Instrument: Bass.
Bands before GN'R include: Dogbreath, The Replacements (1979 - 91), Bash & Pop, Perfect.
Other Info:  

The spiked-hair, charismatic punk rocker of GN'R, Tommy Stinson, was born on October 6, 1966 in Minneapolis, MN. In 1979, 18-year-old drummer Chris Mars and 20-year-old guitarist Bob Stinson recruited Bob's 12-year-old brother Tommy to join Dogbreath in the basement of the Stinson house. They then recruited lead singer and guitarist Paul Westerberg. Later they became The Replacements. From their beginnings as an unreal hardcore band in 1979 until their breakup in 1991, the Replacements managed to make some of the rawest and uncompromising rock music of the 1980s. The band earned a reputation for being one of the finest and unpredictable live acts of the 1980's by putting on many drunken, punk-influenced shows.

Their first four albums, Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981), Stink (1982), Hootenanny (1983), and The Shit Hits the Fans (1984), were composed of sounds essentially like Ramones-derived punk, but with even more charm, humor and craft. In 1984, the band released the breakthrough album, Let It Be, whose songs served as the bridge between the band's hardcore days and the more melodic and soul-searching songs. Let It Be brought the band so much success that they eventually signed with a major record label, Sire, in 1985.

Under their new label, they released a few more albums, all of which had lost some of their classic punk sound and seemed more polished and articulate than previous records. A number of incidents managed to alienate the band from their major label home, including losing a guest slot on Saturday Night Live and making un-airable videos for MTV. Booze and cocaine usage were reportedly plentiful among the band members. Their attitude was no longer considered enlightened, but a nuisance. In 1986, Tommy's brother Bob, parted ways with the band due to problems of drug usage.

In 1987, the remaining trio released Pleased To Meet Me. With pressure from Sire wanting the band to make a "hit" album, they released Don't Tell A Soul, which contained their only hit single, "I'll Be You." In 1990, after many complications with the band, Paul released a solo album, All Shook Down, under the Replacements name, due to pressure from the record label to release a "Replacements" album. The band announced their official breakup on July 4, 1991. It has been said that Tommy didn't get one nickel from The Replacements.

Later, Tommy went on to form the band, Bash & Pop, and released Friday Night Is Killing Me in February 1993 and toured throughout 1993. In February 1995, Tommy's brother and former band mate, Bob Stinson, died of "wearing himself out over the years of substance abuse" at the age of 35. In 1996, Tommy released an EP titled When Squirrels Play Chicken with his band, Perfect, in which he played guitar. Also in 1996, he was featured on Paul Westerberg's solo album, Eventually. In 1997, Tommy was featured on Puff Daddy's "It's All About The Benjamins (Rock Remix)."

In early 1998, Axl Rose called up the former Replacements bassist while he was still in Perfect and offered him the empty position in Guns N' Roses. Tommy accepted gratefully, bought a copy of Appetite For Destruction, learned the bass lines, and seems to be now a permanent member of Guns N' Roses. Also in 1998, he was featured on the Cracker album, Gentlemen's Blues. In 1999, he played on the GN'R track, "Oh My God," which was released on the End Of Days Soundtrack. He has played two performances with Guns N' Roses and will be featured on the upcoming album, Chinese Democracy, and he'll support the upcoming tour.