Guns N' Roses performed at The Ritz Theatre in New York City on July 2, 1988, during a pivotal moment in their career, shortly after the release of their debut album, "Appetite for Destruction," which came out in March of the same year. This album was instrumental in establishing the band's presence in the rock music scene, featuring iconic tracks like "Welcome to the Jungle," which is highlighted in the referenced recording. By the time of this live performance, Guns N' Roses had begun to garner significant popularity, thanks to their raw sound and energetic live shows. The concert at The Ritz is notably one of the early opportunities for fans to experience the band's intense stage presence, amplifying their reputation as one of the most electrifying rock acts of the late '80s. The performance also underscores the band's rising status and foreshadows their larger success in the coming years.