After the disappointing cancellation of the last date in Europe, GN'R returned to the USA to begin their much anticipated co-headline tour with Metallica. Together they were scheduled to play 25 dates, beginning July 17, 1992 at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC. With Guns going on last each night, Faith No More opened the majority of the early shows…
Wednesday, JULY 29
MIDWAY THROUGH the show at Giants Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey Axl encounters severe pain in his throat but continues to (almost) finish the show. 'Almost', because during the last song, 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', he is hit in the genitals by a cigarette lighter thrown from the audience with considerable force. Whilst the singer returned backstage to regain his breath, Duff McKagan took over on lead vocals. Axl later quipped: "I got hit in the dick with a Bic!"
Thursday, JULY 30
IN NEW York, Axl Rose is diagnosed having sustained severe damage to his vocal chords, so the tour is temporarily interrupted. Three shows - Foxboro Stadium in Boston, MA (July 31), Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC (August 2) and the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN (August 5) - will be rescheduled in September. Axl is ordered to not use his voice for a week. "My vocal chords have turned to hamburger," he croaked.
Saturday, AUGUST 8
TOUR RESUMES at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. Before Metallica's set, singer/guitarist James Hetfield is warned about some new pyro cues. He stands clear of these but he takes up a position where the old ones detonated, not understanding that these were still in operation. His left arm is badly burnt and Metallica have to stop their show.
During Guns N' Roses' set, Axl leaves the stage after being hit by a missile thrown from the crowd. He leaves the stage temporarily, but before he and the band return, a riot breaks out.
Tuesday, AUGUST 25
WITH HETFIELD recovered from the burns he sustained on August 8, the tour resumes at the International Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. Axl has overcome his vocal chord and arytenoid inflammation problems and has been fit to perform for more then a week, but GN'R has waited for their co-headliner's singer to be ready too. Seven gigs needed to be rescheduled as a result of Hetfield's injuries and rescheduling them proved tricky as they were outdoor venues also busy with sporting events. Guns have spent much of the downtime at home in LA shooting a couple of music videos.
Monday, SEPTEMBER 7
RESCHEDULED WILLIAMS-Brice Stadium show in Columbia, SC.
Friday, SEPTEMBER 11
RESCHEDULED FOXBORO Stadium show in Boston, MA.
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 15
RESCHEDULED METRODOME show in Minneapolis, MN.
Monday, SEPTEMBER 21
HAVING BEEN on the road with GN'R since May of 1992, Faith No More leave the tour to fulfill prior headline touring commitments. Following their tour-debut at shows in Kansas City (before a crowd of 40,000) and Denver (48,000) last week, Body Count are announced to be taking over the slot for two of the remaining five shows. Motörhead are also added to the bill for three gigs.
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 24
SHOW AT Oakland Stadium in Oakland, California - with Body Count.
Sunday, SEPTEMBER 27
SHOW AT Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA - with Body Count.
Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 30
SHOW AT The Coliseum in Los Angeles - with Motörhead.
Saturday, OCTOBER 3
SHOW AT the Rosebowl in Pasadena, California - with Motörhead.
Tuesday, OCTOBER 6
SHOW AT the Kingdome in Seattle, WA - with Motörhead.
Following the conclusion of the dates with Metallica, Guns N' Roses rested, then flew to Venezuela for the start of a nine date South American tour. The schedule ran as follows…
