Who is/was bigger: GN'R or Bon Jovi?

[dmbrocker]

They were about the same size. More guys in GNRs fanbase, more girls in Bon Jovi's.

But GNR was almost like a member of the 27 club - by not releasing a bunch of albums flopped, it made their legend grow. They never became "uncool" the way Bon Jovi or really any of those bands from the 80s did, so they stayed cool... like Hendrix and Nirvana.

Maybe the UYI albums didn't flop, but we've got people debating how much better a single UYI album would be using tracks from both albums, so they're not exactly untouchable, at least in retrospect, anyway.

[DonJuanDeMarco]

Bon Jovi is my gut reaction. They have like 20 albums and have stayed active this entire time. Even managed to have a couple legit big hit singles in the 2000's: It's My Life and Who Says You Can't Go Home.

GNR only have have 5 albums and Axl threw the entire band out for like 20 years. This nonstop stadium tour with Slash and Duff is surreal. I can't believe how successful they have been. But still, only a few singles. They are mostly a touring entity.

I love them both but just the fact that Bon Jovi have such a bigger catalog makes me think they would be "bigger".

[cowpins]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

[superglide88]

They were about the same size. More guys in GNRs fanbase, more girls in Bon Jovi's.

But GNR was almost like a member of the 27 club - by not releasing a bunch of albums flopped, it made their legend grow. They never became "uncool" the way Bon Jovi or really any of those bands from the 80s did, so they stayed cool... like Hendrix and Nirvana.

Maybe the UYI albums didn't flop, but we've got people debating how much better a single UYI album would be using tracks from both albums, so they're not exactly untouchable, at least in retrospect, anyway.

Which tracks would make a perfect Illusion you think?

[dmbrocker]

They were about the same size. More guys in GNRs fanbase, more girls in Bon Jovi's.

But GNR was almost like a member of the 27 club - by not releasing a bunch of albums flopped, it made their legend grow. They never became "uncool" the way Bon Jovi or really any of those bands from the 80s did, so they stayed cool... like Hendrix and Nirvana.

Maybe the UYI albums didn't flop, but we've got people debating how much better a single UYI album would be using tracks from both albums, so they're not exactly untouchable, at least in retrospect, anyway.

Which tracks would make a perfect Illusion you think?

I dunno. “You Could Be Mine”, “November Rain”, “Estranged”, “Civil War”, and “Yesterdays”, for starters. And I know this will be an unpopular opinion around here, but I actually like “Get in the Ring”.

[pieceofme]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

What a strange comment to make.

Plenty of no name acts have opened for the Rolling Stones. Doesn't make them more popular than Bon Jovi.

[Mister Freeze]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

Bon Jovi opened for Ratt, so Bon Jovi.

[BlackieVanHolmes]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

So did Bon Jovi in 95.

[cowpins]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

So did Bon Jovi in 95.

Where? Uranus? Seriously, I don't recall Bon Jovi ever playing w/ the Stones.

[War_in_D]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

So did Bon Jovi in 95.

Where? Uranus? Seriously, I don't recall Bon Jovi ever playing w/ the Stones.

Bon Jovi opened a handful of stadium shows for the Stones in Europe in 1995.

[skunklovestiger]

Da Jovi's appeal is mostly US, GNR is a lot bigger worldwide.

Not sure about that. Bon Jovi continued to play sold out stadiums all over the world. Especially here in Europe for the longest time. A period where Guns N Roses didnt play at all.

[cowpins]

So did Bon Jovi in 95.

Where? Uranus? Seriously, I don't recall Bon Jovi ever playing w/ the Stones.

Bon Jovi opened a handful of stadium shows for the Stones in Europe in 1995.

I stand corrected. Now that would have been an epic show.

[tooth]

GN'R opened for the Rolling Fucking Stones, so GN'R.

For sure, a ton of bands did. http://www.timeisonourside.com/guests.html

[NeonKnite]

How anyone can think Bon Jovi was ever bigger than GnR post-AfD is beyond me.

While I am one who thinks GnR built their entire career largely off of the success of one single album, a great one no doubt, and thus considers they way overrated in the grand scheme of things, there's no denying they're a bigger band. The only evidence you need is them being able to tour stadiums decades after their original disintegration and without even all of their original members to boot.

[SW]

The only evidence you need is them being able to tour stadiums decades after their original disintegration and without even all of their original members to boot.

How does that differ from Bon Jovi?

[NeonKnite]

The only evidence you need is them being able to tour stadiums decades after their original disintegration and without even all of their original members to boot.

How does that differ from Bon Jovi?

Bon Jovi hasn't done full stadium tours that hit every market. They've mostly done them in their home base market of NY/NJ.

See?

[SW]

The only evidence you need is them being able to tour stadiums decades after their original disintegration and without even all of their original members to boot.

How does that differ from Bon Jovi?

Bon Jovi hasn't done full stadium tours that hit every market. They've mostly done them in their home base market of NY/NJ.

See?

It seems that every time they come to europe they play stadiums over here.

[sunshinehead]

Bon Jovi peaked by the time GnR hit.

Both mega-bands.

GnR have an advantage that they haven’t released that much over 40 years and have retained an element of mystique, whilst BJ transitioned from rock to dad rock in the late 90’s. Different target audiences.