On this day in 1991, a Guns N’ Roses performance in the US State of Missouri ends in a riot after Axl Rose grows tired of supposedly ineffectual security.
While performing the song ‘Rocket Queen’ at the Riverport Amphitheater, Axl Rose notices that a fan is filming the show with a video camera. After telling security to confiscate the camera, Rose jumps into the crowd, confronting the audience member, assaulting him, and eventually being pulled back out by members of the crew.
Frustrated, Rose proclaims “Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I’m going home,” throwing down the microphone before leaving the stage. “He just smashed the microphone. We’re out of here,” explains Slash, causing the disappointed and angry crowd to erupt in a riot.
The ensuing riot lasts for three hours and leaves dozens injured. Axl Rose is eventually arrested in 1992 for inciting a riot, but is let go after it is found his actions did not directly lead to the actions of the crowd.
While Guns N’ Roses would not play in St. Louis again until 2017, the artwork for Use Your Illusion (which is released just over two months later) features the words “Fuck You, St. Louis!.”
Check out footage of Guns N’ Roses’ St. Louis incident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkec02UjybE
Guns N Roses @ Riverport Amphitheatre, Missouri, USA 02/07/1991 Setlist
‘Perfect Crime’
‘Mr. Brownstone’
‘Live And Let Die’ (Wings cover)
‘Dust N’ Bones’
‘You Could Be Mine’
‘Patience’
‘Double Talkin’ Jive’
‘November Rain’
‘Welcome To The Jungle’
‘Civil War’
’14 Years’
‘Speak Softly Love (Love Theme From The Godfather)’ (Nino Rota cover)
‘Rocket Queen’
