The Rise and Fall of Steven Adler: A Drummer's Journey with Guns N' Roses
Steven Adler, the renowned drummer known for his time with Guns N’ Roses, was born on January 22, 1965, as Michael Coletti in Cleveland, Ohio. His rebellious nature emerged early on, leading him to move to Hollywood to live with his grandparents. It was there that he crossed paths with Slash, the future guitarist of Guns N’ Roses. Adler later returned to California and took up drumming after completing high school in 1983.
In Hollywood, Adler and Slash teamed up with bassist Duff McKagan to form the band Road Crew, which eventually disbanded after a year. However, in 1985, they joined forces with vocalist Axl Rose and rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin to create Guns N’ Roses. The band quickly gained recognition in the Los Angeles music scene and signed a record deal with Geffen Records in 1986.
Their debut album, "Appetite for Destruction," released in 1987, became a massive success, selling over 30 million copies and spending weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Adler and his bandmates were confident in the album's potential, foreseeing its impact on their careers. Despite their success, Adler's substance abuse issues began to surface, leading to his eventual dismissal from Guns N’ Roses in 1990.
Adler's struggles with addiction played out publicly over the following years, including legal troubles and appearances on reality TV shows like Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Despite his challenges, Adler has returned to touring and continues to share his musical talents with audiences worldwide.