Rick Rubin recalls declining to produce Guns N’ Roses’ debut album

What was said

"I was asked to produce Guns and Roses's first album and I turned them down because I went to see him live, played in a little club in a basement, maybe 30 people there, and they were they were a hair band at the time with makeup and stuff and I just looked like I don't really get it."

Rick Rubin recalls being asked to produce Guns N’ Roses’ first album but turning it down after seeing an early basement-club show. He says the band came across as a make-up-wearing “hair band” at the time, and argues it was for the best because his involvement might have changed their direction.