Bob Dylan Told Guns N’ Roses to Cover His Song To Make Big Money
Bob Dylan Told Guns N’ Roses to Cover His Song To Make Big Money
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, for a movie called, “Billy the Kid,” became a worldwide hit, reaching the Top 10 in several countries. Ranked number 190 in 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine, in their 500 Greatest Hits of All Time.
Guns N’ Roses covered the song for their “Use Your Illusions II” album in 1991. Now, the fun part on how Guns came around to covering the Bob Dylan classic.
Bob needed the money. Dylan had requested that Guns N’ Roses cover his song for the money it would bring him. This didn’t mean he approved of the version Guns N’ Roses recorded. He didn’t care. Bob Dylan likes Slash as a guitar player but thought their version lacked something. It makes you wonder what Paul McCartney thinks of the Guns version of, “Live and Let Die.” I like both versions of the song.
As for Bob Dylan? He is still known as, “Lucky,” in the Traveling Wilbury’s. The greatest super group ever made.
Guns & Roses’ 1991 album Use Your Illusion II, Released as the second single from the album, reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In Ireland, reached No. 1, and it became Guns N’ Roses’ third number-one single as well as their ninth consecutive top-five hit. Bob Dylan’s original version made it to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Before the Guns & Roses version, Eric Clapton‘s version had a real Bob Marley feel and was released in the 80s. To date, there are 233 versions of the song recorded. Check out the full list of covers by clicking this link:
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