Guns N’ Roses’ Influence on Bluegrass Band Iron Horse

80s hard rock icons Guns N’ Roses have been tearing up concert tours and blowing the minds of fans since their much-awaited reunion early this year. There’s no question about the band’s indomitable relevance – spanning four decades from the 1980s rock show diehards to the current generation of Coachella festival goers. To say that Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan still have it is a huge understatement. In more than a million ways, it seems like they never missed a beat in the first place.

To this day, the large-scale influence of GNR is reflected in almost all aspects. From official band merchandises on Grindstore to land-based casino games, the group has a distinct factor that defies the laws of time and modern pop culture. Even the international lottery aggregator, Lottoland, has gotten in on the act and developed a Guns N’ Roses themed video slots game, which has been warmly received by avid fans of the band. Of course the lifeblood of the band is still in its timeless sound. And when talking about musical influence, GNR’s even goes beyond the rock genre, into the far corners of bluegrass music.

Coming from Killen, Alabama, Iron Horse is a bluegrass band known for performing and putting their own twist to classic rock anthems of the 70s all the way to the 2000s. The group, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Vance Henry, Anthony Richardson on banjo, bassist Ricky Rogers, and Tony Robertson on mandolin, has covered hits from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and even Kings of Leon. But among the well-liked tracks of Iron Horse are their tribute albums for Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.

The 2007 album called Take Me Home is Iron Horse’s bluegrass homage to GNR’s influence. It features a uniquely different take on all-time favorites such as Welcome to the Jungle, Patience, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and [Paradise City. Critics generally loved how Iron Horse gave justice to Guns N’ Roses’ larger-than-life riffs and solos, as well as the range of emotion of every lyric. In its truest form, this tribute album is a valid recognition to a band that truly shaped a generation.