During a recent episode of Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon , former Guns N' Roses manager Alan Niven - who worked with the band from 1986 to 1991 - said he is willing to bet that the band will reunite with guitarist Izzy Stradlin on their recently-announced performance at the Louder Than Life festival.
As reported, the festival will take place in Louisville, Kentucky on September 27-29. It marks the first show the band has announced for the current year.
Before sharing his thoughts, Niven wanted to make it clear that "this is purely me sitting here with a cup of coffee and a smoke." He added (transcribed by UG):
"I'm not a betting man - I think gambling is the most ridiculous human occupation of all, but I would bet and I would gamble on this one.
"I would lay dollars to doughnuts that it's gonna be a genuine reunion and that they're hoping to get Izzy on stage, not just for a soundcheck, but for performance.
"And I think it's very much a, 'Let's see how it goes, let's see if Izzy's comfortable, and let's prep up for the next year.' I would definitely put five dollars that Izzy's going to be there."
Alan added that he "would be among the unsurprised if it turned out to be a genuine reunion of some sorts."
The manager was then asked two follow-up questions: "Does that include [drummer] Steven Adler?", and, "Is Izzy there for three songs and an encore or he does a three-hour set with the boys?". He replied:
"If I was Axl - I'd want it to be the sensation of the year, and the only way to be the sensation of the year, as opposed to Velvet Roses Pt. 2, is to have Izzy there for the full set and have Steven included there too.
"And again, if I were Axl, I'd have Izzy there for the full set - and I'd bring Steven on there for the encore, make the encore basically 'Appetite.'
"Can you imagine the reaction? GN'R playing for an hour and a half or something and then there it is, at last, for the first time since April 7, 1990, there's the band. Welcome to the motherfucking jungle, motherfuckers."
Via UltimateGuitar
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