Duff McKagan on the Legacy of Guns N' Roses | Rock & Roll Road Trip

Sammy Hagar and Duff McKagan join forces on this electrifying rendition of "Chip Away" from Duff's 2019 album, "Tenderness." Then, the two sit down for a candid conversation about the legacy of his band, Guns N' Roses, what he grew up listening to, and some of his fondest touring memories.
Check out the full Rock & Roll Road Trip episode here: bit.ly/Mckagan...
Subscribe to AXS TV for more great music content:
www.youtube.co...
Sign up for AXS TV's Newsletters: www.axs.tv/new...
More from AXS TV:
Jack White of The White Stripes on His Unique Style | The Big Interview: • Jack White of The Whit...
Warren Haynes Talks Gov't Mule's "Dark Side of the Mule" Tour | Now Listen: • Warren Haynes Talks Go...
AC/DC Release "Back in Black" | This Week In Music History: • AC/DC Release "Back in...

[@richiebutz7314]

I love Duff bearing his soul. He’s an inspiration for people who know they need to change but haven’t quite put the wheels in motion.

[@PaulSmith-zi3sn]

How can you not love Duff, what a story he has. So glad to see him at peace and happy !!

[@andrewkelly790]

you read his autobiography, "its so easy and other lies" ? Its really good. Great writer.

[@steveharris1974]

You can't not like Duff, so glad he made it back from oblivion.

[@zsuzsannas-kabeau420]

The sweetest character of the Guns..love him..

[@doncicci9608]

I feel the same about Duff. Always loved him.

[@brandonjackson5865]

It’s pretty incredible all five original members are still alive and they’re all still playing. Adler is playing, don’t know what Izzy is up to but he’s probably writing and playing music.

[@pf100andahalf]

Izzy is doing whatever he has to do to stay away from drugs and alcohol. That's why he left in the first place. Smart guy.

[@michelelaraia7358]

Yes he is. You find on Yt too

[@brandonjackson5865]

@@pf100andahalf Izzy was already clean before he left the band. The band got too big and he wasn’t into it anymore not to mention Axl’s unprofessional behaviors . He was asked to be a part of the reunion, but ultimately declined because they “didn’t want to split the loot right” . It’s a shame Izzy wrote a large portion of their catalog. He’s way more important to GNR than a lot of people think. I’m sure being fairly newly clean he didn’t enjoy being around raging addicts. At the end of his tenure he traveled completely separately and he would travel and sight see in his free time. I think even a couple shows he was in his room and they were to call him whenever Axl showed up. I think Izzy quitting sent Axl into a worse sense of megalomania than he already had. They were childhood friends and I think Izzy was closer to Axl than anyone else was . There was something magical about the original line up. People will say “what’s Izzy done since Guns?” to downplay his importance in the creative aspect of the band. Some people also don’t realize that a lot of the Illusion songs were written before or during the Appetite cycle. All of there best songs were crafted with the original five working together. Axl,Slash, and Duff might be the face or mascots but Izzy and Adler were an incredibly integral part of their original sound.

[@flyingburritobro68]

@@brandonjackson5865Izzy has released close to 10 albums since Guns and they are all solid some really good

[@Dubliner812]

​@@brandonjackson5865I honestly could not have said any or all of that better myself Bud.

[@chrisridenhour]

Duff and Sammy - two of the most genuine, down to earth guys in rock music

[@SCARFACE69247]

I got to hang out with Duff for a couple minutes at a bar one night. Super nice, regular guy. He just came up to the bar and started talking to me, and I looked over and it was Duff. It was very difficult to not fanboy, but I held it together. 😅

[@elpistolas4485]

Duff McKagan singing makes me think about The Rolling Stones

[@jefflebowski1838]

i always liked his voice and never thought about it , but you are totally right!

[@abcdefg5185]

i know hey. Awesome

[@danielevans9379]

Two of the coolest, most humble rock stars ever.

[@CraigArndt]

There wouldn't have been a GnR without Duff, he was the glue. He was instrumental in the reunion of Axl and Slash. Duff also played a huge role in Velvet Revolver, that band wouldn't have seen a 2nd album without him. He's the broker, keeps people together.

[@mat11trick]

So true. He also let Mark Lanegan stay at his house when Mark wasn’t doing well. Got him back on his feet for a time. And I’m sure he’s helped others we’ll never know about. Peace.

