Doug Goldstein, the longtime former manager of Guns N' Roses, has died at the age of 65. The news was announced on June 25 by Brandon Weissler, host of the Guns N' Roses podcast Appetite for Distortion. No cause of death has been shared.
Weissler paid tribute to Goldstein, describing him as much more than a manager. "He was a friendly ear, a supportive voice and a sensitive man," Weissler said. "You don’t survive 17 years with Axl Rose by accident. In many ways, he saved Axl’s life."
Goldstein entered the Guns N' Roses circle around the 1987 release of Appetite for Destruction. He started as a tour manager and later became co-manager alongside Alan Niven before taking over as manager in 1991. He remained involved through the Use Your Illusion era and into the early Chinese Democracy period.
Alan Niven, who later fell out with Goldstein, called the death "very sad" and said he would light a candle for him. Goldstein is survived by his sons Jake and Eli. Guns N' Roses are currently on their 2026 world tour.