Matt Sorum

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sorum's entry into Guns N' Roses marked a significant turning point. After performing on Tori Amos' first record and the sole album by Y Kant Tori Read, he joined The Cult in 1989 to tour Sonic Temple. It was there that Slash noticed him, leading to his recruitment as Adler's replacement in 1990. Sorum's time with the band was defined by massive output; he played on both Use Your Illusion albums (though not on 'Civil War' or '14 Years', which were recorded by Steven Adler) and "The Spaghetti Incident?" He did not play on the 1990 cover of 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' (Adler played on that track) or the 1994 cover of 'Sympathy for the Devil' (Josh Freese played on that track). He contributed to only a minority of tracks on Live Era: '87-'93. His tenure was not without conflict; in 1997, after Slash had already left, Sorum argued with Axl Rose over Paul Tobias. When Rose asked if he would quit following his defense of Slash's performance, Sorum said no, resulting in his firing. Sorum later noted he intended to get fired that night, viewing the band as stagnant after four years without recording.

In Their Own Story

The timeline of Sorum's career is punctuated by specific moments of high-stakes performance and sudden departures. In 1994, alongside Slash and Gilby Clarke, he formed the side project Slash's Snakepit, releasing It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. That same year, he lent his skills to the theme for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and helped form the supergroup Neurotic Outsiders with Duff McKagan, John Taylor, and Steve Jones. Their self-titled album dropped in 1996, featuring guest spots by Simon Le Bon, Slash, and Billy Idol. Despite these successes, his time in Guns N' Roses ended abruptly. The argument that led to his exit began when Tobias made disparaging remarks about a TV performance by Slash. Sorum blew up at Tobias, leading Rose to question his loyalty. Sorum's response was firm: "without Slash there is no Guns N' Roses." This declaration sealed his fate, and he left the band in 1997, later re-establishing friendship with Rose in April 2006.

Reader's Guide

Matt Sorum joined Guns N' Roses in 1990 as Steven Adler's replacement, recruited by Slash after seeing him tour with The Cult. He recorded three studio albums with the band: Use Your Illusion I (1991), Use Your Illusion II (1991), and "The Spaghetti Incident?" (1993). His contributions extended to covers of Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," as well as the soundtrack for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. Sorum drummed on every one of the 194 shows during the Use Your Illusion Tour, which spanned 9 legs and sold out to over 7 million fans worldwide. He also participated in side projects like Slash's Snakepit and Neurotic Outsiders before his departure from Guns N' Roses in 1997 following a conflict with Axl Rose over Paul Tobias. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N' Roses.

Did You Know?

• Sorum joined Guns N' Roses in 1990 after being spotted by Slash while touring with The Cult.
• He did not drum on all 192 shows of the Use Your Illusion Tour; he joined after the tour started and missed some shows.
• Sorum was fired from Guns N' Roses in 1997 following an argument with Axl Rose about Paul Tobias, after stating "without Slash there is no Guns N' Roses."
• He released two solo albums: Hollywood Zen (2004) and Stratosphere (2014).
• In 2012, Sorum was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Guns N' Roses.