Izzy Stradlin explains Guns N’ Roses absence

izzy stradlin and axl rose
Stradlin and Rose in 1989 (Image credit: Getty)

Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin has said he’s not part of the band’s reunion lineup for financial reasons.

And he’s called Axl Rose’s explanation of the situation “bullshit.”

His comment comes after the frontman suggested he wasn’t sure why Stradlin had declined to rejoin for their Not In This Lifetime tour.

Earlier this month Rose said: “With Izzy, that’s just something I can’t really describe. I don’t know what to say. You can have a conversation and think it’s one way, then the next day it’s another way.

“I’m not trying to take any shots at Izzy. It’s just, his thing’s his thing, whatever that is.”

Stradlin has responded with a tweet that reads: “Bullshit. They didn’t want to split the loot equally. Simple as that. Moving right along…”

His barely-used Twitter account opened in February with the comment: “At this point in time I’ve no involvement in the upcoming Guns N’ Roses shows.”

The guitarist, real name Jeffrey Dean Isbell, co-wrote many of the band’s most successful songs before leaving in 1991.

He was replaced by Gilby Clarke, who last month said of the current band lineup: “It’s really just Axl, Slash and Duff. I don’t know if you can really call it a reunion.

“Myself, Matt Sorum, Izzy – it didn’t happen as a reunion for us all to join. I think if the time was right and the situation was right, everybody would come back and do it.”

Guns N’ Roses commence a tour of South America in October, followed by dates in Japan, New Zealand and Australia. It’s thought they’ll add further appearances to their schedule in due course.

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Guns N’ Roses Not In This Lifetime tour dates

South America

Oct 27: Lima Estadio Monumental, Peru
Oct 29: Santiago Estadio Nacional, Chile
Nov 01: Rosario Estadio Rosario, Argentina
Nov 04: Buenos Aires River Plate Stadium, Argentina
Nov 08: Porto Alegre Estadio Beira-Rio, Brazil
Nov 11: Sao Paulo Allianz Parque, Brazil
Nov 12: Sao Paulo Allianz Parque, Brazil
Nov 15: Rio de Janeiro TBC, Brazil
Nov 17: Curitiba Pedreira Paulo Leminski, Brazil
Nov 20: Brasilia Estadio Nacional, Brazil
Nov 23: Medellin Estadio Atanasio Girardot, Colombia
Nov 26: San Jose Estadio Nacional, Costa Rica

Japan

Jan 21: Osaka Kyocera Dome,
Jan 28: Tokyo Saitama Super Arena
Jan 29: Tokyo Saitama Super Arena

New Zealand

Feb 02: Wellington Westpac Stadium
Feb 04: Auckland Western Springs Stadium

Australia

Feb 07: Brisbane QSAC Stadium
Feb 10: Sydney ANZ Stadium
Feb 14: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Feb 18: Adelaide Oval
Feb 21: Perth Domain Stadium

Opinion: Why Izzy Stradlin was the heart of Guns N' Roses

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.