Maps of Music

Live Era '87–'93 (1999)

Where the lyrics of Live Era '87–'93 take you, and where it was really made.

Although titled as a live album, Axl Rose re-recorded his vocals for it in the studio between 1997 and 1999.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

Live Era '87–'93: double live album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses
Released November 30, 1999; RIAA gold certification for shipments of 500,000 copies
First official Guns N' Roses release since 'The Spaghetti Incident?' in 1993
Compiled by band associate Del James
Tracks recorded between 1987 and 1993, mostly from the Use Your Illusion Tour of 1991–1993
Japanese and vinyl versions add a rare live performance of 'Coma'
Remastered version announced October 2025, with vinyl arriving November 21

Axl Rose is alleged to have communicated through intermediaries with Slash and Duff McKagan to select the track list
Slash called it one of the easiest projects the band worked on
Slash said he never actually saw Axl during the project
Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke play on most tracks but are credited as additional musicians
Steven Adler plays on three tracks and Izzy Stradlin on six; both are credited as main band members
'Live and Let Die' and 'Civil War' are omitted despite being played often on the Use Your Illusion Tour
'Pretty Tied Up' and 'Move to the City', songs played far less often, are included
'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' was recorded at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and had already been released as a single

Former manager Doug Goldstein described the overdubs and retakes as fixes rather than a full redo of the material
Slash spent most of the time re-dubbing tracks
Jim Mitchell and Mike Clink are credited as recording engineers
Andy Wallace mixed the album and George Marino mastered it
Spanish Wikipedia reports that Axl re-recorded his vocals for the album between 1997 and 1999

Formed in Los Angeles, California, in March 1985 by Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Tracii Guns and others from L.A. Guns and Hollywood Rose.
The classic lineup of Rose, Slash, Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler was finalized in June 1985.
Signed with Geffen Records in March 1986.

Current members include Axl Rose (vocals), Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass), Dizzy Reed (keyboards), Richard Fortus (guitar), Melissa Reese (keyboards) and Isaac Carpenter (drums).
Rose is the only constant member since the band's formation.

Debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987) sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and became the best-selling debut album in the U.S.
Use Your Illusion I and II (1991) debuted at numbers two and one on the Billboard 200.
Chinese Democracy (2008) was the long-delayed album reportedly costing $13 million.
The Not in This Lifetime... Tour (2016–2018) grossed $563.3 million.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012; the band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Released November 30, 1999, as the first official Guns N' Roses release since 1993
Compiled by Del James, with the track list chosen through intermediaries
Mixed by Andy Wallace, mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound
Several credited engineers and assistants are listed on the Discogs release page for the album

Spanish Wikipedia notes that the re-recorded vocals and guitar parts caused disappointment among fans
Fans reportedly expected a completely raw and authentic live album without the retakes
Slash and Duff McKagan revealed they were not present for the mixing of the album
Andy Wallace confirmed that vocal retakes and arrangements were made, along with some parts re-recorded in the studio
Slash called the album not pretty and full of mistakes, while still describing it as honest

The Japanese and vinyl versions contain a rare live performance of 'Coma' that is not on the standard release.
Slash described the album as not pretty and full of mistakes, but as the honest sound of Guns N' Roses.
Spanish Wikipedia notes that the CD won a promo award in Brazil in 2001, after a Rock in Rio concert that year.
'Live and Let Die' and 'Civil War' were left off despite being among the band's most popular live songs.
'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' comes from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, not from the Use Your Illusion Tour.