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Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
Izzy Stradlin has blamed his non-involvement with the GUNS N' ROSES reunion tour on the fact that he and the other guys in the band were unable "to reach a happy middle ground through the negotiation process."
While GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" trek features the "classic era" lineup of singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan — with the occasional guest appearance by drummer Steven Adler — Stradlin has not taken part in any shows on the tour, with unconfirmed reports claiming that he turned down a five-figure fee to play with GUNS N' ROSES at the April 2016 reunion shows.
Although he has mostly avoided commenting publicly on his absence from the reunion lineup, the guitarist addressed his lack of participation in the GN'R reunion in a brand new statement to The Wall Street Journal. He wrote: "The current GN'R tour has been a great success for the guys. My nonparticipation was simply not being able to reach a happy middle ground through the negotiation process. That's life. Sometimes things don't work out."
Stradlin co-founded GUNS N' ROSES with childhood friend Rose in 1985. He was major contributor to the band's classic 1987 debut LP "Appetite For Destruction" and the two "Use Your Illusion" albums in 1991, but quit the group that same year. The guitarist has maintained a low profile over the years, resurfacing periodically to make several surprise appearances at GUNS N' ROSES shows, including during the band's residency in Las Vegas in 2012.
Rose told Brazil's Globo TV in a 2016 interview that wasn't optimistic about Stradlin rejoining his former bandmates. "I don't really know what to say about Izzy," Axl said. "It's like you could have a conversation and think it's one way and the next day it's another way. And I'm not trying to take any shots at Izzy. It's just his thing is kind of his thing, whatever that is."
In response, Izzy called Rose's comments "bullshit" and explained that the band didn't want to "split the loot equally."
Earlier this year, one-time GUNS manager Alan Niven claimed during an appearance on the "Appetite For Distortion" podcast that Stradlin came close to joining the "Not In This Lifetime" reunion tour on at least one stop.
Stradlin allegedly showed up for a soundcheck rehearsal in Nashville, but things fell apart at the last minute. Adler was there as well and did play — if Stradlin had performed, it would have been the first time the founding GUNS lineup played together in 26 years.
Niven explained: "Obviously, had it gone well and everybody had been happy, and there had been a little bit of brotherhood — I'm sure he would have stayed with it. But something must have really upset him, because he left after the soundcheck, and never turned up for another one or an appearance. I would think right now he's probably a little pissed off."
In his 2011 autobiography, "It's So Easy: And Other Lies", McKagan wrote that "Izzy was probably the most significant force" in the classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES. "Without his initial vision and songwriting cues, there would have been no GUNS N' ROSES."
Stradlin's last solo album, 2010's "Wave Of Heat", featured a guest appearance by McKagan.
Joining Rose, Slash and McKagan on the "Not In This Lifetime" tour are drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
The word is he and Adler were offered peanuts, and Izzy called BS.
meanwhile, Adler accepted the peanuts to pay for his drugs or rehab or whatever, and after that he couldn't keep his stupid mouth shut again. what a difference. I quite like Izzy's reaction. he knew this was going to be just a nostalgia money grab, and refused to get involved without proper payment. cool for me. much cooler than NITL.
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
I always loved Izzy...my favorite in the band just for his style and talents across writing and playing.
It’s a shame the sticking point was money - there should have been enough to go around....every time i Check the NITL tour is in the top 5 or 6 grossing tours.
Izzy’s job, amongst other things...was to had layers to the songs but also make slash sound even more killer than he already was...you have to see a little humility in that. In a band full of huge egos, he may have had the smallest of huge egos.
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
Izzy’s job, amongst other things...was to had layers to the songs but also make slash sound even more killer than he already was...you have to see a little humility in that. In a band full of huge egos, he may have had the smallest of huge egos.
IF he joined the NITL circus, I think he would still be in tandem with Fortus. there was no need to sack Fortus and it seems everyone is happy with him in the band - so it would remain 3 guitar thing, probably.
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
mitchejw wrote:Izzy’s job, amongst other things...was to had layers to the songs but also make slash sound even more killer than he already was...you have to see a little humility in that. In a band full of huge egos, he may have had the smallest of huge egos.
IF he joined the NITL circus, I think he would still be in tandem with Fortus. there was no need to sack Fortus and it seems everyone is happy with him in the band - so it would remain 3 guitar thing, probably.
Yea especially when you consider that Izzycould bail at any time.
- dalethirsty
- Rep: 20
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
the whole situation with izzy is a bummer.
the writing was on the well when he did a song about money with matt sorum of all people.
They can fight about it, money, some bag of gold.
They can fight about it, money, the big wheels roll.
And I’m taking the long way home today.
Really got no worries either way.
Cuttin’ deals, shakin’ hands,
hopin’ it feels, open plans.
They can fight about it, money, it’s just a bag of gold.
They can fight about it, money, feel the big wheels roll.
And I’m taking the long way home today.
Really in no hurry either way.
as much as i love him, the truth is izzy never would have worked as a full-time member of this massive touring machine.
he's much more suited for a one-off appearance at a big show. if we saw it with adler, it's possible we see it with izzy, but i'm not holding my breath.
Re: Izzy: "Sometimes things don't work out"
I agree Axl and Slash together were the big two.
That said, I imagine that as this tour eventually runs its course and loses steam the next logical way to get renewed interest (in the event new music doesn't happen, which appears to be the case), would be to have an AFD 5 tour.
Hit all those markets all over again and double dip on the $$'s. Maybe in that event there is more of a case to throw Izzy a bone with some meat still left on it??
