Velvet Revolver Cite Good Cause as Reason for Reunion Gig With Scott Weiland

We recently reported that Scott Weiland was going to rejoin Velvet Revolver, but only for a short lived one night stand. Now VR guitarist Dave Kushner has offered up more details on the reunion.

When Kushner heard the sad news about his best friend John O’Brien passing away at the young age of 45 in his hotel room, his wife encouraged him to put together a benefit concert.

According to Rolling Stone, Kushner approached his Velvet Revolver bandmates -- Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum -- as well as former singer Scott Weiland, and they were all on board in an instant. O’Brien, while a childhood friend of Kushner, was also well known for his work in the industry and a beloved soul by many. Kushner compared him to a teddy bear, saying, “He was the most talented, softest, sweetest, most generous person I’d ever met.”

Although Velvet Revolver is only planning on playing three songs at the show, many other bands are lending their skills for the cause including performances by Tom Morello, Sheryl Crow and Maroon 5.

All of the money raised will benefit O'Brien’s pregnant widow and young son, and Kushner couldn’t stress enough that that was the main focus at hand.

Kushner was reserved to comment on any further shows with the reunited lineup, saying, “We haven’t played together in four years, and so we’re really just like, 'Let’s see how this goes.'"

The ‘Love You Madly’ benefit show is schedule for Jan. 12 in Los Angeles, Calif. at the House of Blues. Tickets are available here.