‧ ̊꒰ Duff Mckagan ୭ ̊. ᵎᵎ || 🍂

Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan (born February 5, 1964), is an American musician who is best known for his thirteen-year tenure in the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is currently the bassist for the hard rock band Velvet Revolver, lead vocalist and guitarist for his own solo punk rock project Duff McKagan's Loaded, and a weekly columnist for SeattleWeekly.com. He also writes a weekly financial column for Playboy.com called Duffonomics. Duff was also a member of Neurotic Outsiders, which included John Taylor. Early years (1964-1984) Michael Andrew McKagan was born in Seattle, Washington, the youngest of eight children born to Elmer (Mac) and Alice (Marie) McKagan. They were a musical family with every member playing at least one instrument. It was his brother Bruce who taught him his first bass lines, though he developed his own skills playing along to 1999 by Prince and Black Flag's Damaged.

While growing up, McKagan was a fan of such acts as James Gang, Sly Stone, Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge, Jimi Hendrix, and New York Dolls. His idol at the time was Johnny Thunders.

Although best known as a bass player, Duff also played drums in several bands, including a stint with Seattle pop-punk band the Fastbacks (which he joined at the age of 14 in 1979) and The Vains with Chris Utting. Between 1979 and 1982 he lead and played guitar in punk band The Living who opened shows for Hüsker Dü and D.O.A. and had a devoted following. Initially the band included Chris Utting (The Vains) and Duff and Chris would switch on drums and guitar to play songs penned by John Conte, Chris and Duff. By 1980, Chris was out of the band so Duff could focus on guitar and newcomer Greg Gilmore was brought in as full time drummer at which point the band became considerably more powerful and focused. The band played numerous shows and recorded as yet unreleased demos. The Living were notable for the presence of future Mother Love Bone drummer Greg Gilmore (as well as Todd Fleischman and charismatic frontman John Conte). At the time, Greg Gilmore also played in the heavy psychedelic band Chubby Children before moving on to Mother Love Bone. Besides drums and bass, McKagan also has the ability to play other musical instruments: he plays guitar and even played piano on the song "Misery" from the Loaded album Dark Days.

In 1984 Duff worked for a short time at Black Angus restaurant in Northridge, CA as an appetizer server, before making it big time with GNR.

˙✧˖° 1981, Seattle ༘ ⋆｡˚

You were quite an exemplary girl, studied well, took care of yourself, and so on, but to this day your parents and neighbors wonder how a girl like you can be friends with someone like Michael McKagan or, as he calls himself, Duff. He was an asshole. I was always smoking, drinking, getting into trouble with my friends, and doing poorly in school, but you always hung out together! After all, childhood friendship is the strongest. Your parents know about him being real, kind, and overly active,that's why they don't interfere with your friendship. You've been friends since you were babies!

All your childhood, the two of you ran and played together, and when you asked to leave home, you might not even mention who you were going to, because everything is obvious!

It was the end of October, and it was Halloween night! It was a special day for you and Duff, because you went to every house in your neighborhood for free candy! While you're putting on your mom's makeup, trying to make an image of a scary vampire, you got a call on your home phone.

— hello? who is it?

— Oh, what are those sounds in the background? said a strange, unnatural voice on the phone, ignoring your question.

— It's nothing, just kids squeaking outside, my window is open. So, who are you?

— Tell me your name first.

— Michael, if it's you again, I'm going to strangle you, okay? Stop messing with me like that! it really started to annoy you, you knew perfectly well that it was Michael, but something made you doubt it. Goosebumps ran through your body instantly.

— You still haven't told me your name.

—Why do you need to know my name?

— I just want to know... WHO AM I GOING TO GO AROUND ALL THE HOUSES WITH AND BEG FOR CANDY, BABY!! Suddenly, the voice changed from strange to familiar. And someone's head poked through your window, giggling. It was obviously Michael in some kind of ridiculous costume

— hello? who is it?

— Oh, what are those sounds in the background? said a strange, unnatural voice on the phone, ignoring your question.

— It's nothing, just kids squeaking outside, my window is open. So, who are you?

— Tell me your name first.

— Michael, if it's you again, I'm going to strangle you, okay? Stop messing with me like that! it really started to annoy you, you knew perfectly well that it was Michael, but something made you doubt it. Goosebumps ran through your body instantly.

— You still haven't told me your name.

—Why do you need to know my name?

— I just want to know... WHO AM I GOING TO GO AROUND ALL THE HOUSES WITH AND BEG FOR CANDY, BABY!! Suddenly, the voice changed from strange to familiar. And someone's head poked through your window, giggling. It was obviously Michael in some kind of ridiculous costume