Guns N' Roses reunion not motivated by money

7 December 2016

Guns N' Roses guitarist Richard Fortus says Axl Rose and Slash didn't reunite just for the money.

Guns N' Roses

The 50-year-old rocker - who has been a part of the group since 2001 - doesn't think the 'Sweet Child O' Mine' singer and lead guitarist only got back together just for a pay packet otherwise they would have reunited years ago.

Asked if money was the motivation for their reunion, Fortus said: "No. Axl has been going on, on time for years before [the reunion]. It's been great. Is [money] the motivating factor for him? Absolutely not.

"I've never seen they guy motivated by money, as I've known him. Otherwise, this reunion would have happened a long time ago."

And quizzed on whether he thinks Slash's expensive divorce from Perla Ferrar in 2014 was why he rejoined the group, Fortus told radio station KSHE: "I don't know. Honestly, I don't think [money] was a motivating factor for anybody, other than the stars just seemed to align.

"We didn't have a bass player, we didn't have a guitar player. Really, that's how it sort of happened."

Meanwhile, Fortus also hinted that there could be new music on the way from the current line up of the heavy rock band - also comprised of Duff McKagan - that they are hoping to release.

He said: "We are messing with ideas every day.

"I mean, every day we do at least an hour soundcheck, and we'll play through different ideas, like new ideas, put stuff down on tape.

"It's really organic. And it happens ... Same in rehearsals - we were always putting down different ideas and getting stuff together and getting ready for that, yeah."

Fortus' comments come following the news that Guns N' Roses have extended their 'Not In This Lifetime Tour' to come to Europe and North American in 2017.

The American rockers have announced more than 30 stadium shows, kicking off on May 27, 2017 at Dublin's Slane Castle.

The group made the announcement on their Twitter page, with a video of the dates, along with the caption: "The Machine Is Back At It In 2017! #GnFnR #NotInThisLifeTime Tour ... (sic)"