Many have wondered if Axl Rose and Slash’s new found friendship might lead to a reunion of the Guns N’ Roses’ classic lineup. A number of recent comments from people “in the know” have done little to suggest otherwise.
In an interview with a St. Louis radio station last week, GNR’s current guitarist Richard Fortus declared that 2016 will be “a big year” for the band. He stopped short of providing any specifics — however, when pressed whether or not he is the only guitarist in the band at the moment, he insinuated that not to be the case. As previously reported, the band’s other two guitarists, DJ Ashba and Bumblefoot, announced their departure in July.
Meanwhile, an Australian promoter named James Young has told TripleM radio that Guns N’ Roses is rumored to be headlining the country’s Soundwave Music Festival next year. “I heard the most amazing rumor this week, from a very well-informed heavy hitter in the Australian music industry,” Young explained. “So what mega band could it be? I heard on Wednesday night that it would be Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Slash and Axl Rose – the reformation of the original 1987 Appetite For Destruction Guns N’ Roses!”
Eddie Trunk, host of That Metal Show which has featured Axl Rose as a guest, also believes a reunion is in the works. In the latest episode of his podcast, Trunk said he reached out to Slash’s management in the wake of his recent comments and was told the media had blown things out of proportion. However, that could all just be publicist spin to avoid spoiling the news early. Trunk himself said he thinks a reunion will happen eventually (via Blabbermouth).
For their part, members of GNR’s classic lineup have kept silent since Slash’s comments went viral. However, earlier this year, Slash said he would be open to such a reunion, telling CBS This Morning, “Never say never.” McKagan offered similar comments in an interview with a Florida radio station, saying, “It could happen.” So, it would appear the decision rest in the hands of one W. Axl Rose. Hopefully he chooses wisely.
Below, watch a clip from this week’s episode of Rock it Out! Blog in which the panel discusses the rumors and shares what they’ve heard from insiders.
