Guns N’ Roses reunion official?
Just as Rock Music Menu was going to press, Billboard confirmed what has been speculated for months: Guns N’ Roses would be reuniting for a series of gigs to take place in 2016, beginning with an appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April.
While multiple outlets have reported on the buzz surrounding the reunion, this is the first time a mainstream media outlet has reinforced rumors with its own independent sources.
Hints have been abounding that this would be happening since a late-August reveal from guitarist Slash that he and Axl Rose had ended their bitter feud that stretched over two decades.
Cryptic messages have filled the official Twitter account of the band and that of bassist Duff McKagan, who is also said to be taking part in the upcoming shows, which are slated to hit 25 or more stadiums across North America next summer.
The latest clues came in the form of the logo on the official Guns N’ Roses website, which over the weekend reverted to the original two guns facing opposite directions with roses wrapped around them framed by the infamous yellow GNR circle.
Then, much to the surprise of theatergoers attending the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, there was a trailer of sorts before the movie featuring a stadium audience whipped into a frenzy as Rose’s famous intonation, “You know where you are?!” is punctuated by the opening notes of “Welcome to the Jungle” followed by Rose screaming, “You’re in the jungle baby! Wake up! Time to die!”
Other than Slash and McKagan, it’s unclear who else will be part of the lineup. Guitarist Izzy Stradlin has long been averse to touring and all the hype and frenzy that came with it. Original drummer Steven Adler was the first to be kicked out of the band due to his drug use, and it’s been surmised that he wouldn’t be able to handle such an ambitious tour. His replacement, Matt Sorum, would be the obvious next choice, but then again, nothing is obvious when it comes to Guns N’ Roses.
More to come.