COUNTRY AND ROCK FANS NEVER SAW THIS REUNION COMING đŸ€˜đŸŽž — TEN YEARS AFTER SHARING A STAGE, TWO MUSIC WORLDS COLLIDED IN AN UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT What began as an ordinary stop on Guns N’ Roses’ tour quickly turned into one of the night’s biggest surprises when a familiar face walked onto the stage. A decade after opening for the legendary rock band, Chris Stapleton returned—not as an opening act, but as a special guest alongside Axl Rose and Slash for a performance that instantly sent the crowd into a frenzy. The emotional collaboration brought together two generations and two genres in a way few expected, reminding fans just how much mutual respect exists between the artists. But beyond the standing ovation and roaring applause, the appearance also brought back the story of a chance meeting years ago that quietly grew into an enduring friendship.

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See Chris Stapleton Join Guns N’ Roses for ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ in Toronto

A decade after serving as GN’R’s opening act, the country singer appears onstage with Axl Rose, Slash and Co.
See Chris Stapleton Join Guns N' Roses for 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' at Toronto Concert
Slash and Chris StapletonYouTube

A decade after Chris Stapleton first served as Guns N’ Roses’ opening act, the country singer joined the band onstage during their Toronto concert Wednesday to perform “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

Stapleton and Axl Rose shared lead vocals on GN’R’s rendition of the Bob Dylan classic, with Stapleton
— in town for his own Toronto show Thursday night at Rogers Stadium, the same venue as GN’R’s gig — also providing rhythm guitar as Slash embarked on a lengthier-than-usual solo:

Watch: GUNS N' ROSES Joined By CHRIS STAPLETON For 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' Performance In Toronto - BLABBERMOUTH.NET

Roughly a decade ago, Stapleton served as Guns N’ Roses’ one-off opener at the band’s concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium concert in July 2016. “When I was a kid, if you’d have told me I’d be up here playing before Guns N’ Roses, I’d have called you a liar,” Stapleton told the crowd that night.

 

In addition to winning over GN’R fans, Stapleton was also “summoned” backstage to meet Rose himself, who he called “a gentleman.” “[Rose] was great. Very polite and gracious, and we got to say hi for a few minutes,” Stapleton told Rolling Stone in July 2016. “I’m sure he was tired and had to go get cleaned up before the buses or planes rolled out, but he was a gentleman, and we had a brief conversation about music and both went on our way. It was a good night.”

 

Stapleton also made an impression on Slash, who later invited the country singer to appear on his 2024 solo album, Orgy of the Damned, with Stapleton providing vocals on a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well.”

SOURCE: rollingstone