When Guns N' Roses released Appetite for Destruction in July 1987, few anticipated its eventual cultural dominance. The band had generated substantial industry buzz and secured a major record deal following competitive bidding, yet their raw, unpolished sound clashed sharply with the glossy pop-rock dominating radio and MTV at the time. Initial reception proved disastrous, with the album debuting far down the Billboard charts and selling only around 200,000 copies in its first months, prompting the record label to consider cutting its losses.

The trajectory shifted dramatically when MTV finally agreed to broadcast the 'Welcome to the Jungle' music video following weeks of persuasion by a Geffen executive, who negotiated a limited three-night trial run. The response was immediate and overwhelming, with viewers making it one of the most requested videos within days. Radio stations capitalised on this momentum, and the album began climbing steadily, reaching number one within a year. Ultimately, Appetite for Destruction became one of the best-selling debuts in history, with over 18 million copies sold in the United States alone, demonstrating that critical and commercial success do not always align at a work's initial release.