Lost Guns N’ Roses 1986 Demo Tape Discovered in UK Antique Store

Rare Recording from Band’s Early Days Found by Collector in Surrey

In a rock history twist no one saw coming, a long-lost demo tape from 1986 by legendary hard rock band Guns N’ Roses has been unearthed — not in a vault or private collection, but in a quiet antique store in Surrey, England.

The tape, labeled simply “GNR – Summer ‘86,” was discovered by an avid music memorabilia collector, Michael Thompson, while browsing vintage vinyl and audio equipment in a small, family-run antique shop. Tucked away in a dusty box of cassette tapes, the unassuming item turned out to be a pre-fame recording from one of rock’s most iconic bands.

Experts and longtime fans believe the tape dates back to the months leading up to the band’s explosive debut Appetite for Destruction, which would go on to define an era and sell over 30 million copies worldwide. According to initial reports, the demo includes raw, early versions of tracks like “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Nightrain,” and a previously unreleased instrumental jam titled “Shadow of the Snake.”

The store owner, who inherited the inventory from a deceased estate, had no idea the cassette was a rock relic. Thompson, who purchased the tape for just £8 (about $10 USD), sent it for professional verification shortly after realizing what he had found.

“It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it captures the hunger and chaos of early Guns N’ Roses,” said rock historian and archivist Dana Fields, who was part of the authentication team. “This is a time capsule from the days before fame hit — when they were just a group of reckless, talented misfits trying to break out of L.A.”

The demo has sparked intense interest among collectors, with some estimating it could fetch over $250,000 at auction. However, Thompson has stated he doesn’t plan to sell it just yet. “This isn’t just a piece of music history — it’s a piece of magic,” he told the NME.

As news spreads, fans are calling for the band to officially release the tracks or at least allow them to be archived for public access. So far, no comment has been made by the band or their management.

Whether it ends up in a private vault or on a remastered anniversary edition, one thing’s clear: even after nearly four decades, Guns N’ Roses still has the power to surprise the world.