The Chaos Behind Izzy Stradlin's 1993 Return to GNR
You probably saw that picture of the bootleg CD cover "Welcome Back, IZZY!". Well, it wasn’t just a random happy reunion. In fact, it led to one of the biggest dramas in Guns N' Roses history, and the story is absolute chaos.
It all started in April 1993. Gilby Clarke, who had replaced Izzy on rhythm guitar in 1991, suffered a bad motorcycle accident and broke his left wrist. He needed immediate surgery to install plates and pins. With a massive tour of stadiums across Europe and the Middle East about to start, the band had no choice but to find a replacement.
That's when Axl Rose called Izzy Stradlin back. Izzy agreed and played five specific shows in May 1993, which is what the "Welcome Back" album captures. It seemed like the original magic was back, but the tension was building.
After a show in Vienna, Izzy did the unexpected: he left the band again—completely abruptly.
This forced GNR to cancel multiple shows, causing a huge financial loss. Axl Rose was furious. According to reports from fan clubs, this was the final straw. At the very next show in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Axl began a public feud. He started dedicating the song "Double Talkin' Jive" to Izzy at every performance.
The phrase was perfect for his frustration—referring to someone who is a "bullshitter," who says one thing and does another, and in summary, is completely unreliable. In some shows, Axl's rants against his former best friend got incredibly harsh, using terms like "homefuck" to describe him.
Despite the very public conflict in 1993, the two eventually reconnected. In 1995, they were talking again, and Izzy even sent new material for Axl to consider for the band. But the 1993 tour reunion is still remembered as one of the craziest, messiest moments in their history.
P.S.: Guys, I found this information while browsing through Facebook and really wanted to share it with you. As I mentioned in the text above, this "Welcome Back, Izzy!" CD cover circulating online doesn't actually exist officially; it was created by fans (a bootleg "edit"). But oh my God, Izzy!!! The real story behind these photos is way more chaotic than we can imagine. It’s surreal to think about how it all went down and how intense their relationship truly was.
It's crazy how a fan-made cover can feel so real when the history behind it is this heavy! 🌹
