Matt Sorum Reveals Why He Said “No” to Rejoining Guns N’ Roses
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Matt Sorum, the powerhouse drummer best known for his tenure with Guns N’ Roses during their Use Your Illusion era, recently opened up about turning down an offer to rejoin the band. In a resurfaced 2024 interview on Legends: Podcast, Sorum explained why he declined the invitation to perform with his former bandmates.
When asked if he had seen the current lineup — featuring Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan — Sorum admitted he hadn’t. He explained that he never received an official invite to attend their shows, and even when he was asked to perform as a guest, he turned it down.
His reason was simple yet deeply personal: it just didn’t make sense for him. As he put it, “I didn’t think it made sense to go play — what? — two songs and then do what? I mean, I play music. I play with musicians.” For Sorum, music is a continuing craft, not a nostalgic cameo.
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Finding Peace Outside the Reunion Spotlight
Sorum made it clear that his decision wasn’t rooted in bitterness or resentment. Instead, it reflected his philosophy as an artist. “So that’s cool. Whatever they’re doing is cool,” he said, acknowledging Guns N’ Roses’ current success. “I’m still living this vagabond dream of journeyman.”
Those words highlight a key part of Sorum’s identity — he has always thrived on exploration rather than repetition. While many fans might hope for a reunion, Sorum seems content following his own creative path, one that allows for freedom and constant reinvention.
His life after Guns N’ Roses has been a winding road filled with collaborations and experimentation. Rather than chasing past glory, he continues to build a present defined by versatility and independence — traits that have long defined his drumming style.
The Legacy He Left Behind in Guns N’ Roses
Sorum’s contributions to Guns N’ Roses remain monumental. Joining in 1990 to replace original drummer Steven Adler, he helped shape the sound of the Use Your Illusion I and II albums — two of the band’s most ambitious projects. His powerful drumming also drove The Spaghetti Incident?, their 1993 covers album, and countless live performances during their world-dominating Use Your Illusion Tour.
That tour, one of the longest and most profitable in rock history, showcased Sorum’s ability to balance precision with explosive energy. Fans still point to that era as one of Guns N’ Roses’ creative peaks, cementing his place in their history even after his departure in 1997.
When the band reunited in 2015, bringing Slash and Duff McKagan back into the fold, many assumed Sorum might also return. Instead, Frank Ferrer, who had joined the group in 2006, stayed behind the drum kit — a reminder that while history can be celebrated, it isn’t always rewritten.
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Still Beating to His Own Rhythm
Far from fading into the background, Sorum has continued to thrive in new musical ventures. He’s played in supergroups like Velvet Revolver and Kings of Chaos and toured with Hollywood Vampires between 2015 and 2017. His latest endeavor, Deadland Ritual, unites him with rock legends Geezer Butler, Steve Stevens, and Franky Perez — proof that his passion for collaboration hasn’t slowed down.
Beyond live performances, Sorum is also active in the studio. He’s been working closely with ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, not just as a drummer but as a songwriter and co-producer. It’s a partnership that underlines his multi-dimensional talent and ongoing influence in rock music.
For Sorum, staying relevant doesn’t mean revisiting the past. It means continuing to evolve — playing, creating, and exploring without limits. His refusal to rejoin Guns N’ Roses wasn’t about pride; it was about purpose. In his own words, he’s still “living the vagabond dream,” and that’s exactly where he wants to be.
