by Richard Fortus recently opened up about his creative freedom within Guns N’ Roses. He addressed questions about his relationship with bandmate Slash in an interview with Guitar World.
The guitarist was asked whether he plays Izzy Stradlin and Gilby Clarke’s parts note-for-note. This prompted him to clarify his approach to the band’s classic material and Slash’s level of involvement in his creative decisions.
“I can’t really speak to the Gilby thing as much, but with Izzy, there are certain things I view as integral,” Fortus said. “There’s never been a time when Slash has said to me, ‘I think you should copy what Izzy did here.’”
Fortus emphasized that Slash trusts his musical instincts and remains open to his interpretations.
“He’s very much in the moment,” he continued. “He’s come back to me and said, ‘I listened to this live recording we did, and I didn’t realize you were doing that. That’s really cool.’ But he’s never said, ‘I think you should do this…’ He is very trusting of how I approach things.”
The guitarist explained that his choices are driven by respect for the band’s legacy rather than external pressure.
“But there are things that – out of respect to the genius of Izzy and what makes this band legendary – I play what I think is integral to the song,” Fortus noted. “There are moments with a lot of the stuff that I interpret in my own way, but I feel very akin to Izzy’s approach and where he was coming from with the songs. I think about that spirit when I approach a song.”
Fortus’s comments reflect his unique position within the band. He balances honoring the original material while bringing his own musical perspective to the stage.
Wikipedia reported that Fortus has been a member of Guns N’ Roses since 2002. This makes him the longest-tenured member outside of Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed. His role as rhythm guitarist has been crucial in stabilizing the band’s sound during a period of significant lineup changes. Axl Rose has publicly praised Fortus’s contributions, describing him as “the guy that we always were looking for,” as noted by 4tus.com.
The guitarist’s versatility extends beyond his work with Guns N’ Roses. Celestion revealed that Fortus has a diverse musical background that includes classical training in violin starting at age four. He has also collaborated with artists such as Rihanna, Enrique Iglesias, and The Psychedelic Furs. This broad experience has equipped him with the technical skills and adaptability that make him invaluable to the band’s current lineup.
Fortus is currently on tour with Guns N’ Roses as part of their global 2025-2026 “Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things” tour. Slash Paradise confirmed that the tour began on May 1, 2025. It is scheduled to conclude in November 2025 after more than 80 shows across 35 countries. The current lineup features Axl Rose on lead vocals, Slash on lead and rhythm guitars, Duff McKagan on bass, Richard Fortus on rhythm guitar, Isaac Carpenter on drums, Dizzy Reed on keyboards, and Melissa Reese on sound programming.
The creative partnership between Fortus and Slash has become a hallmark of Guns N’ Roses’ current live sound. Boss Info highlighted that both guitarists complement each other’s strengths. Slash’s iconic lead work blends seamlessly with Fortus’s versatile rhythm playing. This dynamic reflects both respect for the band’s legacy and a willingness to embrace new musical directions, ensuring that Guns N’ Roses continues to deliver powerful performances night after night.
