Except that elsewhere in the article, they flat-out ask Duff and he claims that they haven't had contact with Axl and that Weiland was being "paranoid". Ironic, really, since it's Weiland who went behind his bandmates' backs to reunite with his old group...

As I've said, it is as far as the wider ticket-buying public are concerned - and they're the people whose opinions count. As long as Axl's up there with Slash, most people will consider it a GN'R reunion - in the same way that they considered the UYI-era band GN'R, even though Izzy and Steven had both been replaced. Duff's also reasonably essential (as part of that UYI-era band). As an "additional musician" on the UYI tour, Matt's ultimately disposable, but likely to come as part of a package with Slash and Duff. Adler is... unlikely, to put it mildly.

That leaves the rhythm guitarist spot. In an ideal world, it'd be Izzy, but we already know he prefers "dropping in" for guest spots to a full-on tour. Slash might simply insist that "Axl joins Velvet Revolver", and that Dave comes along. Gilby is pretty unlikely, having not had contact with either camp for a decade. I imagine/hope that we'd get Fortus, and if there was an album to follow, Izzy would stick around as a songwriter and contribute to the album.

Yes, it'd be lovely to see the AFD-era GN'R reunite (of course, they're not the original GN'R...), but I think we have to accept that if a reunion happens, it won't be that line-up touring. If you're realistic about it, you're less likely to be disappointed.

Yeah... on the three guitarists thing, it struck me that a Fortus/Slash/Kushner line-up might work. Neither of them is in any danger of overshadowing Slash, but Fortus could do all the shredding and Kushner could make the weird experimental noises. And it'd maintain the VR/GN'R balance in the band.

I dunno, I guess I just think Bumblefoot doesn't quite fit as Fortus in a classic-style GN'R. I love the guy - Normal's one of my favourite records - but he doesn't quite have the right vibe.

I mentioned over on Chinesedemocracy.com the interesting point that you only really need Slash and Axl up there to bill it as a "reunion". Most rock bands have two iconic members - usually the singer and lead guitarist (but not always; for the Chilis it's Flea and Kiedis). The other members can be replaced, but the Stones wouldn't be the Stones without Mick and Keef, Queen isn't Queen without Freddie and Brian, Oasis can still get away with calling themselves Oasis as long as Liam and Noel are there... and GN'R is, in the eyes of the general public, Axl and Slash. Which is ironic, since Izzy was arguably more important to the band than Slash.

I don't think Slash would be willing to simply replace Finck; his ego wouldn't let him step back while Bumblefoot played the November Rain outro, for instance. He wouldn't want to be a mere "employee" of Axl, so he'd want Duff to come along at least.

Axl, for his part, wouldn't want to deal with a united front of the former members of VR, so would want some of his people along to maintain the balance of power within the band. Thinking about it logically...

Duff and Slash join Axl. Izzy declines to get involved in a tour, but agrees to take on songwriting duties on the album, and guests on tour (Slash said, IIRC, that Scott was the major stumbling block to using Izzy's material for Velvet Revolver). Fortus stays on board - he knows the songs, none of his solos would encroach on Slash's, and he has fantastic stage presence. Possibly, Fortus's old mucker Frank stays on board (or Matt comes with Duff and Slash). Dizzy (and Pit(t)man?) stick around on keyboards.

If Slash were to come back... they'd have to re-record Chinese Democracy. Again. FFS.