Shirley Halperin of Billboard:
Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has a new gig lined up: he’ll be singing with AC/DC.
The Australian rockers announced on April 16th that Rose will step in for Brian Johnson, who had to bow out from touring due to hearing issues, issuing the following statement:
“AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment.”
According to a source, Rose, a huge AC/DC fan who’s covered the band’s classic Whole Lotta Rosie going back to his band’s early days, had met with AC/DC members, including original guitarist Angus Young, in Miami and Atlanta more than a month ago. It was then that the plan to have Rose join AC/DC, despite his own band’s live commitments, was hatched. There was also talk of having other singers alternate with Rose, including Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row (who had joined GNR onstage previously), and Nic Cester of the Aussie band Jet.
AC/DC’s Rock Or Bust stadium tour resumes May 7th in Lisbon, Portugal and runs through June 12th. Following the European run, Rose will head out on his Guns N’ Roses Not In This Lifetime summer stadium tour, the dates of which were announced on April 6th.
See the list of AC/DC European tour dates below:
May 7 – Lisbon, Portugal – Passeio Maritimo De Alges
May 10 – Seville, Spain – Estadio De La Cartuja
May 13 – Marseille, France – Stade Velodrome
May 16 – Werchter, Belgium – Werchter Site
May 19 – Vienna, Austria – Erns-Happel Stadium
May 22 – Prague, Czech Republic – Letnany Airport
May 26 – Hamburg, Germany – Volksparkstadion
May 29 – Berne, Switzerland – Stade De Suisse
June 1 – Leipzig, Germany – Red Bull Arena
June 4 – London, England – The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
June 9 – Manchester, England – Etihad Stadium
June 12 – Aarhus, Denmark – Ceres Park
source: billboard.com
4 Responses
Even though he was born with a “Stiff Upper Lip,” I would love to hear a statement from Brian Johnson. Really like to know what he thinks, and he feels about all this. We all know there’s more to this story than just Brian’s hearing issues. If ever I wanted to be a “Fly On The Wall…”
I don’t like this and I won’t support this. I have too much respect for Brian, who by by the way hasn’t released any statements.
Why would you just assume he’s not ok with it, or that this isn’t at his request? There have been few statements by anyone about this, and they are a band that is remarkably tight lipped. The one statement that DOES address it calls it Brian’s decision. Not sure why the drama around this regarding Brian. He’s been in the music business for almost 40 years, and in the biggest band in the world for most of that time. He knows how it works, and he knows those shows have to be honored.
Nope