How one of Guns N’ Roses biggest songs ever came to be in the back of a van

Through the years DETROIT, MI - MAY 7: (L-R) Drummer Steven Adler, Duff McKagan, vocals Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and guitarist Izzy Stradlin of the music group Guns N' Roses pose for a portrait on May 7, 1988, at the Detroit State Theater in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images) (Icon and Image/Getty Images)

By Jay Edwards

January 16, 2025 at 7:17 am EST

Five guys. One Van. Coming back from a gig in San Francisco and returning to LA when they stumble upon what will become one of the biggest rock anthems of all-time.

Slash shares how “Paradise City” came to be in the back of a van. Love this kind of behind-the-scenes stuff!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guitar World (@guitarworldmagazine)

Jay Edwards

Jay Edwards is an Orlando native and proud to call Central Florida his home! He has lived in Seminole County since the age of 2 and attended school at Lake Brantley High School, Seminole Community College, and then graduated with a Radio/TV degree from UCF.