What is the birth name of bassist Duff McKagan?

Duff McKagan’s birth name is Michael Andrew McKagan. He was born on February 5, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, and later became the bassist of Guns N’ Roses.

McKagan grew up as the youngest of eight children in Seattle’s University District. He was called “Duff” from toddlerhood, a nickname he has described as having an Irish connection. Before joining Guns N’ Roses, he played in several Seattle punk groups and developed a style influenced by punk and hard rock bassists.

In 1984, McKagan moved to Los Angeles and answered a newspaper advertisement seeking a bass player. That led him to guitarist Slash and drummer Steven Adler; after a short-lived project called Road Crew, the three musicians became part of the classic Guns N’ Roses lineup.

McKagan remained with Guns N’ Roses during its breakthrough years, including the albums Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion. He left in 1997, pursued projects including Velvet Revolver and Loaded, and rejoined Guns N’ Roses in 2016.