The name 'Guns N' Roses' is a literal combination of two different L.A. bands. In 1985, Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin (of the band Hollywood Rose) joined forces with Tracii Guns, Ole Beich, and Rob Gardner (of the band L.A. Guns). By merging 'Hollywood Rose' and 'L.A. Guns,' they created Guns N' Roses. While Tracii Guns was eventually replaced by Slash, and the rest of the classic lineup (Duff McKagan and Steven Adler) joined shortly after, the name remained. Their debut album, 'Appetite for Destruction,' became the best-selling debut album in U.S. history, driven by the massive success of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' and 'Welcome to the Jungle.'