2016.01.08 - 98KUPD Holmberg’s Morning Sickness - Interview with Alan Niven (& related articles)

Article with excerpts, Ultimate Classic Rock, January 9:
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Izzy Stradlin May Be Involved in the Guns N’ Roses Reunion, According to Former Manager

As of now, only Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan have been confirmed as taking part in the Guns N' Roses reunion. However, it's quite possible that a fourth member of the band's original lineup, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, could wind up joining them.

Speaking to John Holmberg of 98KUPD in Phoenix, Alan Niven, who managed Guns N' Roses from 1986 until shortly before the release of Use Your Illusions I and II, spoke about Stradlin's involvement. Calling him the "magic factor that's gone missing" and that without him, the reunion is "Velvet Roses," he said, "Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water. He doesn’t like all the palaver and drama."

Although Niven didn't say whether or not that would happen, he did say that Stradlin has "written with them...recently."  It's possible he's referring to the news we reported back in August about Stradlin and McKagan collaborating on "How to Be a Man," a song from the EP which served as a companion to McKagan's book, How to Be a Man (And Other Illusions). Stradlin's last album was 2010's Wave of Heat. Recent unconfirmed rumors have also suggested the group is assembling two new songs for a forthcoming greatest hits album.

Niven also shared some insight into the circumstances that led to the dissolution of the original lineup. He recalled a dinner Rose had with David Bowie. "Over the course of dinner," Niven said, "he told Axl that the reason why he and Mick Jagger were so successful was that they were businessmen first and artists second." He thinks that Bowie's advice "probably did more damage to Guns N' Roses and myself than I could possibly estimate."

Towards the end of the interview, Niven reveals what he wants most from the reunion. "My genuine wish is, for one thing, that Slash reclaim legacy under the [Guns N' Roses] logo," he said. "I want him to be happy [...] He places a lot of value on what he's spent a lot of time building on his own." But more importantly, he just hopes "they enjoy themselves. And on top of that, I hope that a lot of people go out there and go see a damn good rock n' roll show, and remember what great rock n' roll shows were about."

Earlier this week, Guns N' Roses confirmed the reunion will take place at the Coachella Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 16 and 23. It is believed that Slash and McKagan will join the current lineup, which includes guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman. And while Stradlin has not yet said anything about wanting to take part, original drummer Steven Adler is reportedly negotiating for a role. So far, the reunion is limited to Coachella, although a full-scale tour is rumored to be in the works.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/izzy-stradlin-guns-n-roses-reunion/

Ultimate Guitar, January 9, 2016 (also contains additional information):
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Report: Izzy Stradlin Has Written New Music With GN'R, Will Rejoin the Band Along the Line

Manager Alan Niven says Izzy isn't into "all the drama."

Former Guns N' Roses manager Alan Niven said that guitarist Izzy Stradlin will be taking part in the reunion after all, but will only make it official once the dust settles a bit.

Alan told Holmberg's Morning Sickness: "Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water.

"He doesn't like all the drama. He's written with them, recently."

Additionally, former Poison manager Howie Hubberman backed up the latest report about drummer Steven Adler being in negotiations to rejoin the band.

As reported, host Eddie Trunk said that several sources have told him that the guys are working on a deal to include Steven as a part of the story as well.

Anyhow, Hubberman now noted that the guys are indeed working on an Adler deal.

He said on Facebook: "Negotiations are not finished. They are doing this the right way! Right way would include Steven (in some way)."

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/report_izzy_stradlin_has_written_new_music_with_gnr_will_rejoin_the_band_along_the_line.html

Another article with additional information; Musicfeeds, January 11, 2016:
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Former Guns N’ Roses Manager Says Izzy Stradlin May Be Involved In The Reunion

Fans still hoping to see the entire Appetite For Destruction-era Guns N’ Roses lineup reform for the band’s forthcoming reunion tour may not be using their illusion after all.

Former Gunners manager Alan Niven has given an interview, revealing insider info that the Estranged members of the iconic band may yet be rejoining the roster.

Speaking with radio show Holmberg’s Morning Sickness, Niven indicated that the band’s original rhythm guitarist and all-around badass Izzy Stradlin has written new music with his former bandmates, and may yet be joining them for their 2016 Coachella headline slot and subsequent reunion tour.

“Izzy will sit on the sidelines until he feels like he wants to get his toes in the water,” Niven said, describing the axeman as “the magic factor” and “absolutely crucial to Guns N’ Roses”.

He continued: “I think he’s [even] written with them,” adding that the writing has taken place “recently”.

Founding GN’R members Slash, Duff and Axl Rose have all been confirmed for the band’s reunion, but it’s been widely reported that the re-glued lineup will be filled out by Chinese Democracy-era members, including multi-instrumentalist Chris Pitman, rhythm guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardist Dizzy Reed (who spans both past & present incarnations of the band).

Duff’s wife Susan Holmes-McKagan has also left the door open regarding Stradlin’s return, replying “never say never” to an Instagram comment saying “No Izzy? That’s sad” (below).

And that’s not all. Former Poison manager Howie Hubberman has also backed up reports that original drummer Steven Adler is in negotiations to rejoin the band as well.

According to Ultimate Guitar, That Metal Show host and heavy music authority Eddie Trunk (who also recently broke the sad news about Lemmy Kilmister’s death to the world) says several sources have told him that the guys are working on a deal to include Adler as a part of the story, and Hubberman has also corroborated the goss.

He said on Facebook: “Negotiations are not finished. They are doing this the right way! Right way would include Steven (in some way).”

https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/former-guns-n-roses-manager-says-izzy-stradlin-may-involved-reunion/