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Chris Stapleton Just Joined Guns N’ Roses—and Somehow It Makes Perfect Sense

Chris Stapleton Just Joined Guns N’ Roses—and Somehow It Makes Perfect Sense

Photo: Associated Press


Put Chris Stapleton onstage with just about anybody and chances are it’s going to work.

But Chris Stapleton joining Guns N’ Roses?

Now you have our attention.

Stapleton recently joined the legendary rock band during its Canadian tour stop for a surprise performance of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

Yes, that “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

The song was originally written and recorded by Bob Dylan in 1973, but Guns N’ Roses introduced it to an entirely different generation with their massive rock version in the early ’90s.

Stapleton’s gravelly voice fits pretty comfortably between those two worlds.

The collaboration happened during a show where Stapleton was already sharing the bill with Guns N’ Roses, and he joined Axl Rose, Slash and company onstage for the classic.

It’s also another example of why Stapleton has become one of country music’s great musical wild cards.

He’s unmistakably country, but his voice works just as naturally with blues, Southern rock and soul. Over the years, he’s performed alongside everyone from Justin Timberlake to Stevie Wonder, while Slash has previously appeared on Stapleton’s music.

And apparently country fans weren’t the only ones enjoying this one.

Reaction from Guns N’ Roses fans online was largely enthusiastic, with plenty of people wishing Stapleton had been given an even bigger vocal part.

Maybe next time they just hand Chris the microphone and let him loose.

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