Bob Dylan Told Guns N’ Roses to Cover His Song For the Money – Screamin’ Scott
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, for a movie called, “Billy the Kid,” became a worldwide hit, reaching the Top 10 in several countries. Dylan’s most popular song, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” has been covered by over 150 artists like Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, and Guns N’ Roses, and more. It was ranked number 190 in 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine, in their 500 Greatest Hits of All Time.
Guns N’ Roses covered the song for their “Use your Illusions II” album in 1991. Now, the fun part on how Guns came around to covering the Bob Dylan classic.
Bob needed the money. Dylan had requested that Guns N’ Roses cover his song for the money it would bring him. This didn’t mean he approved of the version Guns N’ Roses recorded. He didn’t care. Bob Dylan likes Slash as a guitar player but thought their version lacked something. It makes you wonder what Paul McCartney thinks of the Guns version of, “Live and Let Die.” I like both versions of the song. It’s like a tribute to the era that they were released. As for Bob Dylan? Think he’s doing just fine financially as he is still known as, “Lucky,” in the Traveling Wilbury’s. The greatest super group ever made.
