Cocked & Loaded contained the smash radio and video hit, 'the ballad of jayne', which brought the album to platinum sales status (over one million units shipped/sold the album may have only been certified gold), and was the commercial peak of the band's career. In August of 1989, the band released their second album, again on Vertigo Records, titled Cocked & Loaded. The band then embarked on their first world tour. The album is said to have achieved gold status (over 500,000 units shipped/sold). The LA Guns debut album spawned the singles 'one more reason', 'electric gypsy', and 'sex action', along with many other LA Guns classics. Nickey Alexander was replaced by drummer Steve Riley (who had recorded three albums with WASP and toured with the band from 1984 until 1987) for their first world tour and this lineup of Tracii Guns, Phil Lewis, Steve Riley, Mick Cripps, and Kelly Nickels remained until early 1992. In 1987, the LA Guns recorded their first album, released in January of 1988 on Vertigo Records, self-titled, LA Guns. Former Faster Pussycat and Sweet Pain bass player Kelly Nickels (who had released one album with Sweet Pain) was added to complete the new lineup. Mick Cripps switched back to guitar after Robert left. Paul Black was replaced in the spring of 1987 by singer Phil Lewis (who had released two albums with the band Girl and an album with the band Torme'). Since leaving LA Guns, Paul Black has formed and sang in the bands Black Cherry and Sonic Boom. The LA Guns demos that were recorded with Paul Black have since been released on the albums Black City Breakdown and Black List. Black was growing disenchanted with the pressure of PolyGram, and the band accused him of having a drug problem. Paul Black parted ways with the band in March of that year. They had already written many of the songs that would later appear on the LA Guns debut in 1988. The band had gained the attention of PolyGram Records and were close to being signed the company. The band recorded several sets of demos (some of these recordings which have since been released by Paul Black and others which had been available as a bootleg) and made a good name for themselves by late 1986. Tracii returned to the band, and they continued as a five-piece. Tracii left LA Guns for a short time in 1986 and was replaced by solo artist and former Dogs D'Amour singer Robert Stoddard (who had switched to guitar). The Joneses and Mau Maus drummer Paul 'Mars' Black (who switched to vocals) & guitarist Mick Cripps (who tentatively switched to bass) teamed up with former Weirdos drummer Nickey 'Beat' Alexander and Tracii to form a new LA Guns. Guns N' Roses didn't release any music with Tracii on guitar (although he had co-written some of the music that would later appear on their albums), but his name is half of the band's name, so his association with the band is not easily overlooked.īy the summer of 1985, Tracii had left Guns N' Roses and had decided to re-form LA Guns. By June of 1985, Guns N' Roses had replaced them and continued. Ole was the first to leave Guns N' Roses, followed by Tracii and Rob. Rob, Tracii, Izzy, and Axl re-formed Hollywood Rose (which was the end of LA Guns) in December of 1984, and in March of 1985 they reunited with Ole and became Guns N' Roses. Guitarist Izzy Stradlin' is also rumored to have been in the band for a short time (but this may be because the members of LA Guns and Hollywood Rose became the first lineup of Guns N' Roses). Mike was replaced by Axl Rose (from the band Hollywood Rose) in the summer of 1984. This lineup released an independent vinyl EP called Collector's Edition #1 on Raz Records (which has since been re-issued on the double CD Hollywood Raw). The first incarnation of the band featured singer Mike Jagosz. Tracii, drummer Rob Gardner, and bass player Ole Beich were joined by singers Axl Rose and Mike Jagosz. LA Guns was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Tracii Guns in 1983. I know they're not The Rolling Stones or Aerosmith, but this is the long and crazy story of my favorite rock and roll band of all time, the LA Guns: But you're reading this because you want to know more. You may even know Axl Rose, Nickey Alexander, Jizzy Pearl, and Brent Muscat. You probably know Phil Lewis, Tracii Guns, and Steve Riley. You might own more than just Cocked & Loaded. Hell, it should be! You no doubt know 'the ballad of jayne'. One name, two different bands, dozens of lineup changes, twenty-some-odd years, a catalog of ever-changing rock and roll music, and way too much information to fit into a one-hour television special- reads like a novel.

Ratt and l.a. guns tour 1996