Fans still hoping to see the entire Appetite For Destruction-era Guns N’ Roses lineup reform for the band’s forthcoming reunion tour may not be using their illusion after all.
Former Gunners manager Alan Niven has given an interview, revealing insider info that the Estranged members of the iconic band may yet be rejoining the roster.
Speaking with radio show Holmberg’s Morning Sickness, Niven indicated that the band’s original rhythm guitarist and all-around badass Izzy Stradlin has written new music with his former bandmates, and may yet be joining them for their 2016 Coachella headline slot and subsequent reunion tour.
“Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water,” Niven said, describing the axeman as “the magic factor” and “absolutely crucial to Guns N’ Roses”.
He continued: “I think he’s [even] written with them,” adding that the writing has taken place “recently”.
Founding GN’R members Slash, Duff and Axl Rose have all been confirmed for the band’s reunion, but it’s been widely reported that the re-glued lineup will be filled out by Chinese Democracy-era members, including multi-instrumentalist Chris Pitman, rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardist Dizzy Reed (who spans both past & present incarnations of the band).
Duff’s wife Susan Holmes-McKagan has also left the door open regarding Stradlin’s return, replying “never say never” to an Instagram comment saying “No Izzy? That’s sad” (below).
And that’s not all. Former Poison manager Howie Hubberman has also backed up reports that original drummer Steven Adler is in negotiations to rejoin the band as well.
According to Ultimate Guitar, That Metal Show host and heavy music authority Eddie Trunk (who also recently broke the sad news about Lemmy Kilmister’s death to the world) says several sources have told him that the guys are working on a deal to include Adler as a part of the story, and Hubberman has also corroborated the goss.
He said on Facebook: “Negotiations are not finished. They are doing this the right way! Right way would include Steven (in some way).”
Either way, with Coachella 2016 on the horizon and a US stadium tour to follow, we’re likely to find out more about the identity of the full Guns N’ Roses reunion lineup soon.
All we need is just a little Patience.
Listen to Alan Niven’s full radio interview below (he chats about Izzy around the 16 minute mark).
STADIUM TOUR !!TOLD YA !!!!! Posted by Howie Hubberman on Tuesday, December 29, 2015