Recent Steven Adler Discussions

Will

819 weeks ago

Re: Steven Adler

Discography

GNR Discography

Noteable Appearances

History

Steven Adler was born on January 22, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio.  He is of the Jewish faith and has Icelandic heritage.  As a young child, he, along with his mother, and siblings moved to Los Angeles, California.  It was here that he met and befriended future band-mate Slash as the two attended high school together.  While in high school, Adler learned to play guitar.  As Slash's guitar skilled progressed, Adler switched to playing drums and the two formed the band Road Crew.  Eventually Duff McKagan joined the duo and they went on to form Guns N' Roses with W. Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin.

Adler played drums on Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide, Appetite for Destruction, and G N' R Lies.  He also played on Civil War from Use Your Illusion II, but the track is said to be heavily edited from multiple takes. 

During his time in the band, Adler's drug abuse became a problem.  In late 1987, he broke his hand on a streetlight after a barroom brawl.  This lead to Cinderella's Fred Coury filling in on drums during Adler's recovery.  At the 1989 American Music Awards, Don Henley filled in on drums during Guns N' Roses' performance of Patience as Adler was at a rehabilitation facility.  He was briefly fired from the band and later reinstated when he agreed to stop using drugs.  During the recording of Civil War, the band had to piece together multiple takes in order to play along with Adler's drumming.  He was terminated from the band on July 11, 1990 for substance abuse that impeded his drumming ability.  Steven Adler was immediately replaced by Matt Sorum.

After leaving Guns N' Roses in 1991, Adler formed a new version of his old band, Road Crew with Vain singer and composer Davy Vain.  However, the project was soon abandoned due to Adler's drug habits without releasing an album.  After Adler left, the band went back to being called Vain and released a few albums with Adler playing.  Later, Adler collaborated with Gilby Clarke in the group Freaks in the Room.

Adler later auditioned as drummer for Australian rock band AC/DC following the departure of their then-current drummer, Simon Wright.  He was rejected due to news that his firing from Guns N' Roses was related to his overt drug abuse.   He continued to use drugs and has suffered two strokes and has a permanent speech impediment as a result.

Adler successfully sued his former band mates for firing him and was awarded $2,250,000 plus 15 percent royalties for everything he recorded prior to his departure.  Despite his success in the lawsuit, he has faced a number of legal problems.  In 1997, he was convicted of domestic violence against a woman and served four years in prison.  A year later, he was sentenced to 150 days in prison for attacking two other women.

When ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash and Duff McKagan began creating Velvet Revolver in 2002, Adler expressed hope that history would repeat itself and that once again he would be in a band with them. Velvet Revolver was created with Adler's replacement, Matt Sorum, instead.

In 2003, he started the band Suki Jones, which would later be renamed Adler's Appetite, and released an EP, Adler's Appetite. The band still performs live sporadically, performing sets heavy with Guns N' Roses covers.

In 2006, he played drums and toured with UK Guns N' Roses tribute band Guns 2 Roses.

In 2008, Adler was scheduled to participate in the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.  However, on July 18, he was arrested following a domestic dispute and was suspected of narcotic possession, being under the influence, and having an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Steven Adler has kicked off 2009 with a relaunch of his band Adlers Appetite. Photos from the bands first gig at the Keyclub can be found here