On This Day in 1988, Guns N’ Roses Started a Five-Week Run at No. 1 with Their Record-Setting Debut Album

On this day in 1988, Guns N’ Roses topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with their debut album, Appetite for Destruction. The album found its five-week home nearly a year after it debuted on the chart on August 29, 1987. Later, it would become the best-selling debut album of all time and would hold that record for decades.

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In retrospect, Appetite for Destruction captures Guns N’ Roses at the height of their powers. Tracks like “It’s So Easy,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Mr. Brownstone,” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” are rock classics today. However, in 1987, the album didn’t get much attention from anyone. The press, rock radio, and MTV largely ignored the band and their debut. Then, an executive from Geffen, the band’s label, convinced programmers at MTV to play the video for the LP’s lead single once a night for three nights. Soon, “Welcome to the Jungle” was the most-requested video on the network. This uptick in popularity convinced rock radio to pick up “Welcome to the Jungle” and the band’s future singles.

[RELATED: On This Day in 1987, Guns N’ Roses Released Their Record-Breaking Debut Album]

Additionally, Guns N’ Roses embarked on a massive tour a month after releasing their debut. Along with headlining dates, they opened for giants like Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, and Alice Cooper. They also played at the Monsters of Rock festival in the United Kingdom. Performing their high-energy sets in front of millions of rock fans helped drive sales of Appetite for Destruction.

Guns N’ Roses Set a Sales Record with Their Debut

Having their songs in heavy rotation on MTV and rock radio, along with their tour, turned things around for Guns N’ Roses. Appetite for Destruction seemed destined to flop upon its initial release. However, sales quickly picked up.

The album was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA before the first of its five non-consecutive weeks at No. 1. Before it left the top spot for the final time, it had earned two more Platinum certifications. Twenty years later, in 2008, the LP received its 18^th Platinum certification, making it the best-selling debut album in the United States. Gund N’ Roses held that record for a decade until they were overtaken by Cracked Rear View, the 21x Platinum-certified debut album from Hootie & the Blowfish.

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