[@sebg2086]

the glue ....lollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[@luispineiro4341]

No se inglés salvo alguna palabra , pero la felicidad que noto en sus rostros en hermosa . La música es una gran terapia

[@SiGriff]

Got to love Duff, his bass lines in the Guns n Roses tunes are amazing, he’s a talented intelligent guy, would like to have the chance to sit and chat to him.

[@FloydofOz]

I am not surprised Sammy Hagar has a Buck Owens guitar. He’s a man of taste and discernment.

[@camerondodge2070]

One of the few old school punk rockers I still respect. Sure, Duff might not have been in any big bands during that time, but he was in influential ones. And he still seems cool, unlike other punks who have either turned against they stood for, or just become insufferable.

[@101st_Airbone_Division]

Duff is a complete guitarist, great respect, great to listen to and nice to look at

[@macchina13]

Duff has an incredible nice voice as well. Even when he´s talking naturally just answering some question, it´s same voice as in when he´s singing. Really pleasant, mellow voice!

[@kernowmaid5970]

Great interview. Love the song, love Duff, love Guns n Roses ❤️❤️❤️ chip away 😊

[@robjgolde3221]

Duff is the single coolest living American rockstar IMO. Just a badass musician and performer, incredibly intelligent, inspiring story and redemption arc, and by all accounts, a really nice, humble guy.

[@louis-pauger6569]

Duff looks and sounds like a music version of Keanu

[@m...6119]

Listening to these two gentlemen playing guitar and living their best life makes me happy. It looks like there’re in a happy place!

[@charbarnett2567]

I have always been "in love" with Duff, ever since I saw them on the appetite tour, mad respect for his talent and music. Thank you for being you Duff ❤

[@wcreview8227]

SOO Glad you turned it around Duff, I dont know you but I do know the world is a better place with you in it!!!

[@pf100andahalf]

This is one of the best things, if not the best thing, that's ever happened on Hagar's show.

[@davidcolney854]

The bass on "Double Talking Jive" ....no words for that bass intro.

[@hitesh_blues2353]

Let's take a moment to appreciate how young and fit Duff is here. Not many of the 80s rock stars carry the same persona, charm, and health. Love you Duff, what an amazing musician 🥰

[@brushstroke3733]

Feels like I'm in the living room jamming with two good buddies! One can dream!!

[@kuyarickkelley4719]

If you told me 30 years ago these two would be jamming acoustic like this i would never have believed you

[@josephreber525]

Duff you have my Respect 👍👍 Sammy you have all had it 👍👍👍

[@acecomet]

Duff made some iconic bass riff that will be remembered forever☀️

[@cdchantler]

Incredible how well duff has looked after himself after he cleaned up

[@leandro9965]

Slash, Duff e Sammy são 3 dos caras mais legais e de bom coração que já vi no Rock. Vida longa a todos.

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Love both of these guys!!!

[@marvinshenk]

I had this cd with Duff on it called Neurotic Outsiders. It was pretty good.

[@rayrivera1830]

Union and Better way my favs.

[@zer976]

Really enjoyed the opening song. These are two dudes that love music. Keep rock'n.

[@AlbertMoyerJr]

A great interview! I'm glad it worked out for him. There is nothing like Guns N Roses.

[@user-ee1op5cz1f]

Such a legend...the guy is just so cool, lucky to survive, so I'm not surprised how amazingly cool he is now

[@kayyy5]

I love his journey. He genuinely looks like he enjoys life but knows he is lucky to have survived his past. He owns it without being preachy and you get a sense that he is grateful. I’ve loved that about him for years now. He’s living his best life!

[@brainsmoothy]

I didn't think Samuel Hagar would be this good at talking with people who'd been through horrible times.

[@philomelodia]

Sammy is a very down to earth guy. He absolutely strikes me as someone who would be awesome to have a beer with.

[@SL-nr3qi]

Duff is so talented and so charming ❤

[@philomelodia]

When Sammy praises your vocals, it’s a great thing. He’s an amazing vocalist himself still able to hit a lot of those notes into his 70s. And Duff’s voice is definitely distinctive. He’s a big part of the Guns N’ Roses sound.

