Guns N’ Roses Reunion Rumors Quashed by Festival Promoter

It sounds like Guns N' Roses fans hopeful for a reunion of the classic lineup will need to continue exercising a little patience.

Perhaps sparked by the recent news that ex-GNR guitarist Slash is on friendly terms again with bandleader Axl Rose, last week saw the circulation of a rumor that the group's Appetite for Destruction lineup would reconvene to perform at the 2016 Soundwave Festival in Australia next January.

Unfortunately, it sounds like that was just wishful thinking — at least according to Soundwave promoter A.J. Maddah, who tells Music Feeds that as fun as it's been for him to indulge in the fantasy of hosting one of rock's most long hoped-for reunions, he has to point out the obvious: Getting those guys back together would take a long time and a lot of lawyers.

"It’s been nice for me personally to share this fantasy for a few days along with the fans but it is not happening for SW16," said Maddah. "I sure hope those guys do get back together again, as there has never been — or, as far as I am concerned, ever will be — such a potent force for rock 'n' roll than the original GNR in full flight."

That being said, Maddah has been around long enough to understand the complex negotiations involved in something like this. "If it does happen, it is going to take longer than six months for the band to be ready to tour," he pointed out. "I think it’ll take a hundred lawyers six months just to get the five of them into a rehearsal room together. ... But if by a miracle it does happen, then of course, I’ll throw everything I can to be involved. It would be my last act as a promoter — after that, I’ll have nowhere to go!"

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