AC/DC FRONTMAN BRIAN JOHNSON SAYS THE BAND’S NEW ALBUM IS COMPLETE
AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has revealed the band has completed work on the follow-up to Black Ice.
The Geordie hero returned to his hometown of Newcastle to pick up his Doctorate in Music from the city’s Northumbria University and he confirmed AC/DC’s new album is done following a series of quickfire recording sessions in Vancouver.
The 66-year-old says: “It was brilliant over there. We’re done. I’m very excited and we’ve got some great songs.”
But Johnson admitted the continued absence of founder member Malcolm Young had cast a shadow over the band’s latest stint in the studio.
He adds: “We miss Malcolm obviously. He’s a fighter. He’s in hospital but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again. Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent, but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult. But I’m sure he was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy but he’s very strong. He’s proud and he’s very private so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”
Johnson admitted the band had discussed a number of album titles with the new release due to hit stores later this year or early 2015.
And he added: “I wanted to call the album Man Down. But it’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.”
Johnson received his honorary degree from Northumbria University’s vice chancellor Prof Andrew Wathey, who says: “Brian has been an inspiration to the people of the North East and rock fans the world over.
“His ambition, dedication and talent is second to none. His passion for excellence has propelled the boy from Dunston to the top of the rock world.”
AC/DC are readying a world tour.
source: classicrockmagazine.com
Not saying the next album will be Back in Black revisited (of course)…but they did record that classic in just about 5 months; even though just some of the songwriting without the music had been completed when Bon passed. Give the new album a chance despite the fast release. The last album was very good! More importantly, get well Malcolm…
Record companies hold the contracts, they set the schedual…ask Pete Townshend about Warner Bros. 1982 or George Harrison ’74….bigger contracts and albums dumped out quick with Harrison hoarse to complete.
Record companies hold the contracts, yes, but at this point in the band’s career, and given their massive success, and given they changed labels, teir management most likely negotiated no timetable to put out anything. Back in the day, record companies treated their talent as slaves. These days, established artists have all the power. New bands get killed, but once they get success, the renegotiate. The 1960s and the 1970s were different times for the business…
Today is Bon Scott’s birthday should this not be mentioned in AC/DC news?
You just did fj, thank you.
God bless his soul. Bon was great.
Dana from ET.com 🙂
Thank you for the reminder fj. I am so upset with myself for forgetting that today is Bon Scott’s birthday. Forgive me Bon. Rock in peace.
That was fast. But think how fast they were making albums up until The Razors Edge. Most of which were great.
AC/DC, you owe us nothing. Not a damn thing.
But thank you for continuing to give us your music; you guys have more class than a lot of the other bands out there. When they do the tour, let’s all scream “Malcolm!” during “Whole Lotta Rosie” in lieu of “Angus!” Hopefully the love reverberations will reach Mal wherever he is.