[@Taureanfitness]

I love Duff. I've always been a huge fan of him. If I close my eyes and listen I hear definitely punk rock and I also hear The Rolling Stones.

[@Part-Time-Pope]

Sammy strikes me as a person that has always been living his best life.

[@Helmut83]

I had never heard this song before and I liked it immediately, so cool.

[@zaclongchar5376]

Legends on fire. Keep going.

[@DJ.LakeSea]

That Intro jam was awesome! Thats gunna be stuck in my head for dayz!!

[@joshuagibson2520]

Duff and Izzy are the bwckbone of GnR. Period.

[@user-ARK1547]

Music to the ears that makes the day sunny and bright 👍❤️

[@chrisfoster9080]

Can't get enough of that wonderful Duff.

[@danielaschwarz1971]

Totally agree with you.Greetings from Germany🌎

[@justinsixx90]

Believe In Me is one of my favorite albums ever!!! Seek it out!

[@sabinojalalon5103]

Just simply musical genius!!!

[@PR-pm6ql]

Sammy, great job on this interview! Would love to see you get an interview with Izzy too!

[@RiverValleyHolstein]

Duff aged like fine wine

[@Helmut83]

Did wine have to be the metaphore, precisely for Duff? :D

[@joshuaschmidinger3993]

The only crime here is that this show isn't longer, i want more 😎👌👏 make this an hr long or do part 2 episodes, it's so cool.

[@Epopeyasdelnortegrande]

Such a fantastic duo!

[@Meatball2022]

Duff seems like a great dude

[@EstudiantEterno]

75 años tiene Sammy. Que bárbaro.

[@russgare6523]

I really like the red white and blue Buck Owens style acoustic guitar Sammy is playing

[@chrisf.1301]

It looks exactly like the one Pat was playing at Nirvana unplugged which apparently was owned by Krist, who is apparently friends with Duff. I wonder if it’s the same guitar or at least was inspired by the one Krist owns?

[@russgare6523]

@chrisf.1301 yup, the original Buck Owens American guitars were made in 1970 by Harmony guitars and were sold by Sears eventually they transitioned over to being made by Fender in the 1990's and you are correct the one that Pat Smear played for MTV Nirvana Unplugged was borrowed from krist novoselic

[@chrisf.1301]

@@russgare6523 ah cool, thank for for the additional backstory

[@DarknessIsSpreading_01]

Did Sam steal that guitar like he stole VH royalties & Cabo Wabo ?

[@chuckwalters4759]

Sam that was too short of an interview! I'm wanting more!

[@KrazyRock]

I'd like to hear Duff and Wolfie together on a song..

[@yoyo-dx6xy]

And his brother was a Vietnam Vet!!! Thank you both for all your Service!...♥ 🇺🇸

[@TMBTM]

If there was one guy in the band I was sure would not pass the 90s alive, it was Duff... and look how healthy he is in 2023! Makes me happy.

[@RuralRoute3]

...I feel like that got cut short! For sure, both Duff and Sammy lived The Life and survived--and are better for it!

[@RealmoftheBlackShadow]

Slash really nailed that solo... Without sunglasses and hat too. Wow. (World of ?)

[@ufukyldiz]

Duff Mckagan ; A REAL ROCK N ROLL AND PUNK ROCK vocalist 👍🎸

[@manhalen7046]

Duff is an Aquarius so the team player question was obvious, we're team players till the end, much to our own non-benefit. We're loyal like dogs. What a cool guy, just glad to see you happy and healthy Duff!

[@christopherj3121]

Duff is a HUGE fan of Prince.

[@brohawk7395]

Sweet 😎🤘🏼 the missing jams from the first interview!!!! Thnx guys!!

[@robbiegarnz7732]

Sammy’s solo was great! Him and Duff laughing while Sammy tries to get to that high note is classic!

[@carrybeckwith5397]

Gotta love Duff got to see him withGNR at Met life stadium last night amazing.

