On This Day in 1991, Axl Rose Sparks Chaos in Missouri as Guns N’ Roses Concert Erupts into Violent Brawl
via Tristanio / YouTube
The Riverport Riot Begins
On July 2, 1991, at the Riverport Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, Missouri, Guns N’ Roses were playing their hit “Rocket Queen” when frontman Axl Rose spotted a fan with a camera. Frustrated by the lack of action from security, he shouted, “Take that! Take that! Now, get that guy and take that!” When no one responded, Rose leaped into the crowd to grab the camera himself. Rose declared, “I’ll take it, goddamnit!” taking matters into his own hands.
After emerging from the crowd, Rose returned to the stage and told the band, “Thanks to the lame‐ass security, I’m going home!” before smashing his mic and walking off. Guitarist Slash added context by announcing, “He just smashed the microphone. We’re outta here,” which enraged the audience. With their departure, a riot erupted. Fans began throwing objects, tearing down barricades, and damaging equipment—leading to over 60 people being injured and about $200,000 in damages.
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Riot Aftermath
St. Louis authorities charged Rose with inciting a riot, but final legal action came later; a judge ruled he didn’t directly start it. The class-action civil suit ended with Rose paying around $160,000 to the fan whose camera he seized. The band was barred from performing in the city again until July 27, 2017.
Rose later defended his actions by blaming poor security. He noted that staff allowed knives, bottles, and cameras into the venue, leaving band security helpless. The official security team denied these claims, saying they had done their job properly.
Long-Term Impact
The riot had wide effects. It led to canceled shows in Illinois and Kansas City, as band gear was destroyed and needed repair. On tour since January 1991, the Riverport riot became one of the most infamous incidents of the Use Your Illusion Tour—where Axl was known for late starts, band departures, and riots.
This violent event remains a dark moment in rock history—when a single leap for a camera sparked a night of chaos and major consequences.
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