Duff McKagan made his bones playing the punk scene in his native Seattle, Washington, before moving to Los Angeles and rocketing to global superstardom as bassist for Guns N’ Roses. McKagan was one of the band’s key writers and his distinctive, stepped-down, melodic basslines added to the band’s unique sound which helped debut album Appetite for Destruction shift more than 30 million copies.
Notorious for their off-stage antics, the Guns N’ Roses lifestyle took its toll on McKagan who’s pancreas exploded shortly after their four-year, 194-show Use Your Illusion Tour. The original GN’R line-up broke up soon after and McKagan has been sober ever since. Before the band would eventually reunite in 2016, Duff McKagan would form bands Velvet Revolver and Loaded amongst others. He’s been a collaborator with the late Mark Lanegan, Ozzy Osborne, Alice in Chains and band leader for Iggy Pop.
McKagan’s recent solo album Tenderness brought out a more stripped down, mature sound as he collaborated with musician and record producer Shooter Jennings. The album’s lead single ‘Chip Away’ was championed in a rare interview from Bob Dylan and has been the start of a prolific period for McKagan.
McKagan is touring the UK in support of latest album, Lighthouse, and its arguably his best solo outing to date. The album sees renions with Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash and a cameo from Iggy Pop. Stand out tracks include ‘I Just Don’t Know’, ‘Fallen Ones’ and ‘Holy Water’.
Catch him in Manchester this autumn at The Academy.
