Hollywood Rose

Predecessor to Guns N Roses

Originally formed under the name AXL in 1983 by Chris Weber, Izzy Stradlin, and Axl Rose, they later switched to Rose around Christmas 1983 and added Johnny Kreis on drums and a bassist (unknown if it's Rick Mars, as he still played in Pyrrhus around late 1983). Around April 1984, after finding another band with the same name, they switched to Hollywood Rose. Aside from Axl, Chris, and Izzy, Johnny was their only consistent member. They had a few different bass players; Andre Toxx, Rick Mars, Steve Darrow, and a guy named Snake that filled in a gig. At one point they were a four-piece band with Izzy and Chris swapping the bass between each other in the studio. This is the way they recorded the 9 demos in January 1984, 5 of these demos have been officially released. When opening for Stryper at the Music Machine in May 1984, Chris accidentally hit Axl with the headstock of his guitar, they got into an argument and Hollywood Rose disbanded. A month later, Axl brought in Slash (3) to the group to pick up the guitar duties. When Slash joined he brought with him Steven Adler and a complete lineup change was made. (1983) - AXL Axl Rose - Lead vocals Izzy Stradlin - Guitar Chris Weber - Guitar unknown if they had a drummer or bassist at this point. (1984) - Rose Axl Rose - Lead vocals Izzy Stradlin - Guitar Chris Weber - Guitar Johnny Kreis - Drums Various bass players including Rick Mars, Andre Toxx, DJ, and Snake. (Circa April 1984) - Hollywood Rose Axl Rose - Lead vocals Izzy Stradlin - Guitar Chris Weber - Guitar Johnny Kreis - Drums Various bass players including Rick Mars, Andre Toxx, DJ, and Snake. (June 1984) - The New Hollywood Rose Axl Rose - Vocals Slash - Guitar Steven Adler - Drums Steve Darrow - Bass Izzy Stradlin - Guitar (tension between bandmembers cause Izzy to leave and join London (6) a week later) When this lineup broke up Slash would audition for Poison (3) and play in Black Sheep (7) while Axl sang in L.A. Guns before forming Guns N' Roses with Izzy Stradlin, Tracii Guns, Ole Beich, and Rob Gardner (6).