music industry. Formed in Los Angeles in 1985, they were one of the most popular bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and their success paved the way for other hard rock and heavy metal bands. They also pushed rock music’s boundaries by incorporating punk, blues, and classical music elements into their songs.
The band’s current lineup included Axl Rose on vocals, Slash on lead guitar, Duff McKagan on bass, Frank Ferrer on drums, Dizzy Reed on keyboards, Richard Fortus on guitars, and Melissa Reese on synthesizers. Including Melissa‘s joining in 2016, the band has yet to go through any lineup changes following Slash and Duff McKagan joining the band in 2016 after splitting up in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
They are known for their hard rock sound and rebellious attitude. Their music is characterized by powerful guitar riffs, fast-paced drums, and Axl Rose‘s distinctive vocals. Their music has had a lasting impact on the music industry and continues to be celebrated by fans all over the world. Some of their most popular songs include Sweet Child O’ Mine, Welcome to the Jungle, and Paradise City. These songs have become iconic in the world of rock music and are still played on the radio today.
So, how many albums has Guns N’ Roses sold until today in 2023? As of February 2023, Guns N’ Roses has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, with only 45 million in the United States.
The Highest-Selling Guns N’ Roses Albums Until 2023
#7. Guns N’ Roses Live Era 87-93
Number of Sales: 1.3 Million
Live Era ’87-’93 is the first live album released by the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. It was released on November 23, 1999, as two separate disks. Both discs featured eleven songs and songs from albums Appetite For Destruction, Use Your Illusion I, Use Your Illusion II, and G N’ R Lies, as well as including Black Sabbath cover, It’s Alright.
Guns N’ Roses received 3x Platinum certifications with over 1.3 million sales with the album. In addition, it was ranked number 45 on the US Billboard Top 200 Album chart that year.
#6. Chinese Democracy
Number of Sales: 2.3 Million
Guns N’ Roses‘ Chinese Democracy album is a highly controversial release in the band’s discography. It was released in 2008, after more than a decade of recording and production delays, and marked the first new album from the band since “The Spaghetti Incident?” in 1993.
It was the first album to feature lead vocalist Axl Rose as the sole remaining original member of the band. The lineup completely differed from the classic Guns N’ Roses lineup that produced their iconic albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
However, the album is known for its complex and layered production, incorporating elements of industrial rock and electronic music. It received mixed reviews from critics and fans, with some praising its ambition and experimentation while others criticized it for straying too far from the classic Guns N’ Roses sound.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from fans, Chinese Democracy was a commercial success. The album was number three on the US Billboard 200 chart. The band sold 2.3 million copies worldwide. So, Chinese Democracy is the sixth highest-selling Guns N’ Roses album until 2023.
#5. The Spaghetti Incident?
Number of Sales: 5.3 Million
The Spaghetti Incident? is the fifth studio album of Roses. The band released the album on November 23, 1993, via Geffen Records. The album consists entirely of cover versions of songs by various punk rock and glam rock bands from the 1970s and 1980s.
The covers had been performed during the band’s live shows, so the recording process was relatively quick compared to the band’s previous albums. As for the album’s name, the band says it refers to an incident that occurred during their early days when they were forced to eat spaghetti for several days due to a lack of funds.
The album got mixed reviews from fans and critics, just like Chinese Democracy. While there were some praised their energy on cover songs, some criticized them for being a collection of uninspired and poorly produced covers. However, the album still managed to debut at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart. It is the fifth highest-selling Guns N’ Roses album until 2023.
#4. G N’ R Lies
Number of Sales: 6.1 Million
The album is the second studio album released by the band on November 29, 1988. It was their second release in thee years, so it was a quick process, as they took the album’s first four tracks on the 1986-released EP, Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide.
The album was a commercial success in the United States, receiving 5x Platinum after selling over 5 million copies in the country. In total, it has 6.1 million sales, which makes it the fourth highest-selling Guns N’ Roses album.
#3. Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits
Number of Sales: 11.7 Million
Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the band, released on March 23, 2004. The album features 14 of Guns N’ Roses‘ most popular and well-known songs, spanning from their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, to their then-most recent album, Use Your Illusion I & II.
The album includes classic hits such as Sweet Child O’ Mine, Welcome to the Jungle, and November Rain, as well as lesser-known tracks like You Could Be Mine and Patience. The album also features a cover of the Rolling Stones’ song Sympathy for the Devil, which was recorded for the movie Interview with the Vampire.
Guns N’ Roses Greatest Hits has been a commercial success, with the album reaching number three on the US Billboard 200 chart. It has been certified 5x Platinum by RIAA, shipping over 5 million copies in the United States. The album has also been a popular choice for fans who want a quick introduction to the band’s music or as a way to revisit their favorite hits.
So, the album is considered the fourth highest-selling Guns N’ Roses album of all time, with 11.7 million sales.
#2. Use Your Illusion I & II
Number of Sales: 30.6 Million
Use Your Illusion I & II is a double album released by Guns N’ Roses on September 17, 1991. The albums were released simultaneously and marked a departure from the band’s earlier sound, incorporating elements of blues, classical music, and country.
The albums feature a total of 30 songs, including hit singles such as November Rain, Don’t Cry, and You Could Be Mine. It also received positive reviews from critics, praising the band’s musicianship and songwriting abilities.
Furthermore, Use Your Illusion I & II also marked the end of the band’s original lineup, as rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin left the band shortly after the albums were released. Despite this, the albums remain a significant part of the band’s discography and are considered some of the band’s most important and influential works.
Both Use Your Illusion I & II albums received 7x Platinum certifications by RIAA, separately, selling over 30.6 million copies in total. While the first edition of the album sold 685,000 copies in its first week, the second sold 770,000 in its first week. Also, the albums were number one and number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, with the first edition leading the list.
#1. Guns n’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
number of sales: 31.3 million
Appetite for Destruction is the debut studio album of Guns N’ Roses, released on July 21, 1987. The album features a mix of hard rock, heavy metal, and punk rock and is widely considered to be one of the greatest debut albums of all time.
The album is notable for its raw and gritty sound, a departure from the polished production of many other rock albums at the time. The album also featured controversial cover art, which initially caused controversy but has since become iconic.
The album was initially met with mixed reviews from critics but quickly gained a following among fans and became a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was certified 48x Platinum in total and received Diamond certification by Music Canada.
So, it’s time to learn the highest-selling Guns N’ Roses album. As of February 2023, Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite For Destruction has sold 31.3 million worldwide, which means it is the band’s highest-selling album until 2023.
Appetite For Destruction track listing:
- Welcome to the Jungle
- It’s So Easy
- Nightrain
- Out Ta Get Me
- Mr. Brownstone
- Paradise City
- My Michelle
- Think About You
- Sweet Child o’ Mine
- You’re Crazy
- Anything Goes
- Rocket Queen
(Source: BestSellingAlbums)
