Axl Rose has admitted he doesn’t know why Izzy Stradlin won’t rejoin Guns N’ Roses.
The 54-year-old guitarist left the band in 1991, six years after being one of the founding members of the rockers.
Now, with most of the original line up reuniting for a tour for the first time since 1993, frontman Axl, also 54, says he can’t understand why Izzy won’t be a part of it.
Speaking to Brazilian news show ‘Fantástico’, the singer said: "I don’t really know what to say about Izzy. It’s like you could have a conversation and think it’s one way, and the next day it’s another way. And I’m not trying to take any shots at Izzy. It’s just his thing is kind of his thing, whatever that is."
The original line up – which consisted of Izzy and Axl, joined by Slash, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler – was also notably missing 51-year-old drummer Steven, who has played sparingly on tour due to injury.
Axl said: "I have no idea. When this started, Steven had just had back surgery and stuff, so I don’t have any idea about that."
With Izzy absent from the line up of the ‘Paradise City’ hitmakers, Richard Fortus, 49, has been filling in on guitar. Frank Ferrer, who has been a member of the band since 2006, is on drums in the absence of Steven.
The continued lack of support from Izzy comes after the manager of the ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ musicians confirmed their tour would extend into 2017.
Speaking previously, he said: "I’ve been told there is no end date. I’ve seen plenty of date going into next year, far into next year.
"Everybody’s working together to keep a common goal and common direction – keep the machine going."