Abu Dhabi – June 17, 2025 — Rock legends Guns N’ Roses unleashed a bombshell at the Etihad Arena on Tuesday night that sent shockwaves through the music world — a surprise, first-time-ever live performance of the New York Dolls’ gritty anthem “Human Being” from their often-overlooked 1993 covers album The Spaghetti Incident?. And yes, it was as raw, rebellious, and raucous as fans had dreamed it would be for more than three decade
The electrifying reveal came during the band’s Middle East leg of their world tour, and it has already been hailed by fans as one of the most unforgettable moments in Guns N’ Roses’ recent history. The 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi was buzzing with energy, but nothing could prepare the audience for what was about to happen halfway through the sho
THE MOMENT THAT SHOOK THE ARE
As Slash’s unmistakable Les Paul growled to life and Duff McKagan stepped up with a punk-laced bass groove, fans began exchanging looks of confusion — until Axl Rose, dressed in a black leather trench and red bandana, growled into the mic with the ferocity of a man possesse
> “I’m a huuuuman beeeing
The crowd erupted into ch
Yes, it was that song — the New York Dolls’ snarling classic from 1974 — and Guns N’ Roses had never played it live before. Not in ’93. Not in the years since. Not even during the height of their experimental Use Your Illusion era. This was a pure, unexpected tribute to the band’s punk-glam influences—and fans immediately knew they were witnessing something histori
A 31-YEAR WAIT ENDS IN FI
“Human Being” was one of the lesser-known gems from The Spaghetti Incident?, an album that polarized critics but thrilled die-hard Gunners. Axl and company used the record to pay homage to the punk and glam bands that shaped their sound—Dead Boys, Fear, The Damned, UK Subs, and of course, the New York Doll
But while other tracks like “Ain’t It Fun” and “Hair of the Dog” made it into live rotations, “Human Being” was left to simmer in obscurity—until no
“We’ve been sitting on this one for a long damn time,” Axl said to the crowd after the song ended, sweat pouring down his face. “It’s time you heard it the way we meant it — loud, ugly, and f**king real
The reaction? A standing ovation that lasted nearly two minute
FANS LEFT STUNNED: “I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THIS DA
Social media exploded within minutes. Clips of the performance flooded X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, with fans screaming, crying, and jumping in disbelie
> “I’ve followed GNR since 1987. This is the greatest setlist surprise I’ve ever seen. ‘Human Being’ LIVE?? Are you kidding me?” — VelvetRevolverFan
> “Only GNR can make a 30-year-old deep cut feel like the most dangerous song in the world again.” — Appetite4
> “I was THERE. The ground shook. Slash looked like he was possessed. I’ll never forget it.” — concertgoer Am
Even critics who once dismissed The Spaghetti Incident? are eating their words. Music journalist Tom Davies twee
> “This is why Guns N’ Roses remain essential. They can dust off a B-side punk cover and make it the climax of a stadium show
A NOD TO LEGENDS — AND A WARNING TO THE INDUST
By choosing to perform “Human Being” now, GNR not only honored the glam-punk trailblazers of the ’70s — they also delivered a defiant message to a modern music industry obsessed with perfection and polis
“Human Being” isn’t a pretty song. It’s snarling, it’s ragged, it’s got attitude dripping from every line. Just like Guns N’ Roses. And delivering it in a pristine arena in one of the world’s wealthiest cities? That’s classic GNR irony — and rebellio
SLASH AND DUFF: BACK TO THEIR ROO
While Axl delivered the fire, it was Slash and Duff who gave “Human Being” its unholy power. Slash tore through a distorted solo that wasn’t in the original recording, adding a venomous twist to an already aggressive track. Meanwhile, Duff’s punk pedigree (remember his time with Ten Minute Warning?) was on full display as he nailed the bassline with the swagger of Johnny Thunder
“Playing this song brings us back to our roots,” Duff told backstage press after the show. “Before GNR, we were those kids listening to the Dolls, to Iggy, to Fear. This is our DNA
WHAT’S NEXT: WILL “HUMAN BEING” STAY IN THE SETLIS
Fans are now begging for more. With the surprise success of “Human Being,” rumors are already swirling that the band might add more rare cuts from The Spaghetti Incident? to the rotation. Some are even speculating about a full mini-set dedicated to the albu
Axl, however, remains characteristically crypti
“All I’ll say is… you never know what’s coming next,” he smirked during the encor
THE LEGACY CONTINUES — LOUDER THAN EV
Thirty-eight years since their debut, Guns N’ Roses continue to prove they’re not just a nostalgia act. They are living, breathing chaos, always ready to throw a curveball and ignite the fire of rock and roll where you least expect i
And in Abu Dhabi, on a humid Tuesday night, they made history again—not with a new single, but with a forgotten track that just burned a hole in the soul of every fan lucky enough to witness i
This was more than a concert. This was a resurrectio
And “Human Being” has never felt more alive
[Photos and fan videos from the night are still trending—search GNRAbuDhabi for the full experience!]—.n.t.t.ER—e.c.m.T?—.”s.TS—n.h.RY
—.”ted:l R.Axls89f.Y”—s..”w.s.RE—c.aos.…”d:NA—w.s.
!]—.n.t.t.ER—e.c.m.T?—.”s.TS—n.h.RY
—.”ted:l R.Axls89f.Y”—s..”w.s.RE—c.aos.…”d:NA—w.s.Photos and fan videos from the night are still trending—search GNRAbuDhabi for the full experience!]
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