Izzy Stradlin was a key force behind Guns N’ Roses’ meteoric rise, co-founding the band in 1985 and co-writing some of their biggest hits. But by 1991, the rockstar lifestyle had worn him down.
While most of the band members were still deep into partying and substance abuse, Izzy had sobered up after a 1989 arrest for public urination on a plane. The band’s increasing unpredictability, particularly Axl Rose’s erratic behavior, and the unequal distribution of money and control pushed Izzy over the edge.
He officially left in November 1991, right in the middle of the ‘Use Your Illusion’ tour. Though he remained in the industry after that, there’s no sound from him these days.
Life After Guns N’ Roses
After leaving GN’R, Izzy wasted no time. He formed Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, releasing a self-titled album in 1992 and going on a successful world tour. Unlike GN’R, the band had a more laid-back vibe, and Izzy finally had full creative control. However, after their last show in Tokyo in 1993, he pulled the plug.
For the next two decades, he continued releasing music but kept things low-key. His solo albums—like ‘117°’ (1998), ‘Like a Dog’ (2005), and ‘Wave of Heat’ (2010)—showed he was still writing and recording, but he rarely promoted them. There were no big tours, no music videos, just Izzy doing his thing and staying out of the spotlight. His last known release was in 2016, when he dropped a handful of singles on YouTube and Twitter, including ‘F.P. Money.’
He Didn’t Show Up For The Band Reunion
When GN’R announced their massive 2016 ‘Not in This Lifetime’ reunion tour featuring Axl, Slash, and Duff, many assumed Izzy would be part of it. After all, he was a founding member. But when he didn’t show up, speculation ran wild. Izzy later confirmed he was asked but declined, saying the band didn’t want to split the money equally. His absence reinforced the idea that his days with GN’R were truly over.
Where Is The Guitarist Now?
At this point, Izzy has practically vanished. His last known music project was in 2016, and since then, there’s been radio silence. Fans on Reddit claim he briefly ran a YouTube channel where he uploaded music, but when the videos started gaining attention, he deleted them.
The last reported sighting of him was at a Rolling Stones concert, where he allegedly told Bernard Fowler that he was still writing music. If that’s true, there’s a chance we might hear from him again. But for now, he seems content staying off the grid, away from the rockstar lifestyle he once lived.
He Has Enough Money To Lie Low
At this point, a full-blown reunion with GN’R seems unlikely, as well. His absence from the 2016 tour proved that whatever issues he had with the band—money, creative differences, or otherwise—haven’t been resolved. Still, despite staying out of the limelight, Izzy hasn’t struggled financially. Thanks to royalties from GN’R’s biggest albums, he still has a solid net worth of around $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
