Hey there, rock fans! Let’s talk about Erin Everly, the muse and former wife of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose. You might know her as the inspiration behind one of the most iconic rock songs in rock history, ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine.’ The song’s opening lines, ‘She’s got a smile that it seems to me / Reminds me of childhood memories,’ are said to be about Erin. But there’s so much more to her story than just being Axl’s muse.
Everly’s life has been a wild ride filled with extraordinary experiences and turbulent relationships. So, without further ado, let’s dive into five things you may not know about the intriguing woman who inspired ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ and managed to capture the heart of one of rock’s most notorious frontmen.
1. Axl Rose Punched David Bowie After A Jealousy Fit
Get this: Axl Rose actually punched David Bowie once! It all went down on October 10, 1989, when Bowie showed up at the video set of ‘It’s So Easy.’ Apparently, he was paying too much attention to Erin, Axl’s girlfriend at the time. Well, Axl didn’t like that one bit, so he punched Bowie and kicked him off the set. However, instead of holding a grudge, Bowie apologized, and the two of them went out for a night of drinking at the China Club. Talk about a wild story, huh?
2. Erin Everly’s Screaming Was Allegedly Featured In A Great White Song
Now, Erin and Axl’s relationship was definitely rocky, and their friends and the public knew it. But did you know that Erin’s screaming was allegedly used in a Great White song? Yup, the band supposedly used a recording of Erin trying to fend off punches from Axl on their ‘Psycho City’ album. This chilling revelation only goes to show how tumultuous their love story was.
3. Her Dream Turned Into A Nightmare
Things took a dark turn in March 1994 when Erin testified against Axl, accusing him of assault and sexual battery. She revealed some disturbing details about their relationship, like how Axl removed all the doors in her apartment so he could always keep an eye on her.
But it gets weirder: Erin also claimed that Rose thought he was possessed by the spirit of John Bonham, Led Zeppelin’s late drummer. He even accused her of killing their children in a past life as Native Americans! These mind-blowing allegations led to a lawsuit, which was eventually settled out of court.
4. Erin Everly Sold The Memorabilia From Their Relationship
You might find this interesting: In December 2013, Erin auctioned off a bunch of stuff from her time with Axl. The sale, held by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, included candid photos of Axl, love letters he wrote to Erin, handwritten song lyrics, clothing he wore in music videos, and even their marriage certificate. The auction was part of an event called ‘Icons and Idols 2013: Rock N’ Roll,’ which also featured a guitar owned by Jerry Garcia.
5. Axl Rose Wasn’t The Only Rockstar She Dated
After her separation from Axl, Erin moved on and dated quite a few famous celebs. Her list of ex-boyfriends includes David Arquette, Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan Jerome Leitch (son of singer-songwriter Donovan), Matthew Nelson, and Matthew Klyn. Seems like she’s got a thing for rock stars, huh?
Bonus: She Comes From A Famous Family
Did you know Erin comes from a super-talented family? Her dad, Don Everly, was part of the legendary duo, the Everly Brothers. Her mom, Venetia Stevenson, was an actress. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Erin grew up in a well-reputed family that was deeply connected to the entertainment industry. Talk about being born into the world of rock ‘n’ roll and showbiz!
She Was More Than A Muse!
So there you have it, folks! Erin Everly’s life has been an incredible whirlwind of rock ‘n’ roll adventures, unforgettable experiences, and stormy relationships. As the muse of one of the most iconic frontmen in rock history, her story offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of rock legends and the often tumultuous world they inhabit. And while we all know her as the inspiration behind ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ it’s clear that there’s so much more to Erin Everly than just being Axl Rose’s ex-wife.