In January 1991, the atmosphere at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was charged with anticipation as Guns N’ Roses prepared for their performance at Rock in Rio II — one of the most iconic rock festivals in history. Before the massive crowds flooded in, Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan stepped onto the stage for soundcheck, setting the tone for what would become a legendary night in rock.
The band had just exploded into global superstardom with *Appetite for Destruction* and was in the midst of working on the ambitious *Use Your Illusion* albums. During the soundcheck, Axl, wearing his trademark bandana, paced the stage with fiery energy, testing his powerful vocals. Slash, with his top hat tilted low and cigarette hanging from his lips, unleashed riffs that echoed through the empty stadium, while Duff locked in on bass, his cool demeanor grounding the band’s raw energy.
Though the stands were empty, the chemistry between the three was undeniable — a gritty, electric bond that would define the golden era of Guns N’ Roses. They ran through tracks like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City,” fine-tuning every note as the Brazilian summer heat radiated around them. For fans who caught glimpses of the rehearsal from outside the venue, it was a rare moment: the band at work, stripped of spectacle but overflowing with power.
Just hours later, they would deliver one of the most explosive performances of their career to more than 100,000 fans. That soundcheck captured Guns N’ Roses at their peak — young, wild, and unstoppable — on the edge of writing rock history. Rock in Rio 1991 would go down as one of the band’s most unforgettable moments.
