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
Malcom must be pretty ill to be in hospital.i hope to see him on the tour.heal up malcom and thanks for the music..\m/
As much as they need Malcolm, I’d rather for him to get well than to get back too soon. They’ve toured once without him on the tour for the Blow Up Your Video album and they obviously survived and so did all us fans. It sucks he’s not able to be with them, but it is what it is. It’s not his fault. Most importantly: GET WELL MALCOLM!
Oh yeah, one last thing: Congratulations Dr. Johnson! Maybe you, Tony Iommi and Paul Rodgers can start your own University.
Cant wait for the album and tour…Black Ice was great and I don’t think they would do this if they weren’t up for it…should be unbelievable….sorry for Malcolm but he’s probably all over the album, just not playing or touring…
It is most likely that the band had the songs lying around a long time already and just took them into the studio with Stevie after Mal got sick. AC/DC works 2 years out of 5 at most, since the mid-80s.
That’s what I’ve been saying too…and since from announcement to completion, it only took a few months, these had to be already written with Malcolm all over it, just not playing…
I heard they were only doing 40 dates, but I hope they do more. As long as they come anywhere near my city, I will see them at least once more. ACDC is absolutely my favorite band ever & who knows if this will be the last time they come around. I hope Malcolm recovers, even if he doesn’t tour anymore, I hope he can enjoy his life. It does seem like this album was done quickly, but they probably have material to fill a few albums. The Black Ice tour was so successful, I doubt they are being forced to do anything by the suits. I have a feeling they want to get this one more tour done and ride off into the sunset. They deserve it.