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:
Bob Dylan's dog crapped on Katherine Hepburn’s Flowers and other Dylan stories.
Happy Birthday, Bob!
It’s Bob Dylan’s birthday today, May 24th.
Biography.com documents Bob Dylan as signing his first recording contract in 1961. He is known as one of the most influential songwriters to document both social and cultural issues.
Born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941, young Bob was heavily influenced by Elvis, Jerry Lewis and Little Richard. While attending the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, he was beginning to take interest in folk singing and playing both folk and country songs at local cafes.
In 1960, Bob dropped out of college and moved to New York. While in New York he frequently visited his idol, Woodly Gutherie, while Woody was in the hospital. Bob became a regular of folk clubs and coffeehouses. In 1961 after an impressive review from the New York Times, Dylan signed a record contract with Columbia Records.
The rest is history, Bob Dylan would become a prolific figure both in songwriting and a serious force in the social and cultural influence of the 60s and beyond.
Here are some of the funny or odd stories about Bob Dylan per vulture.com:
Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for over 29 years with 26 at WRIF and 3 years as a morning show host at Z-Rock.
When he’s not out on the streets, you can find him in his game room, where he collects jukeboxes and classic pinball machines. Screamin also devotes time doing local charities with his, "Screamin Angels"; and for 15 years with Rock 4 Tots charity.
“CHIT” is his local cover band for 10 years all over the Motor City in local bars and has graced the main stage at local festivals like Arts, Beats & Eats warming up for national acts like Cheap Trick, Guess Who & even Salt & Peppa. Screamin’ is the lead singer and also plays cowbell & lead triangle
