Michael Andrew McKagan grew up in Seattle's largely working-class University District, the youngest of eight children born to Marie and Elmer "Mac" McKagan. He has been called "Duff" since toddlerhood, to which he

On May 28, 1988, McKagan married his first wife, Mandy Brixx; the couple divorced on April 1, 1990. In September 1992, he married Linda Johnson; this too ended in divorce in September 1995. On August 28, 1999 he married Susan Holmes. They have two daughters together:

Solo albums
• Believe in Me (1993)
• Tenderness (2019)
with Guns N' Roses

• Duff McKagan's column on ESPN.com
• "Duff McKagan —Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?" Loudwire, June 3, 2015. —Video.
• What We Live For A true story on The Moth as told by Duff McKagan

1979–1985: Early years
In 1979, at the age of 15, McKagan formed the punk band The Vains, in which he played bass. During this time he performed under the stage name Nico Teen. The band released one single, "School Jerks", in 1980.

• It's So Easy *And Other Lies* – Touchstone 2011, ISBN 978-1-4516-0663-8
• How to Be a Man (And Other Illusions) – 2015

• Berelian, Essi (2005). The Rough Guide to Heavy Metal. Rough Guides. ISBN 978-1-84353-415-0.
• Canter, Marc (2007). Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction. Shoot Hip Press. ISBN 978-0-979-34187-8.