Introduction
When Guns N’ Roses announced their reunion tour in 2016, the music world was abuzz with excitement. Dubbed the “Not in This Lifetime” tour, the series of shows marked the first time in 23 years that Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan had shared a stage together. The tour went on to become the fourth highest grossing tour of all time, selling over 5 million tickets and earning more than $584 million in revenue.
This article will explore the history of the Not in This Lifetime tour, from its inception to present day. We’ll discuss how the tour changed the music industry, look at what made it so successful, and hear from one fan’s perspective about their experience. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why this tour was so groundbreaking.
A Look Back at the Start of Guns N’ Roses Not in This Lifetime Tour
Guns N’ Roses formed in 1985 in Los Angeles and quickly rose to fame with their 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction. The album sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time. The band followed up with two more studio albums, G N’ R Lies (1988) and Use Your Illusion I & II (1991), before tensions between the band members caused them to split in 1993.
For over 20 years, fans held out hope that the band would one day reunite. Then, in April 2016, it was officially announced that Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan would be reuniting for a tour. The “Not in This Lifetime” tour kicked off in Detroit on June 23rd, 2016, and ended in Honolulu on December 8th, 2019.
The reunion tour saw the band play over 170 shows across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This was a significant departure from the band’s previous tours, which were limited to North America and Europe. It also marked the first time in the band’s history that they had performed in China, Singapore, and Indonesia.
What made the Not in This Lifetime tour different from other tours was that it featured the original lineup of the band. This was a rare occurrence in the music industry, as many bands often go through line-up changes or breakups before reuniting. The tour also featured a mix of old and new songs, allowing fans to relive the nostalgia of classic Guns N’ Roses hits while experiencing the band’s more recent material.
How the Not in This Lifetime Tour Changed the Music Industry
The Not in This Lifetime tour not only revived the career of Guns N’ Roses, but it also changed the music industry in several ways. First, it increased the popularity of classic rock music. As more and more people attended the shows, it exposed a new generation to the genre. This helped to bring classic rock back into the mainstream and open the door for other classic rock bands to reunite and embark on their own tours.
Second, the tour helped to grow the live music industry. With millions of people attending the shows, venues around the world experienced an influx of revenue. This allowed venues to reinvest in their businesses and offer additional amenities to fans, such as VIP packages and upgraded seating options. Furthermore, the success of the tour encouraged other artists to follow suit and embark on their own reunion tours.
Finally, the Not in This Lifetime tour had a lasting impact on future tours and events. After the success of the tour, many other bands and artists began to incorporate elements from the Guns N’ Roses show into their own performances. This included everything from pyrotechnics and large-scale video screens to elaborate stage designs and longer setlists.
The Surprising Origin Story Behind the Not in This Lifetime Tour
The origin story behind the Not in This Lifetime tour is just as interesting as the tour itself. For years, there had been speculation that the band would reunite but nothing ever came of it. Then, in April 2016, a cryptic message appeared on Guns N’ Roses’ website, simply stating “Not in this lifetime…” This sparked rumors of a reunion, but no official announcement was made until May 4th, 2016.
On that day, the band finally confirmed that they would be reuniting for a tour. Fans around the world celebrated the news and began eagerly anticipating the start of the tour. Tickets for the first shows sold out within minutes, and the demand for tickets only continued to grow. By the time the tour ended in 2019, it had become the fourth highest grossing tour of all time.
A Timeline of Events: From the Not in This Lifetime Tour’s Inception to Present Day
To understand the success of the Not in This Lifetime tour, it’s important to look back at the timeline of events leading up to the tour’s launch. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments in the tour’s history:
Pre-Tour Preparations: Following the announcement of the reunion tour, the band began preparing for the shows. This included rehearsals, soundchecks, and production meetings. It was also during this time that the band revealed their updated logo and released a limited edition vinyl box set.
The First Leg of the Tour: The first leg of the tour kicked off in Detroit on June 23rd, 2016. The band played 27 shows across North America, performing classic hits like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The tour concluded in San Diego on August 22nd, 2016.
The Second Leg of the Tour: The second leg of the tour began in Japan on January 21st, 2017. The band then embarked on a massive world tour, playing shows in South America, Europe, and Australia before concluding in Buenos Aires on November 29th, 2018.
The Third Leg of the Tour: The third and final leg of the tour took place in 2019. The band played 15 shows across North America, performing in cities such as Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York. The tour concluded in Honolulu on December 8th, 2019.
Post-Tour Reflections: Following the conclusion of the tour, the band reflected on their experience. In a statement, Axl Rose said: “It’s been incredible sharing these past few years with old friends and making some new ones along the way. I want to thank everyone who supported us over the years and helped make these shows happen.”
An Analysis of the Not in This Lifetime Tour’s Record-Breaking Success
The success of the Not in This Lifetime tour was unprecedented. In total, the tour sold more than 5 million tickets and earned over $584 million in revenue. This made it the fourth highest grossing tour of all time, behind U2’s 360° Tour, The Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang Tour, and Ed Sheeran’s Divide Tour.
The tour also received critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike. It was praised for its high energy performances and ambitious setlist, and it was named one of Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Concerts of the Decade.” The tour also earned four Grammy nominations and won the award for “Best Rock Performance” in 2020.
The legacy of the Not in This Lifetime tour will continue to influence the music industry for years to come. It showed that classic rock music still has a place in today’s music landscape, and it paved the way for other bands to embark on their own reunion tours. Furthermore, the success of the tour has inspired other artists to push the boundaries of live performance and create unique and memorable experiences for their fans.
Reliving the Magic of the Not in This Lifetime Tour: One Fan’s Perspective
For many fans, the Not in This Lifetime tour was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To get a better understanding of what it was like to attend a show, we spoke to one fan who attended three shows on the tour. Here’s what they had to say:
“There’s something special about seeing your favorite band live. When I heard that Guns N’ Roses were reuniting, I knew I had to see them. I was lucky enough to attend three shows on the tour, and each show was even better than the last. The energy in the crowd was electric and the setlist was perfect. I’ll never forget that feeling of hearing my favorite songs live and being able to share that moment with thousands of other fans. It was truly magical.”
Conclusion
The Not in This Lifetime tour was a monumental event in the music industry. It brought together three iconic musicians for the first time in 23 years and reignited the career of Guns N’ Roses. The tour also changed the music industry in several ways, from increasing the popularity of classic rock to growing the live music industry. Finally, the tour left a lasting legacy that will influence future tours and events for years to come.
The Not in This Lifetime tour will always be remembered as one of the greatest reunions in music history. It provided a unique opportunity for fans to experience the magic of Guns N’ Roses live, and it gave the band an opportunity to reconnect with their fans after so many years apart. The tour is sure to remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.
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