Guns N’ Roses April Reunion Won’t Include Izzy Stradlin
The founding member says he won’t be joining Axl, Slash & Duff onstage or in the studio.
Guns N’ Roses are doing their best to reunite the band’s classic lineup, but for now, the legendary hard rockers’ 2016 incarnation won’t include founding member Izzy Stradlin.
“At this point in time, I will not be playing at any of the April 2016 GNR shows,” the guitarist told Rolling Stone on Tuesday (March 1) via email. “I’ve also not been in the studio recording or writing with any of the others recently,” he specified. “There is so much speculation, but so very little info, [that] I thought I should reach out.”
Theoretically, the fact Stradlin specifies “April 2016 GNR shows” could leave the door open down the line (they are expected to expand their tour beyond the current six-date itinerary), though for now, this leaves Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan as the only “classic” members on board.
It is also notable that Stradlin calls attention to alleged Guns N’ Roses studio sessions. Previously, these had been rumored through sources like former Slash publicist Arlett Vereecke and former GN’R manager Alan Niven, who even said Stradlin joined them in the studio. However, Guns N’ Roses has given no official word on a new studio album to accompany the tour.
So far, the band has confirmed six 2016 concerts, all in April: two in Las Vegas, two at Coachella and two in Mexico City.
Stradlin quit Guns N’ Roses in 1991 but has been onstage with them a few times since, notably at their 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction