Erin Everly: The Untold Story of Axl Rose’s Muse
Introduction
Being a rockstar’s wife can bring both fame and fortune, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. Erin Everly, the woman for whom Axl Rose penned Guns N’ Roses’ iconic hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” experienced the highs and lows that come with being the muse of a troubled rock star. From her early days as the daughter of rock ‘n’ roll legend Don Everly to her tumultuous relationship with Axl Rose, this is the untold story of Erin Everly.
Erin Everly Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about Erin Everly:
- Full Name: Erin Everly
- Birth Date: November 8, 1965
- Birth Place: Los Angeles
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Parent: Don Everly; Venetia Stevenson
- Children: Eres Portman, Easan Everly, Esper Portman
- Siblings: Edan Everly and Stacy Everly
- Partner/Spouse: Axl Rose (1990-1991); Jack Portman (1996-2006)
- Occupation: Model, Actress
- Best Known For Her role in the “Sweet Child O’ Mine” music video
- Net Worth: $1.6 million (as of November 2022)
The Success and Troubles of the Everly Family
Erin Everly was born into a family deeply rooted in the music industry. Her father, Don Everly, was one half of the legendary rock ‘n’ roll duo, the Everly Brothers. However, despite the success of the Everly Brothers, Erin’s family story was far from glamorous.
The Everly family experienced their fair share of troubles, with Erin’s parents divorcing in 1970 due to her father’s drug addiction and a decline in his career. As a result, Erin and her siblings went from a life of luxury to a more average upbringing. Her mother, Venetia Stevenson, who had quit acting after marrying Don, struggled to provide the same lifestyle working as a clothing designer. Don Everly, despite his fame, was not financially supportive, and Erin’s memories of her father are clouded with both good and bad moments.
As a teenager, Erin’s life took a different path, and she aimed to establish her fame in the entertainment industry.
The Everly Family Legacy
The Everly family holds a special place in the history of rock music. Don and Phil Everly, Erin’s uncles, were the first to popularize harmony singing and record catchy acoustic guitar riffs. Even before Don and Phil, their father was a renowned guitar player who inspired the likes of Chet Atkins.
Erin’s connection to one of the most iconic rock songs of all time, “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” is a testament to the Everly family legacy. The story of the Everly family is not only fascinating for fans of their music but also provides valuable insights into the birth of rock music in the 1950s.
Erin Everly’s Career Beginnings
Erin Everly embarked on her modeling career at the young age of 16. In 1980, she moved to New York City to work for the Wilhelmina agency, where she appeared in various print and TV ads. Before her modeling career took off, she even worked for her father’s company.
However, Erin’s most significant breakthrough came when she starred in the “Sweet Child O’ Mine” music video and appeared as herself in Guns N’ Roses’ video compilation, “Welcome to the Videos.” She also appeared in another Guns N’ Roses video for the song “It’s So Easy,” although it was never officially released due to explicit scenes between her and Axl Rose.
The Passionate and Troubled Relationship with Axl Rose
Erin Everly’s life took a dramatic turn when she met Axl Rose at a local party in Los Angeles in 1986. At the time, neither of them was famous, with Axl still striving for success as a local musician, while Erin had only just begun her modeling career.
Their relationship started strong, and Erin quickly moved to LA to be closer to Axl. Despite their different backgrounds, with Erin growing up in the rock ‘n’ roll world and Axl still yearning for fame, they were deeply in love. Those close to the couple, such as Marc Canter, a friend of Slash’s, noted that Erin was more than just a groupie and genuinely cared for Axl.
However, their relationship faced challenges when Guns N’ Roses released their breakthrough album, “Appetite for Destruction,” in 1987. Suddenly, the private couple became the subject of media attention. And Erin’s appearance in the “Sweet Child O’ Mine” music video solidified their status as a showbiz couple.
Troubled Relationship, Marriage, and Divorce
As their relationship progressed, the dark side of their passionate love affair began to surface. Erin Everly alleges that Axl Rose was physically abusive throughout their relationship, even causing her to quit modeling. She claimed to have lied to the police about the abuse and endured violent incidents witnessed by others.
Despite their tumultuous relationship. Erin and Axl decided to marry in Las Vegas on April 28, 1990, after dating for four years. However, their marriage was short-lived, lasting only ten months. The abuse continued, and tragedy struck when Erin suffered a miscarriage four months into their marriage. She was left to deal with the emotional and financial burden of the loss on her own.
The court battle between Erin and Axl in 1994 shed further light on their troubled relationship. Erin testified that Axl had injected her with heroin and cocaine, leading to a near-fatal cardiac arrest. Axl Rose also faced legal trouble with his ex-fiancée, model Stephanie Seymour, who accused him of abuse. Both cases were settled privately, leaving the full truth unknown.
Erin Everly’s Second Marriage and Scandal
Following her divorce from Axl Rose, Erin Everly married Jack Portman, the vice president of Portmann Holdings, in 1997. The couple had three children together, but little is known about their life as Portman preferred to keep their family away from the media’s attention. Their marriage came to an end after nine years.
In 2010, Erin found herself at the center of a scandal when she was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly threatening her new boyfriend with a knife. This incident further added to the complexities of Erin Everly’s life in the public eye.
Erin Everly’s Life Today
After the 1990s, Erin Everly retreated from the public eye to provide her children with a normal life away from the spotlight. The most recent news about her came in 2013 when she auctioned off artifacts from her life with Axl Rose. Including love letters, T-shirts, their wedding video, and even more personal items like their marriage certificate and a hospital bracelet.
FAQs
Did Axl Rose Fight David Bowie over Erin Everly?
According to Slash’s biography, Axl Rose and David Bowie had a confrontation over Erin Everly. Axl, feeling jealous of Bowie’s attention towards Erin, exchanged blows with him during the filming of the “It’s So Easy” music video. Axl even threatened Bowie, saying, “I’m gonna kill you, Tin Man.” However, their animosity didn’t last long, and they eventually became friends.
What Guns N’ Roses Songs Did Erin Everly Inspire?
While Axl Rose is not widely known for writing love songs, some of Guns N’ Roses’ biggest hits were inspired by his relationship and fallout with Erin Everly. In addition to “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Which was directly dedicated to Erin, songs like “November Rain” and “Bad Obsession” were also influenced by their tumultuous love affair.
Who did Erin Everly Date after Breaking Up with Axl Rose?
After her divorce from Axl Rose, Erin Everly dated several other famous individuals, including Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Meathly Nelson, Mathey Klyn, and David Arquette. She later married Jack Portman in 1997.
Conclusion
Erin Everly’s life as Axl Rose’s muse was a rollercoaster of fame, abuse, and tragedy. From her beginnings as the daughter of rock ‘n’ roll royalty to her modeling career and turbulent relationship with Axl Rose, Erin’s story is a testament to the complexities of life in the music industry. Today, she chooses to live a private life, focusing on raising her children away from the spotlight. The impact of Erin Everly on Axl Rose and Guns N’ Roses’ music will forever be etched in rock ‘n’ roll history.
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