Sweet Child o’ Mine | Through the Shattered Lens

You can thank Thor for today’s music video of the day.

This video was shot in the Mendiola’s Ballroom at Huntington Park, California. All of the band’s then-girlfriends are featured in the clip. Erin Everly was dating Axl Rose at the time and he wrote the lyrics with her specifically in mind. Sally McLaughlin was dating Slash. Steven Adler was dating Cheryl Swiderski while Duff McKagan was going out with Mandy Brx and Izzy Stradlin was seeing Angela Nicoletti. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of those people are still together but the song still rocks.

The video was directed by Nigel Dick, which is not surprising. From the 80s to the present day, being a star means that Nigel Dick will eventually end up directing a music video for you. Along with doing several other videos for Guns N’ Roses, he’s also done videos for Nickelback, Il Divo, R.E.M., Barry Manilow, Britney Spears, Madness, Iron Maiden, and pretty much every other band that’s ever had a major recording contract. Did his work with Iron Maiden and Guns N’ Roses prepare him to work with Barry Manilow? We may never know.

Enjoy!

As a child of the 1980’s it would be difficult to come up with a greatest guitar solo ever list and not make mention of the work of one Slash. The man with the top hat, who played a mean Gibson Les Paul would become part of what the 80’s called “The Most Dangerous Band” in Guns N’ Roses.

“Sweet Child o’ Mine” would become one of the band’s biggest hits and, ultimately, their most recognizable. This is quite an impressive considering this is the band that came up with quite a bit of classic tunes in the short time they all played together. It’s also the song where Slash truly made his mark by creating not just one of the most recognized opening hard rock riffs, but also one of the best guitar solos.

For a band that was seen and who saw itself as “the most dangerous” they also came up with a power ballad that combined not just genuine emotions, but the hard rock sensibility one expected from a band such as Guns N’ Roses. It’s a power ballad worthy of past great power ballads such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Free Bird”.