By james art Guns N’ Roses played their first show since the departure of Slash and Duff McKagan in January 2001, treating fans to a 20-song set (plus two guitar solos) and a revamped line-up.
The performance was Axl Rose’s first without Slash and McKagan since 1985. Slash left the band in ’96 and McKagan the following year, so Rose kept a fairly low profile for the rest of the decade while experimenting with other musicians to continue the band’s legacy. with
His first show without his former bandmates took place on January 1, 2001 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. Before the night, Guns N’ Roses hadn’t played a show at all since July 1993, which was years before Slash and McKagan even left.
When Rose took the stage on New Year’s Day 2001, he was joined by guitarists Paul “Huge” Tobias, Buckethead and Robin Fink, as well as bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Brian Mantia and backing keyboardist Chris Pittman [via Setlist.fm].
READ MORE: All 23 musicians who played in Guns N’ Roses
This was the first time that several songs were played, including the one-off single “Oh My God”, which was released in 1999. The end of days soundtrack.
some Chinese democracy tracks also debuted tonight, including the title track, “Riad N’ the Bedouins,” and “Absurd,” a record that didn’t come out until 2021 when Slash and McKagan were back in the band.
Check out the full setlist below, as well as some videos from the night below.
Guns N’ Roses List – January 1, 2001 [via Setlist.fm]
1. “Welcome to the Jungle”
2. “It’s that easy”
3. “Mr. Brownstone”
4. “Live and Let Die”
5. “Oh My God” (Live Debut)
6. “My Michelle” (first aired on March 30, 1993)
7. “Think About You” (first time since May 10, 1987)
8. “You Can Be Mine”
9. “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
10. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
11. “November Rain”
12. “Out Ta Get Me” (first time since September 17, 1992)
13. “Rocket Queen” (first time since March 28, 1993)
14. “Riad N’ the Bedouins” (Live Debut)
15. “Chinese Democracy” (Live Debut)
16. Buckethead Guitar Solo
17. “Patience”
18. “Street of Dreams” (aka “The Blues”, live debut)
19. “Night Train”
encore:
20. Buckethead Guitar Solo
21. “Absurd” (aka “Silkworms”, live debut)
22. “Paradise City”
Guns N’ Roses – “Oh My God” Live (2001)
Guns N’ Roses – ‘Riad N’ the Bedouins’ Live (2001)
Every song played by Guns N’ Roses since they reunited in 2016
Every song Guns N’ Roses have performed since their reunion.
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner