Dave Lifton of Ultimate Classic Rock reports:
Add AC/DC to the list of people who disagree with Gene Simmons‘ headline-making proclamation earlier this year that “rock is dead”.
In an exclusive interview with Ultimate Classic Rock (see video below), Angus Young and Brian Johnson declare the genre to be “alive and kicking.”
Young and Johnson were asked about Simmons’ statement. “With all respect to the lad,” Brian Johnson said. “I think he’s terribly wrong for a start. I really do. I don’t think anybody should have the nerve to stand there and just say that a certain genre of music has just ff—- disappeared overnight…Well, I’m here to tell you, Gene, you’re wrong. And I’m saying it’s alive and kicking. My name’s Brian. How do you do?”
Angus Young added his thoughts on the matter — “It’s been a long, long, long funeral” — before going on to give young bands the benefit of his four decades of experience. “If they think they’ve really got something,” he said. “They ought to stick with it…When people find their direction and…they finally kind of define what they are as a band, then they should hang on to that.
AC/DC’s new album, Rock or Bust will be released on December 2nd.
[Ed’s note: Thanks to David S. for passing this along]
source: ultimateclassicrock.com
64 Responses
That’s right! Rock is “ALIVE AND KICKING”! Angus, Brian, I SALUTE YOU! And speaking of “alive and kicking”, Saturday night with the Spaceman, Ace Frehley! Borgata, Atlantic City, tickets are only $35.00 and $29.50, I would’ve paid at least 5 times that much to see a legend like Ace! Can’t wait! Countdown is comin’ on, take a “Rocket Ride”, to Atlantic City Saturday night! See ya, CHEERS! 🙂
I have to say I have way more respect for Brian Johnson and Angus Young than I do for Gene Simmons. So yeah, it’s not dead at all.
They are fantastic!! Thanks for posting.
Agree completely. Angus and Brian seem so completely down to earth. I would love to sit at the bar with Brian and have a pint. These 2 are what it means to be humble and appreciative of all the fans have done for them through the years. Love love love this band.
Me too,
I would love to meet these guys. I have been to Australia, and they are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Johnson just seems beyond lovely.
Dana from ET.com 🙂
Now who’s interjecting Simmons into stories about other bands? Holy Sheet? ALL THINGS GENE SIMMONS AND HEAVY METAL. I’m part of the pro-Simmons camp so I love it. The man looms large over almost all metal conversations. If we all just admit that he is an average bassist, an average singer and average songwriter but all rolled up in one he deservedly became a huge Icon and a major influence for decades. GENE SIMMONS IS THE BE ALL, END ALL OF THIS GENRE. AC/DC are as huge as KISS with better talent and for almost as long yet that still have time to react to Gene’s months old commentary. This is AC/DC not LEE or JAMES K. or JOE IN THE CUSE WHO IS SNOWED IN. AC/DC. ROCK OR BUST is gonna be awesome. Looking forward to it mates.
KISS are entertainers there not real musicians. Gene , Paul , Ace and Peter cannot play thier instruments, Kiss used real musicians on all their albums. This is why you have never scene Kiss play live with another musician or band live onstage. I would compare Kiss to the Monkees , no way do they compare to ACDC! Kiss is a joke!
It’s amazing how you can talk out of your a and be totally wrong and still believe it. You are an idiot if you truly believe Kiss are not real musicians. Seek some knowledge before you spew anymore ignorance. The world has enough of that with the cell phone addicted generation.
A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES WENDIGO. GOD be with you.
Wendy you have no CLASS and your a 45 year old Hag. Kiss has the same musical ability as Blue Man Group! Grow up and find some artists with talent you skank!
My friend Jeff Tortora is the drummer in that band
Dude, this forum is for intelligent discussion. I think most of us here realize that KISS are very capable musicians as well as entertainers. They all play their own instruments and sing. You can disagree with others but resorting to petty name calling, well that’s just childish.
Your fabricated opion is simply ridiculous.
Blue Man Group, The Monkees and Kiss musically are in the same category of Entertainment.
This is a ridiculous statement on several levels.
A joke that’s lasted 40+ years and made millions. I’d love to be that big of a joke.
…SEEN kiss play live with…KISS had more longevity than THE MONKEES but that is not a bad comparison. AC/DC matches closest with VAN HALEN but their timeframe is the same as KISS.
It’s so inspiring how these guys are in one of the greatest, most successful, most influential and most loved bands ever and they seem like such down to earth, ego-less guys. AC/DC rules! The album’s gonna be great and they’ll kick ass on stage! I’ll be there front row! LET THERE BE ROCK!!!!