Ex-Guns N’ Roses bassist Tommy Stinson discussed how he believes he ‘sparked’ the reunion in a new Illinois Entertainer interview.
“I never thought it was going to happen, to be honest with you. From what I knew back then, the wounds were too deep to fill. And so, cut to [2013]. I’m starting to do Replacements shows again, and my personal situation was such that when they (GN’R) called to ask me to do [what] must have been about five different tours . . . I couldn’t go because I had a little kid to take care of here in Hudson. I think that might have helped spark that reunion thing. Because I wasn’t quitting or anything, it’s I just couldn’t… The Replacements weekend gigs were good enough for me to live on. I wasn’t able to tour for Guns but also didn’t need to at that time. So I think that kind of pushed it more than anything, if you ask me. Just my lack of being able to.”
He also said, “I know all those cats. I mean, I never met Slash before, as far as I know, but all those guys are buddies of mine. I’m just stoked that they’re out there doing it. I saw two shows now. I saw Kansas, and I saw the Philly show. And they just looked like they’re having a fucking ball and successful tour. It’s good for all of them.”