Matt Sorum would be willing to revisit Velvet Revolver with Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale on lead vocals. The drummer responded to the suggestion during an interview with Mike Hsu of 100 FM The Pike, after the conversation turned to Hale’s performance on his charity project Sound & Vision Live.
Hsu proposed the potential lineup, prompting an enthusiastic response from Sorum. “Yeah, I mean, come on. I’d do it,” he said, according to Blabbermouth’s transcription. Laughing, Sorum added that he did not know what Slash and Duff McKagan were doing and suggested Hsu give them a call.
The exchange established Sorum’s interest in the idea. He did not announce rehearsals, recording sessions or shows, and his comments included no indication that Hale or his former bandmates had committed to a reunion.
Hale’s rendition of Bad Company’s “Shooting Star” prompted the discussion. The performance was recorded at the inaugural Palm Springs Sound & Vision Awards, held at the Plaza Theatre on March 2, 2026. Sorum produced the resulting concert film and double vinyl album, which honor Bad Company and Free singer Paul Rodgers and Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler.
Sorum told Hsu that he wanted a female performer represented among the musicians he invited and was particularly excited for listeners to hear Hale’s contribution. He also recalled Butler approaching him to compare her singing favorably with Tina Turner. Hsu’s suggestion of a Velvet Revolver comeback followed that praise.
Velvet Revolver originally united Sorum with fellow former Guns N’ Roses members Slash and McKagan, guitarist Dave Kushner and Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland. Finding a vocalist had been a lengthy process before Weiland joined the group, which released Contraband in 2004 and Libertad in 2007.
The band parted ways with Weiland in April 2008. Its members reunited with him for a four-song performance at a Los Angeles benefit honoring songwriter John O’Brien in January 2012, but that appearance did not lead to a sustained return. Weiland died in December 2015.
Sorum and Hale’s collaboration on Sound & Vision Live supports the Adopt The Arts Foundation, which Sorum co-founded with Jane Lynch in 2012. Every participating musician donated their time, and the album’s initial pressing is limited to 2,000 copies. Proceeds benefit the foundation’s work providing music education in underserved public elementary schools.
