“When I was a kid I saw a poster of Jimi Hendrix, and it was the Monterey Pop poster where he is playing his white Stratocaster in his blue outfit,” Clarke recalled. “And I thought he was the coolest looking human being I’d ever seen. ‘I don’t know what that guy is, but I want to be that guy – only without the afro.’”Gilby is a true fan of rock n’ roll, and was most influenced by the Beatles, Rolling Stones & David Bowie. His guitar playing favorites are Jimmy Page, Mick Ronson & Rick Derringer.

He scored some modest success upon arriving in Hollywood; playing guitar and singing with a band called Candy and then formed his own band, Kill for Thrills. After the somewhat fluffier sounds of the 1980s began to subside, harder rock was once again finding its way to the fore; Clarke’s band was a forerunner. Kill for Thrills would lay down a sound that Clarke would continue to build upon for the next two decades.

Appetite for Destruction

In late 80s, Guns N’ Roses blew up on the strength of their album Appetite for Destruction, which eventually sold 28 million copies and almost single-handedly brought harder rock back into vogue. And so it seemed a natural fit a few years later, after guitarist Izzy Stradlin abruptly quit that the band asked Clarke to join the massive Use Your Illusion tour. He had always known he was a rock n’ roll lifer. But almost overnight he went from being in relative obscurity to rock star in one swoop.

Guns N' Roses is among 15 finalists for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Votes will be cast by a group of more than 500 musicians and industry professionals; of the 15 nominees, the five that get the most votes will be announced in January and inducted into the Hall Of Fame at its 27th annual ceremony on April 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum. Guns N' Roses was nominated in its first year of eligibility. "It's a great honor," Clarke stated "The band deserves it. It was a long time coming." .