Vocalist Axl Rose and co-founding guitarists Slash and Duff McKagan are again sharing the stage in one of the most anticipated reunion tours in rock music’s history.
Reports said the other original members, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin and drummer Steven Adler, are not part of the tour. But Rose, Slash and McKagan will be reportedly accompanied by long-time Guns N’ Roses member Dizzy Reed and other members of the band’s Chinese Democracy lineup.
A short video posted on the band’s website listed 20 U.S. cities and Toronto, Canada as the rockers’ tour destinations. But the announcement does not include the dates and venues.
Guns N’ Roses earlier announced they are participating in the famous Coachella music event in Indio, California in late April. The band reportedly stands to earn at least $14 million for two appearances at the festival.
Rose, Slash and McKagan will start their reunion in Las Vegas via a two-night stint at T-Mobile Arena on April 8 and 9 with Alice In Chains serving as special guest. They are also scheduled to hold a pair of concerts in Mexico City.
The 21 dates include performances in Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI, Houston, TX, Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; New York; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; St Louis, MO; Toronto, ONT; and Washington, DC.
While many expect the reunion tour to be one of the biggest in rock n’ roll history, some wonder how long Rose and Slash, after more than 20 years of bad blood, can manage to stay together. Slash had left Guns N’ Roses in 1996, citing differences with Rose.
“With Guns N’ Roses, we’re kind of talking about nuclear fusion here,” Larry Miller, head of the music-business program at New York University, told The Wall Street Journal. “It could hang together for a couple dozen dates—or not.”
The tour announcement came amid reports that Rose is being tapped by the legendary AC/DC to replace frontman Brian Johnson, who was forced to temporarily leave the band due to hearing problems.
Formed in Los Angeles, California 31 years ago, Guns N’ Roses exploded into the rock n’ roll scene through their debut album, Appetite For Destruction, released in 1987. The album, which carries the number one hit “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” went on to sell about 30 million copies worldwide.
Original members Rose, Slash, Stradlin, McKagan and Adler – along with later recruits Reed and Matt Sorum – were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 during Guns N’ Roses’ first year of eligibility.
