Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan, born February 5, 1964 in Seattle, Washington, is an American musician known for his role as a bassist. He began his musical journey at 15 with the punk band The Vains. In March 1985, McKagan joined Guns N' Roses, replacing bassist Ole Beich and achieving worldwide success with albums like Appetite for Destruction (1987), which sold over 28 million copies globally. He released his solo album Believe in Me in September 1993. After leaving Guns N' Roses in 1997, he formed Loaded. He contributed for other bands such as 10 Minutes Warning, Kings of Chaos, Neurotic Outsiders, Jane's Addiction, and Walking Papers. From 2002 to 2008, McKagan played bass in Velvet Revolver with Slash and Matt Sorum. He rejoined Guns N' Roses in 2016 following their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Alongside Guns N’Roses extensive touring, McKagan remained highly active musically and creatively. In 2019, he released the solo album Tenderness, produced by Shooter Jennings, which showcased a reflective Americana/folk-rock direction inspired by his experiences on the road and contemporary social themes. He continued collaborating with Jennings’ band for live performances in support of the album. In 2023, he issued another solo album, Lighthouse, with guest appearances by Slash, Jerry Cantrell, and Iggy Pop. McKagan supported the record with select live appearances while balancing Guns N’ Roses continued touring commitments. Two solo live recordings followed, Tenderness: Live in Los Angeles (2024), and Lighthouse: Live in London (2025).
