W. Axl Rose (born William Bruce Rose, Jr. on February 6, 1962) is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of rock band Guns N' Roses. Rose grew up in Indiana in a troubled family environment. His love of music was fostered by singing in church, participating in school chorus and studying piano, but his numerous run-ins with the police and activities as a teenager led to his leaving home at a young age. After moving to Los Angeles in 1982, Rose fronted various local bands, eventually forming Guns N' Roses with former L.A. Guns bandmate Tracii Guns.