Over the next ten days, we’ll be counting down the Top 10 Rock News Artists of the past year.
Finalists for the 16th annual hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers: the Rock News Story Of The Year is determined by page views, while the Rock News Artist Of The Year is based on the combined total page views of the top 50 hennemusic rock news stories of the past twelve months.
The 2025 hennemusic Rock News Awards winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 24.
Rock News Artist of The Year No. 10 – GUNS N’ ROSES
Guns N’ Roses ended last year by announcing a series of shows in Europe and The Middle East as part of a 2025 tour.
The events would see the rockers headline stadiums and festivals throughout the summer, and see them joined by special guests Public Enemy, Rival Sons and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter on select dates.
In February, Ozzy Osbourne announced Guns N’ Roses would be among the artists added to the iconic singer’s farewell concert in Birmingham, UK in July.
“Guns N' Roses, Tool & Rival Sons added to Back To The Beginning!,” shared Ozzy on social media. “Plus Vernon Reid, Chad Smith, David Ellefson, Whitfield Crane & watt to the Tom Morello directed tribute. Event hosted by Jason Momoa.”
March saw Guns N’ Roses welcome drummer Isaac Carpenter to the band’s lineup following an amicable parting of the ways with longtime touring member Frank Ferrer.
Carpenter – whose career spans an impressive roster of acts, including live and studio work with Duff McKagan's Loaded, Awolnation, Adam Lambert, and A Perfect Circle, among others – would hit the road with the band throughout their 2025 European, Asian, and Middle East Tour, headlining stadiums and festivals throughout the summer.
In June, Guns N' Roses announced the second leg of their 2025 world tour, with new dates slated for the fall throughout Latin America.
Guns N’ Roses performed four Back Sabbath songs during its appearance at the UK band’s farewell concert event on July 5.
The group opened its set at Birmingham’s Villa Park with the 1972 “Technical Ecstasy” tune, “It’s Alright”, which was followed by the title track to 1978’s “Never Say Die!” and its deep cut, “Junior’s Eyes”, as well as the title track to 1973’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” – before closing with “Welcome To The Jungle” and “Paradise City.”
“My first time meeting Axl Rose,” shared Ozzy on social media, “at my age you don’t get to meet many legends, seriously an utter gentleman.”
Late in the year, Guns N’ Roses announced they will hit the road again in the spring and summer of 2026, while also issuing two new songs - “Nothin” and “Atlas” - marking their first releases since 2023.
Add some GNR to your collection here.