Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Melissa Reese recently opened up about how she has been spending her days while on pause from touring. She shared a mini vlog of her routine in an Instagram post. Reese has taken time off from the band due to undisclosed health issues. She described her mornings, studio work, and everyday life away from the road.
The statement focused on her daily routine while she figures out her health and adjusts to life without touring.
“Today in my life being on pause from touring while I figure out my health,” Reese said. “I’m not a morning person, but I always do my morning routine: brush teeth, make my bed, take my supplements and meds, loving NMN right now, and doc’s orders for me are tons of electrolytes.”
She went on to describe her morning and her new freedom to drive herself around.
“I then do the controversial move of chocolate breakfast, always Sees, of course. Today is gonna be a long one working in the studio, so I wanted to be in something comfy like this Mickey Mouse sweatsuit my BFF’s mom got me for my birthday. A little mirror time before I head out, and this hair is on her own schedule. One of the things I haven’t been able to do a lot in the last decade since I’ve been on tour was drive myself around, so this has been a big change, but I absolutely love it.”
Reese also reflected on her neighborhood and its recovery after the fires.
“My neighborhood, the Palisades, is showing signs of life again after the fires, and I’m so grateful for that. I’ve always been one of those people who can’t wait till they get home to eat what they buy. I know.”
She then turned to her work in the studio and a new project.
“Anyway, so I come back and I get to work in the studio my composing partner Brane and I have built. We’re working on a secret project right now, but it’s a biggie, and we’re so excited. Oh, also, I was thrilled that my Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Urtext sheet music book arrived. I bake for dinner, Erewan, of course, more composing, and then a little personal break to do some sight reading.”
She closed by describing her night session and her gratitude despite the difficult year.
“Then it’s time to get back to our night session. Doesn’t the studio look insane at night? It’s been so hard not being able to tour this year, but I have so much gratitude in my heart for what we’ve built and the music we get to make here. Okay, Brane’s ready to go, and we’re gonna be working till like 3 a.m. So miss you guys!”
Her update gives fans a rare look at her life since she stepped away from the road. It also comes after a decade in which touring was a constant in her career with the band.
Reese joined Guns N’ Roses in March 2016 as the band’s second keyboardist, replacing Chris Pitman. She made her debut with the group at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on April 1, 2016. The show served as a warm-up for the band’s reunion-era run. On stage, she plays synths and sub-bass, sings backing vocals, and handles the electronic programming.
Her arrival also marked a milestone for the group. Reese became the first woman to hold full-time member status in Guns N’ Roses. She was the only woman on stage during the Not in This Lifetime… Tour, alongside Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, and Dizzy Reed. She had worked with drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia on other projects. He helped connect her to the band.
Her absence from the road became official in March 2026. The night before the band’s March 28 tour kickoff, Guns N’ Roses announced that Reese would not take part in the 2026 world tour. The band did not give a medical diagnosis or specify her condition.
“Rock legends Guns N’ Roses have announced that Melissa Reese will not be joining the band on tour due to unforeseen personal reasons. We hope our fans understand.”
The details of her studio project remain under wraps. Her comments about the Palisades match the ongoing recovery of the Pacific Palisades area after the 2025 fires. Reese remains off the road as she focuses on her health. Further updates may follow.
