Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

The Clever Deal Behind Guns N’ Roses Landing a Hit Music Video, Despite Getting an Arguably Terrible Time Slot

Guns N’ Roses were rejected by MTV when they submitted their “Welcome to the Jungle” music video, but they still became a huge hit.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

Guns N’ Roses is an undeniable pillar of 80s hair metal, like them or not. But that kind of fame doesn’t happen overnight. Or maybe it does, but only in specific circumstances. Like being relegated to the late-night slot on MTV.

The band’s 1987 debut album, Appetite For Destruction, spawned several hit music videos thanks to record-exec-turned-director Nigel Dick. He directed “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Paradise City”, and “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, arguably Guns N’ Roses’ biggest hits. In his September 2026 memoir Music Video Mischief, Dick details how working with GNR made his career. Even though he didn’t really understand them at first.

However, GNR’s manager Alan Niven pushed Dick to work with the up-and-coming rock band. He listened to “Welcome to the Jungle” over and over again, and it didn’t click. But Niven wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wanted this music video director for Guns N’ Roses. As Dick........

© Vice