Who was the original drummer of Guns N' Roses?

Steven Adler was the original drummer of Guns N' Roses.

Adler joined the newly formed band in 1985 after previously playing with guitarist Slash in the group Road Crew. Along with Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, he helped complete the lineup that established Guns N' Roses in Los Angeles. The band soon became a fixture at venues including the Whisky a Go Go, the Roxy, and the Troubadour.

Adler played on the band's landmark debut album, Appetite for Destruction, released in 1987, and on G N' R Lies in 1988. His drumming contributed to the band's early hard-rock sound, while he also received songwriting credit on several songs, including “Sweet Child o' Mine.”

The common confusion comes from later drummers. Matt Sorum replaced Adler in 1990 and played on the Use Your Illusion albums, while Frank Ferrer joined decades later. Josh Freese was a later touring and recording drummer, not an original member.