American hard rock band Guns’n’Roses braved the heatwave and performed an unforgettable show for 50,000 fans who gathered at the Olympic Stadium of Athens to watch Axl Rose and Slash perform in Greece for the first time since 2006.
Lead guitarist Slash celebrated his birthday on stage with crowds cheering as Axl Rose sang the traditional Happy Birthday tune in what looked like an emotional moment for the musician.
Axl Rose and all of Athens wishes Slash a Happy Birthday on the last show of the Guns N’ Roses European tour 🎂💝
We used to DREAM of moments like these
📹: @gunsnroses pic.twitter.com/VGFWKuQeJY
— J. ⚡️ (@TheGNRGiirl) July 22, 2023
Guns N Roses in Athens last night.
Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the great @Slash!@gunsnroses #GunsNRoses #GunsNRosesAthens pic.twitter.com/J9xKUyPPlY— Nicole (@FalleN_Nicole) July 23, 2023
Guns’n’Roses electrifying shows in Athens
The three-hour show in Athens was the last show of the band’s tour in Europe.
Guns’n’Roses toured Europe through June and July before they head to North America in August for a tour that spans three months.
“Thank you Athens for a fantastic last night of the European tour! You were no less then incredible! It was a perfect send off that we’ll always remember,” Slash posted on Twitter after the show.
Guns’n’Roses enjoy an enormous fan base in Greece and have previously played in Athens twice in their career; in 1993 and 2006.
Saturday’s show marked the return of the world-famous band to the Olympic Stadium of Athens after thirty years.
Guns n’ Roses same place 30 years after #Athens #Greece #Live pic.twitter.com/VUHge0Mgj2
— John Georgoulas (@JGeorgoulas) July 22, 2023
A retro video featuring backstage scenes from the band’s preparation for the 1993 Athens show -and their cruise to the Greek islands- can be found online.
It includes Slash giving an interview to the TV program’s reporter with the Acropolis of Athens in the background.
2023 tour continues in North America
Guns’n’Roses will continue their 2023 world tour in North America, starting on Saturday, August 5 in Moncton, NB at Medavie Blue Cross Stadium, and will visit historic venues across the country such as Fenway Park in Boston, MA on August 21 and Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL on August 24.
The tour is scheduled to conclude in Vancouver, BC at BC Place on Monday, October 16.
Founded in 1985, Guns’n’Roses had their breakthough and gained mass popularity between 1987-1989. This was followed by international success, leading to legendary worldwide tours as the bad drew comparisons to the early Rolling Stones and earned the nickname of “the most dangerous band in the world”.
In total, they have released six studio albums, as well as two live and two compilation albums.
The band are known for their hits such as “Paradise City”, “Sweet Child o’ Mine”, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, and “November Rain.”
It is estimated that Guns’n’Roses have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 45 million in the United States, making them one of the best-selling acts in history.
Last March, the band announced the release a new cd, Guns N’ Roses: London 1991, which includes never-released, newly-mixed songs from the Guns N’ Roses iconic show at Wembley Stadium on August 31, 1991.
It was only made available to members of their fan club, Nightrain.
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