What If Geffen Had Moved On From “Appetite for Destruction”?

Did you know that Appetite for Destruction—the album that gave us “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Paradise City,” and “Welcome to the Jungle”—was nearly abandoned by Geffen Records after it sold a mere 200,000 copies?
The record label, known for launching some of the biggest artists in the world, was ready to move on to the band’s next project, believing their daring and almost obscene debut had run its course.
What if they had? What if the world never heard the full potential of Guns N’ Roses’ debut?
It’s a chilling “what if” for rock fans, and a reminder that the road to greatness is often fraught with near misses.
This story isn’t just about resilience. It’s also about the pivotal role of persistence, the gamble taken by Tom Zutant and those others who believed in the music, and how Appetite for Destruction ultimately became one of the most iconic albums in rock history.
The Early Struggles of Appetite for Destruction
In 1987, when Appetite for Destruction was released, Guns N’ Roses didn’t fit the mold of popular rock bands at the time.
The charts were ruled by polished hair-metal acts like Poison and Bon Jovi, while Guns N’ Roses brought a darker, edgier sound and a volatile energy.
That rawness made them compelling, but it also made them a hard sell.
Early reviews were mixed, radio stations ignored their singles, and MTV didn’t initially want to touch their videos.
Despite its eventual legendary status, the album had a rocky start, selling just 200,000 copies in its first six months.
For a band with the kind of buzz Guns N’ Roses had generated in Los Angeles, these numbers were underwhelming.
Frustrated with the slow sales, executives at Geffen Records began pressuring the band to move on to their next album.
They believed Appetite had run its course and wasn’t going to deliver the commercial success they’d hoped for.
Oh! The Cover! Hide the Children and the Elderly!
Record stores objected to the original album cover of Appetite for Destruction, due to its controversial artwork.

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Designed by artist Robert Williams, it depicted a surreal and violent scene featuring a robot attacker and a woman who appeared to have been assaulted.
The graphic and provocative nature of the artwork caused significant backlash, with many record stores refusing to stock the album unless the cover was changed.
As a result of the objections, Geffen Records replaced the cover with the now-iconic image of a Celtic cross featuring skulls representing the band members, designed by Billy White Jr.
The original artwork was later included in the album’s inner sleeve, but the switch to a less controversial cover helped the album gain broader acceptance.
How Appetite for Destruction Was Saved
Enter Tom Zutaut, the A&R executive at Geffen who discovered Guns N’ Roses.
Zutaut had an ear for groundbreaking talent, having apprenticed under legendary producers like Roy Thomas Baker (Queen) and Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick.
He wasn’t just an industry professional in a golf shirt; he was hands-on and deeply invested in his artists.
Zutaut saw the potential in Appetite for Destruction and fought hard against Geffen’s plans to move on.
Zutaut pushed for another single to be released and advocated for more marketing support.
Initially, the first single from the album was “It’s So Easy/Mr Brownstone.” Not exactly dance hall songs.
No one would be judging this single on American Bandstand and say – “I love the beat, Dick. But the lyrics make me want to rage!”
Then came “Welcome to the Jungle,” and when its video finally aired on MTV, everything changed.
No – that’s what everyone says. Just like the millions who claimed they were at Woodstock.
“Welcome to the Jungle” was not a hit when it was first released. Like much of Appetite for Destruction, the song initially struggled to gain traction.
When Geffen Records released the single in September 1987, it failed to make an immediate impact.
Radio stations were hesitant to play the song due to its aggressive sound which contrasted sharply with the polished glam rock dominating the airwaves at the time.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” had a broader appeal. It was released nearly a year after Appetite hit record shelves.
Its melodic guitar intro, heartfelt lyrics inspired by Axl Rose’s then-girlfriend Erin Everly, and more radio-friendly vibe made it an instant classic.
The song quickly gained heavy radio airplay, charted well internationally, and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States—the band’s only song to top that chart.
This success fundamentally changed the trajectory of both Appetite for Destruction and Guns N’ Roses.
It brought widespread attention to the band, opening the floodgates for follow-up “Paradise City,” to find larger audiences.
The momentum from “Sweet Child O’ Mine” also pushed Appetite for Destruction to the top of the Billboard 200, solidifying its place as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
In essence, while “Welcome to the Jungle” laid some groundwork and eventually became a classic, it was “Sweet Child O’ Mine” that was the genuine hit that changed everything.
The band had even played a double bill at The Ritz in NYC with then fellow non-chart toppers Great White. That might have been the start of something as it aired on MTV in October 1987.
Had Geffen Records moved on too soon, the music world might never have seen the full impact of Guns N’ Roses, relegated to the status of “what could have been.”
The Cultural Impact of Appetite for Destruction
The eventual success of Appetite for Destruction redefined rock music in the late 1980s.
Guns N’ Roses weren’t just another band – they became the voice of a generation disillusioned with the polished glam-rock image dominating the scene. Their music was dirty and rebellious in a way that hadn’t been heard in years.
The success of the album also influenced the industry’s approach to rock bands. It reminded executives that sometimes, sticking with an artist and giving them room to grow can pay off exponentially.
In the 70s, bands like Kiss and Ted Nugent hit the road. Recorded another album. Hoit the road again. Year after year.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Eventually, Guns N’ Roses paved the way for grunge and alternative acts by proving that audiences were hungry for authenticity over perfection.
What We Can Learn From This “What If”
The story of Appetite for Destruction is a reminder that success often takes time.
Had Geffen Records fully given up on the album after its slow start, one of the greatest rock albums of all time might have been forgotten.
Without Zutaut’s belief in the band and his refusal to abandon Appetite for Destruction, the album—and perhaps the band’s legacy—might never have reached its full potential.
By the way, Zutant looks nothing like Pete Davidson, who portrayed him in The Dirt.
So, the next time you hear the iconic opening riff of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” or blast “Paradise City” on a road trip, remember the hurdles this album overcame.
It’s more than just a record; it’s a symbol of the willingness to fight for something great.
Sources:
• Greene, Andy. “Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction: How It Became a Sleeper Hit.” Rolling Stone, 2022.
• “The Making of Appetite for Destruction.” Classic Rock Magazine, 2021.
• Cross, Charles R. Heavier Than Heaven. Hachette Books, 2002.
• Zutaut, Tom. Interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, 2021.
• Guitar.com – “We’re walking away from it”: How Appetite For Destruction was nearly dropped by Geffen following poor commercial performance” – 2024