Newsletters
Global rock icons Guns N' Roses have paid tribute to Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, a 15-year-old boy who was tragically stabbed to death in Kadikoy, ahead of their concert in Istanbul on June 2.
The band, known for hits like Sweet Child O' Mine and November Rain, shared a heartfelt video across their official social media accounts featuring their classic cover of Knockin' On Heaven's Door. The tribute was dedicated to Minguzzi, who had reportedly hoped to attend the Istanbul show at Besiktas Tupras Stadium.
Accompanying the video was a simple but poignant message: "Rest in peace." The post quickly resonated with fans both in Türkiye and abroad, with thousands expressing support and sorrow.
The band's gesture was widely praised by Turkish musicians and celebrities, many of whom shared the tribute on their own platforms. The emotional resonance of the moment was amplified by the reaction of Minguzzi's mother, Yasemin Minguzzi.
In a deeply moving Instagram post, she shared her own tribute to her late son using the band's ballad This I Love. "We will be together at the Guns N' Roses concert at Besiktas Stadium, my son," she wrote, posting a photo that captured her enduring love and heartbreak.
Tonight’s concert at Besiktas Tupras Stadium is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from across Türkiye and beyond. For many, the performance will carry an added layer of emotion, transforming the night into more than just a rock spectacle—it will be a shared moment of mourning and solidarity.
5 min read
