Duff McKagan. It's So Simple... and Other Lies

The iconic bassist of Guns N’ Roses, Duff McKagan, shares in his book not only the typical rock star temptations: quick fame, big money, and drugs, but also how he faced death and was able to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Perhaps my friends and former band members remember some stories I’ve told differently than I do. But I know that any story can be viewed from different angles. These stories are my stories, told from my perspective. This truth is my truth. — Duff McKagan An unpretentious story of true hell and rock-and-roll paradise. — David Fricke, Rolling Stone magazine Multi-instrumentalist Duff McKagan played drums and guitar in various bands from his hometown of Seattle, but he gained real fame as the bassist for Guns N’ Roses. The band’s album Appetite For Destruction became the best-selling debut album in the history of rock music. Duff was the youngest of eight children in a family that saved on everything. From a young age, he used drugs and alcohol, and dropped out of school at 18. It seemed that nothing good was in store for him. But Duff took control of his destiny. He proved to be very talented and very determined. After avoiding tragic death from an overdose — McKagan was drinking ten bottles of wine a day! — he kicked his bad habits, earned millions of dollars, bought a house, started a family, and, after graduating from business school, founded his own consulting firm in finance and investments. And, of course, he became a rock star. Duff talks about all of this in his autobiography. Through his memories, we will see how the star of Guns N’ Roses rose, what the band members were like at that time, including the legendary Slash, and how the hits that topped the charts were created. This is a book about pain and overcoming it. A book about the choices we make and their consequences. A book about a man who challenged himself and emerged victorious.