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When the landmark album "Appetite for Destruction" was released in 1987, Guns N' Roses soon gained a reputation as the most inflammatory band in the world.

Why? In part because it seemed to offend nearly every demographic.

Nearly a quarter-century after Axl Rose and friends welcomed people into their jungle, it's hard to decide which of the band's antics have been the most offensive.

Walk down memory lane and help us decide.

• The original "Appetite for Destruction" cover was based on the Robert Williams painting of the same name, which depicted a robotic rapist about to be punished by a metal avenger, with the rape victim bloodied and half-nude. Several music retailers refused to stock the album, so the record label replaced the cover (putting it inside the album jacket) with the now-iconic image depicting a Christian cross and skulls of the five band members.

• The final track on "Appetite for Destruction" is "Rocket Queen," and during its bridge the sounds of a sex act are heard. Those weren't simulated, according to guitarist Slash's self-titled 2007 memoir. Axl Rose recruited drummer Steven Adler's on-again-off-again girlfriend to have sex with the lead singer in the recording studio, and listeners can overhear it.

• Rose stage-dived after a fan with a camera at a 1991 St. Louis concert, inciting the 1991 Riverport Riot. After confiscating the camera, Rose said, "Well, thanks to the lame-a— security, I'm going home!" and left the stage.

The band followed him, the crowd began to riot and dozens of people were injured. (Some compared the riot to the 1988 Monsters of Rock festival in England, when two fans were crushed to death during the band's set.) The Salt Palace was one of the next venues the band was to play during its tour, so according to Tribune archives, venue management strengthened security measures, such as installing fixed seats on the floor, thus eliminating the chances of chair-throwing. A Salt Lake County commissioner told a reporter he planned to reserve the right to close the facility if he felt uncomfortable about the band performing.

• "GN'R Lies," a follow-up EP to "Appetite for Destruction" released in 1988, included the song "Used to Love Her," which included the chorus: "I used to love her, but I had to kill her."

• The EP also included the song "One in a Million," with lyrics that expressed homophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment and racism (with the use of the N-word). After being asked to explain himself or the character's point of view, Rose wrote "Don't Damn Me" for the album "Use Your Illusion I," which included these lines: "So I send this song to the offended / I said what I meant and I've never pretended/ As so many others do intending just to please / If I damned your point of view / Could you turn the other cheek?"

• Because of explicit lyrics, Walmart and Kmart refused to stock the unedited "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II."

• "Use Your Illusion II" includes the song "Get In the Ring," which calls out, by name, reporters and editors who the band claimed had printed unfavorable content. Some of the lines are: "I'll be writin' down your obituary," "I'd like to crush your head tight in my vise" and a particularly blunt and explicit reference directed to Bob Guccione Jr., founder of SPIN magazine.

• A hidden track on the band's 1993 covers album "The Spaghetti Incident?" is a song written by Charles Manson called "Look at Your Game, Girl." Critics claimed Rose had an unhealthy obsession with Manson, since he can be seen wearing a black Manson shirt in the video for "Estranged" from "Use Your Illusion II." Victims' rights advocates assailed the song, claiming Manson would be able to collect royalties.

• Many of GNR's songs are about misogyny and wanton debauchery, including "Pretty Tied Up" (bondage), "Nightrain" (alcohol), "Anything Goes" (nymphomania) and "Think About You" (heroin).

• Finally, there's this: The 2008 release of "Chinese Democracy" was a huge disappointment and offends musical taste. —

Guns N' Roses with Black Label Society

When • 9 p.m. Tuesday

Where • Maverik Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City

Tickets • $69.50 and $49.50 at Ticketmaster outlets and maverikcenter.com