Steven Adler is an American musician who has an estimated net worth of $10 million. He is best known as the original drummer of Guns N’ Roses, one of the most successful rock bands to emerge from the 1980s. Adler played on the band’s landmark albums Appetite for Destruction and G N’ R Lies, contributing to a catalog that became hugely successful around the world.
Adler’s time with Guns N’ Roses ended in 1990 after his struggles with heroin addiction affected his ability to work with the band. His departure was followed by legal action and a settlement that included a $2.25 million payment and an agreement giving him a share of royalties from the music he recorded with the group.
After leaving Guns N’ Roses, Adler continued working in music through several bands and projects. He later appeared on television and in films, published a memoir and returned to the stage with his former Guns N’ Roses bandmates. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the other members of Guns N’ Roses.
| Steven Adler Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Date of Birth | January 22, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Career | Musician |
Early Life
Steven Adler was born Michael Coletti on January 22, 1965, in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother, Deanna, was Jewish-American, while his father, Michael, was Italian-American. He has an older brother named Kenny.
After his father left the family, Deanna moved with her children to Los Angeles. She later married Melvin Adler, who adopted Steven and his brother. The family eventually welcomed another son, Jamie.
Adler spent his early years in the San Fernando Valley before moving to Hollywood to live with his grandparents when he was 13. During his school years, he became friends with Saul Hudson, who would later become famous as Slash.
Adler developed an interest in music during his teenage years and eventually learned to play drums. His friendship with Slash would later become an important part of his musical career.
Steven Adler and Guns N’ Roses
Adler returned to Hollywood in 1983 and auditioned for the metal band London. After he was not selected, he and Slash formed their own group, Road Crew.
Duff McKagan later joined Road Crew after responding to an advertisement placed by Adler and Slash. The band eventually broke up because they could not find a suitable lead singer.
Adler briefly joined Hollywood Rose, the group led by Axl Rose and featuring guitarist Izzy Stradlin. In 1985, Adler, Slash, Rose, Stradlin and McKagan came together to form Guns N’ Roses.
The band signed with Geffen Records in 1986 and released Appetite for Destruction in July 1987. The album became a major commercial success and eventually reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Appetite for Destruction featured some of Guns N’ Roses’ most famous songs, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Paradise City.” The album became one of the best-selling debut albums in music history.
Guns N’ Roses followed the album with G N’ R Lies in 1988. The record reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and included the hit song “Patience.”
Adler’s work with the band played a major role in establishing its early sound. His drumming became part of the foundation of the band’s classic recordings.
Why Steven Adler Left Guns N’ Roses
Adler’s struggles with heroin addiction eventually affected his relationship with Guns N’ Roses. He was briefly fired in 1990 but was allowed to return after agreeing to stop using drugs.
However, his addiction continued to interfere with his ability to record with the group. During work on “Civil War,” Adler struggled to perform the song, contributing to the band’s decision to remove him.
He was formally fired from Guns N’ Roses in July 1990.
His departure marked the end of his original run with one of the most successful rock bands of the era, but Adler continued pursuing music after leaving the group.
Lawsuit and Royalties
Adler later took legal action against his former Guns N’ Roses bandmates. The dispute involved his departure from the band, his recording contributions and royalties.
The case was settled outside court in 1993. Adler received a reported $2.25 million in back payments. The agreement also gave him 15% of the royalties from music he had recorded before his departure.
The settlement became an important part of Adler’s finances after his Guns N’ Roses career ended.
Music Career After Guns N’ Roses
Following his departure, Adler reformed Road Crew with singer Davy Vain and other musicians. The group recorded an album and attracted interest from major record labels, but it eventually broke up.
In 2003, Adler joined Suki Jones. The group was later renamed Adler’s Appetite because of its focus on songs from Appetite for Destruction.
Adler’s Appetite released a self-titled EP in 2005 and later released Alive in 2012. Adler also performed on Slash’s 2010 solo album.
In 2011, he formed the band Adler. The group released the album Back from the Dead in 2012.
These projects allowed Adler to continue earning income from live performances, recordings and his connection to the Guns N’ Roses catalog.
Steven Adler’s Guns N’ Roses Reunion Performances
Adler returned to the stage with Guns N’ Roses in 2016. He performed with the band during several stops on its Not in This Lifetime… Tour, including shows in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Nashville and Buenos Aires.
His appearances gave fans an opportunity to see one of the original members perform with the band again.
Adler’s Appetite also reunited in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of Appetite for Destruction.
Television and Film Career
Music has been the main source of Steven Adler’s fame, but he has also appeared in television and film projects.
He became a cast member of VH1’s reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, appearing in 2008 and again in 2011. He also appeared on the show’s spin-off, Sober House, in 2009.
His film credits include Beyond Desire, Dahmer vs. Gacy and What Now.
In 2010, Adler published his memoir, My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N’ Roses. The book detailed his experiences with Guns N’ Roses, his struggles with addiction and his life in the rock music industry.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
One of the biggest honors of Adler’s career came in 2012 when Guns N’ Roses was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Adler was inducted alongside his former bandmates, recognizing the contribution of the original Guns N’ Roses lineup to rock music.
The induction also reinforced his place in the history of one of the most influential rock bands of the late 20th century.
Awards and Recognition
During Adler’s time with Guns N’ Roses, the band received major industry recognition.
Guns N’ Roses earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance for G N’ R Lies in 1990. The group also won a Billboard Music Award for Top Pop New Artist in 1988.
The band received several MTV Video Music Award nominations and won Best New Artist in a Video for “Welcome to the Jungle” in 1988. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” won Best Heavy Metal Video in 1989.
Guns N’ Roses also won American Music Awards for “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Appetite for Destruction and Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist.
In 2011, Adler and his co-stars from Dahmer vs. Gacy won Outstanding Cast Performance at the Action on Film International Film Festival.
Personal Life
Steven Adler was married to Cheryl Swiderski from 1989 to 1990. He later married Carolina Ferreira in 2002.
His personal life has also included several highly publicized legal and health-related incidents connected to his long-running struggles with substance abuse.
In 1995, Adler was arrested for heroin possession. The following year, he suffered a stroke and was briefly placed in a coma after taking a combination of drugs. He later experienced temporary paralysis on the left side of his face.
He also faced legal problems in the late 1990s, including domestic violence and battery cases.
In 2019, Adler was hospitalized following an incident at his Los Angeles home. Authorities said the matter was treated as a medical emergency rather than a criminal case.
Real Estate
Steven Adler has also invested some of his wealth in real estate.
In 2015, he reportedly paid $1.337 million for a home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles. The property measures more than 2,700 square feet and has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The property forms part of Adler’s assets and contributes to his overall financial position.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
