Matt Sorum recently reflected on his time as the drummer for Guns N’ Roses and explained how his feud with Steven Adler was finally resolved. He shared his thoughts in an interview on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
The former Guns N’ Roses drummer discussed how his experience with the band shaped his career. He also addressed the reconciliation with his predecessor Steven Adler.
“I said this 10 years ago, I said something to the effect of, it’s like watching somebody else’s movie. I was there, but I look at it and I’m, like, it’s a bit of a dream — it’s like a dream sequence,” Sorum said. “And I’ve said this a couple times, and it’s come out in the press, that gave me legs for the rest of my career, that band. The amount of time I was in it, which was up until ’96, but still, that moniker lives with me, and it’s given me a level of cache that’s taken me around the world doing other things, if that makes sense.”
Sorum emphasized the lasting impact of his association with the legendary rock band on his musical credibility.
“And the credibility it gives me as a musician with other musicians, because it’s such a rock and roll moniker. It’s just such a strong stamp of approval, if you will,” he continued. “But, obviously, I got in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with ’em [in 2012], and I appreciated that nod. A lot of times in those situations with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, you have to be on an album to get inducted. So luckily I was on those records [‘Use Your Illusion I’ and ‘Use Your Illusion II’, both 1991], and ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’ [1994], that got me the approval of being part of that regime.”
The drummer then addressed his relationship with Steven Adler and how their past differences were resolved.
“Obviously [former Guns N’ Roses drummer] Steven Adler was there [at the Rock Hall] with me, and he was very gracious. We didn’t get along in the early days, but we worked it all out as older men,” Sorum explained. “So, I look back, in retrospect, with a lot of pride and happy I did it when it was at the highest level.”
Sorum concluded by praising frontman Axl Rose and reflecting on the band’s performances.
“[Guns N’ Roses singer] Axl Rose probably the greatest frontman of that era and probably years after. But I was on stage with them. I see videos pop up on Instagram. I’m, like, ‘Wow, we were pretty good.’ So, yeah, it was just great,” he said.
Sorum’s journey to Guns N’ Roses and his relationship with Adler represents one of rock music’s most significant drummer transitions during the band’s peak years.
Wikipedia reported that Sorum replaced Steven Adler in 1990 due to Adler’s ongoing drug issues that were affecting his performance and reliability. The transition came at a crucial time for the band, as they were preparing to record what would become their most commercially successful albums.
Before joining Guns N’ Roses, Sorum had established himself as a skilled drummer with The Cult. There he honed the powerful, hard-hitting style that would serve him well during his tenure with the legendary rock band. Encyclopedia.com noted that when Guns N’ Roses resumed recording in 1990, Adler was dismissed and replaced by former Cult drummer Matt Sorum. Keyboardist Dizzy Reed was also added to expand the band’s sound.
The drummer change proved pivotal for the band’s evolution. Sorum’s technical proficiency and reliability allowed Guns N’ Roses to complete their ambitious “Use Your Illusion” double album project. His contributions to these albums, along with “The Spaghetti Incident?”, secured his place in rock history and eventually led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates.
The reconciliation between Sorum and Adler that he referenced reflects the maturity both musicians have gained over the decades since their early conflicts. Their ability to work through past differences demonstrates how time and perspective can heal even the most challenging professional relationships in the high-pressure world of rock music.
