The key question though is if these people are reliable and dependable COMPARED TO THE EXISTING OPTIONS.

Richard Fortus - Currently serving his 15th straight year in GNR. Has never resigned from the band. Does not do drugs. Has put up with everything Axl's way fuss free since day one. Mostly keeps his mouth shut to the media. Overqualified guitar ability wise for the rhythm section. Already knows every song. Only other work has been as a professional session/touring guitarist - until recent bike accident had never cancelled or missed any type of show for anyone. This guy defines professional musician.

Frank Ferrer - 10 years under Axl's rule in modern GNR. No drug use. Has demonstrated professional loyalty to the band such as finishing a show with a broken foot (Australia).

And the alternatives:

Izzy: Obviously the most legit GNR guy out there - but has a history of doing what suits himself. Bailed on the UYI tour back in the day, has made guest appearances from time to time since then, but never for a serious length of time - just when he feels like doing a show or two. Is known to "blow off" stuff when the bullshit meter gets too high - did this during UYI recordings - and many other Izzy associates tell similar stories - such as that one where he said he was going to get a drink during rehearsals for his own band - and just walking out and not returning at all. No one knew if he would come to the hall of fame or not. Also bailed on VR when he didn't want a singer. Get the impression is difficult to contact too as he might be at home one day then walking the sahara the next. Most of his projects appear to be part time or informally organised. Cool guy but basically hasn't demonstrated any willingness to go back into Axl's world full time or put up with the way things would be or do anything of this scale. He's showed up a few times cos it was fun and he felt like it and he can. Not dissing him - just saying - if you are Axl and making a choice...can he rely on Izzy to do a 20+ date tour and put up with whatever GNR tout drama may occur?

Steven - one of the most notorious junkies in Rock and Roll. Let them down so much in the past they actually fired him even when half the rest of the band at least were on drugs themselves! Has had one of the most storied attempts at trying to get clean and failing more times than anyone can count. Never put up with Axl being in charge even back in the day and seems to be relatively erratic still ("I love the new band. Great Guys. Fucking Scabs that arn't GNR"). Basically shows little chance of being an obedient employee. Duff doubts he is clean now. Has the worst record of staying clean in the band - a band which includes notorious junkies and substance abusers like Slash!

So look, of course all the fans want the real GNR and Izzy and Steven for that reason, but are we really doubting that it's not a reliable choice for Axl? Have a look at those 4 guys resumes and life histories and tell me which two you would put your faith in if you are plotting a "massive project".

In my opinion any media complaints about the lack of Izzy or Steven is hipster nonsense equating to the usual music snob "only their first albums are good" type stuff. If the reunion was all 5 guys it was transform into complaints about their age.

In my opinion there's three groups of fans here:

1. a handful of genuine fans that actually care - hard core izzy fans - the type of people who have all his solos albums and actually listen to them - you know who you are - there's some on this board from memory - but it's pretty underground in real life. Izzy isn't exactly well known anymore really.

2. Mainstream GNR fans who might prefer izzy if asked but really only care about Axl and Slash.

3. Hipsters who will find a way to hate this reunion to prove their knowledge.

Yeah i could see them doing a bit of co-shredding as part of a jam at the end of the song.

Remember in the live version of VR's "Set Me Free" Slash used to trade leads with Dave over the main riff - Dave would really let out all these fast runs too that he doesn't do as a rhythm player. I could see something similar happening. Maybe some slash/fortus jams over a cover or something...we know the old new band (lol) used to let fortus do like 5 kohd solos so that's a possibility.....

Also - i've seen Slash do rhythm parts when he's playing with other name guitarists or playing a song that doesn't suit his style.

I saw a while back on social media Fortus said Slash had asked him to join his band once....so I think there's a bit of mutual respect.

Indeed...for a quy that's so famous Slash is by most accounts very humble and very nice, but his work ethic is almost pathological. It's cool for fans because it means we get so much....but at the same time sometimes I wonder if he's actually afraid of not-pushing forward...I guess he knows what keeps him off junk....but I do wonder for his family...like between the constant touring and his other businesses I wonder if he is ever home lol