During their show at London’s O2 Arena last night (October 14), former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose and the new GN’R onstage. McKagan played bass on the song “You Could Be Mine” while he later joined the band on guitar for “Nice Boys” (a Rose Tattoo cover) and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (a Bob Dylan cover). He also returned during their encore set to play tambourine on “Patience.”
This marks the first time McKagan and Rose shared the same stage with each other since 1993. This performance does not, though, mark the first time Mr. Rose has “reunited” with a member from the classic GN’R lineup. Original guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined Axl and the new incarnation numerous times in 2006 (I was lucky to catch their first “reunion” performance in 2006 during the band’s four date run at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City). But before you let the idea of a full blown reunion of the classic GN’R lineup get to your head, remember the less than kind words Rose had for original guitarist Slash in a 2009 interview with Billboard. Plus, both Slash and drummer Matt Sorum have revealed that Velvet Revolver (which McKagan is also a member of) are back on the look for a new singer. Granted, a reunion isn’t impossible, but don’t get your hopes up.
Both Guns N’ Roses and Sebastian Bach (because where ever the new GN’R goes, the former Skid Row frontman apparently goes) upload pictures of Duff’s performance via Twitter (including the one seen above). You can check out more of the posted pictures, and videos of the performance, over at Blabbermouth. However, you can also watch Duff performing “You Could Be Mine” with the new GN’R right below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCwmralOA1w&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