[@TurtleRoseMusic]

I wrote a song about a guy who couldn't find rock bottom until he did using 33 song titles by country singer Eric Church called "all this time" It's a folky americana style but would be a cool rock version. Here are some lyrics. All the best Verse 1 Today I just left Jenny, in Carolina After we saw Springsteen, rock in Talledega All those sinners like me, who make it look so easy We’re Just Hell on the heart, every time we leave I’m young and wild living out of my chevy van, I’m getting stoned here, man like a wrecking ball Now my hearts on fire, long gone to the dark side Lord without you here, my life’s a roller coaster ride, Chorus All this time, I could never find, the bottom All this time, the only love of mine, was a bottle I was just lost inside, no matter how I tried I could never walk the line Lord knows, I was wasted All this time

[@ivasantos3829]

Grande Daff, amo esse cara ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ZKAttack]

Two legends

[@onceuponascale]

Yup Sammy is right. I really thought he sounded like Lou Reed too. Great singing!

[@gutopptesp]

Duff é simplesmente o melhor musico, ele é completo show demais

[@edwardmchalejr8214]

One word : REAL!

[@andothemando9695]

Wow !!that song on the into was great !!

[@briankennedy1192]

He's a good guy Sammy, seems like a true friend.

[@farmbettapontianak6462]

all of the GNR personnel were my favorites from when I was little until I was 28 years old

[@user-bl6ne3hc6n]

I recommend Duffs book, it's out standing

[@anamerican1054]

Woohoo! Jam on.

[@vr112]

Shooter Jennings shirt on Duff! Hell Yeah

[@mikefatrouni5759]

that was amazing really really was

[@cate4338]

nice one... no one wasn't smiling while watching you guys do this...

[@cherylb2008]

Love Duff Love sammy

[@legendodinson7082]

I was enjoying that interview. I would have liked to hear more. Duff getting cut off for the "this or that" segment kinda sucked and was a bit of a let down of an interview ender.

[@thelolguy007]

It’s only a taster. A snippet. It’s part of a series of interviews that Sammy does for tv. The original is much longer. And there are some other great guests too - Brian Johnson, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant etc

[@stephaniehilbern]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤2 of the best California souls collide🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Sammy Hagar always gives me hope, he's prove that you can be the worlds most average musician and make it. Thanks Sammy!

[@williamzoom]

Sammy made it by being smarter than the average musician!

[@DarknessIsSpreading_01]

By being a craven opportunist and thief.

[@brushstroke3733]

A lot of the best musicians are pretty average. Most guys who are exceptionally gifted at skilled an instrument can't write or perform a simple song that appeals to the heart instead of purely to the mind. Look at all the KZbin sensations who can play like Satan's champion at the Crossroads, but can't write a song that anyone cares about.

[@adamscottv]

Harsh ... he was a pretty damn good rock singer in the day.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

@@adamscottv yup he was, but not as a guitar player

[@joeshoe6184]

Nice lead in the opener Sammy.

[@osobucodonosor1991]

Duff is Bowie from another multiverse

[@mrhomedadz673]

Duff the man, Cool dude, great bass player. i luv the Night train I always play it loud. ✌

[@phoenixr6811]

Got both of his books awesome read 😊

[@Camaink1]

"You could hear the cocaine in me" Gotta love Duff!! 😆

[@j23_stuff]

I love Duff and GnR. Richard is great, but I do wish Izzy would come back to GnR. Matt as well 😔. I feel like there is a hole there without them.

[@trevormcshane4986]

F,,,,,,k Matt,,,That's Steven Adlers ,,,SEAT,,,.

[@kaitsu1984]

That had a bit of a Rolling Stones vibe :)

[@alphalifestyleacademy]

3:51 I thought the same thing. The folk!

[@jessekauffman3336]

Duff you da man! you beat the demon that has destroyed so many lives!

[@harley1969chuco]

Chip away Chip away

[@ezrhino100]

saw GNR open for the Stones on the Steel wheels tour, Los Angeles. I think they borrowed the horn section for a few tunes. Axl jumped off the stage and ran the 400m in the stadium. No one could catch him.

[@reflectingtrees]

Duff, Rockn'

[@darrenmcmackin330]

Damn that was really cool. Loved the tune at the start.

[@michalvojtek7660]

How is Sammy 75 years old? :O He looks incredible for his age!

[@brushstroke3733]

75??? Sammy looks about 45!! Wild!

[@glennoc8585]

Wow is he really that'd as amazing he look years younger

[@Hiergibtesnixzusehen]

Duff is amazing!

[@TiagoCavalcanti-ji6hu]

so cool

[@ioeee7563]

"My name is Doc, not Nintendo, you can not play me!" 😁