Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew recently shared his thoughts on Guns N’ Roses’ cover of their song ‘Hair Of The Dog.’ He explained his reservations about the version that appeared on GN’R’s album ‘The Spaghetti Incident?’ The comments were featured in Louder Sound.
Agnew reflected on Guns N’ Roses’ early dedication as fans and their later approach to covering Nazareth’s material.
“Even before they [Guns N’ Roses] became a recording band, we did six shows in California and they came to each one,” Agnew said. “Years later, when they were huge stars, they also showed up in the front row at one of our gigs in Winnipeg – headbanging and jumping up and down.”
However, the bassist expressed concerns about how the band approached their cover version.
“Their [GN’R’s] version was a bit of a copycat thing; they didn’t try to make it their own,” he continued. “We always try to add our own personality to our covers, but that was never the point with them – Axl had always wanted to sing Son Of A Bitch. He wanted to sound like [Dan McCafferty].”
The cover appeared on Guns N’ Roses’ 1993 album of cover songs. It showcased their interpretation of the classic Nazareth track.
Agnew’s comments highlight the significance of the original track and the band’s enduring legacy in rock music. The song holds special importance in Nazareth’s catalog and represents a pivotal moment in their career trajectory.
KIRO 7 reported that “Hair of the Dog” was released in 1975 as part of Nazareth’s album of the same name, which reached the Top 20 of the Billboard 200. The album marked a breakthrough moment for the Scottish rock band. It cemented their standing as rock legends and established their mainstream success in the United States.
The 1975 release proved to be a defining moment for Nazareth’s career. 102.9 WMGK noted that the “Hair of the Dog” album also featured the ballad “Love Hurts,” which became a top ten hit on Billboard’s Hot 100. This dual success helped establish Nazareth as a significant force in rock music during the mid-1970s. It showcased their versatility beyond hard rock anthems.
The band’s foundation and longevity add context to Agnew’s perspective on covers and artistic interpretation. KIRO 7 documented that Nazareth was founded in 1968 by Dan McCafferty and Pete Agnew alongside guitarist Manny Charlton and drummer Darrell Sweet. The band’s sustained career spanning decades reflects their enduring presence in rock music. This is evidenced by their continued touring and the Winnipeg performance mentioned in Agnew’s comments.
Agnew’s criticism of Guns N’ Roses’ approach to covering “Hair of the Dog” stems from his band’s philosophy of reimagining songs rather than simply replicating them. His comments suggest that while he appreciated GN’R’s dedication as fans, he felt their cover lacked the creative interpretation that Nazareth brings to their own cover versions.
