Thread: Axl Rose to join AC/DC as new lead singer

AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour


AC/DC have confirmed that Axl Rose will first join them as vocalist for the remaining dates on their Rock or Bust trek. Kevin Winter/Wireimage

The rumors have been confirmed: Just hours before Guns N' Roses are scheduled to take the stage for their triumphant reunion gig at Coachella, AC/DC formally announced that – before GN'R's Not in This Lifetime Tour kicks off – Axl Rose will first join them as vocalist for the remaining dates of their Rock or Bust trek.

"AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals," the band announced in a statement Saturday. Rose will take the place of longtime AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson, who was forced to abruptly quit touring with the group or risk "total hearing loss."

"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," the band said. "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."

The band continued, "The European stadium tour dates begin on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and run through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark as previously announced. Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N' Roses, 'Not In This Lifetime' Summer Stadium Tour."

AC/DC added that the 10 U.S. shows postponed by Johnson's sudden departure will also be rescheduled with Rose handling vocals.

AC/DC with Axl Rose European Tour Dates
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

AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour | Rolling Stone

He's a decent screecher - should be alright.

My, he's filled out a bit, hasn't he! Can't they find another Ocker?

Ocker? Brian Johnson is a Geordie.

Originally Posted by CaptainNemo

Can't they find another Ocker?

Originally Posted by CaptainNemo

Brian Johnson is a Geordie.

They had the best singer in Bon Scott until he killed himself.

Johnson was a screecher but didn't do a bad job.

Rose may do the job especially as he will have a far better guitarist in Angus Young backing him with ACDC.

Looking forward seeing how he fits in.

There's a shitload of AC/DC cover bands all over the world, some of them are excellent. Surely one of their lead singers who actually sounds like Brian Johnson would be a better choice?.

I can see Axel Rose trying to put his stamp on the shows - as egotistical pop stars are prone to do - and fans being highly dissapointed. That's if he turns up and doesn't throw a hissy fit then refuse to go on stage, as he's done in the past.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

They had the best singer in Bon Scott until he killed himself.

This!

AC/DC and Axl Rose...

Bon Scott would be rolling in his grave. Hopefully onto his side this time.

Originally Posted by bsnub

This!

He got pissed and probably stoned and fell asleep in his car with the windows down in the middle of winter and actually died from hypothermia.

I saw him at a few parties in Oz and he certainly hit the booze good and proper. Always had a few girls in tow as well. Too bad the girls were not with him on the night he died.

ACDC live Bon Scott. He died before they could release the single.

I reckon this version is far and away superior to the Brian Johnson vocal product.

This is for you Snubby. Very interesting.

Loy Toy ^^

Was that the only Back in Black song that Bon Scott did, or are there other songs with Scott?

Watch the vid.

Most of their famous songs were with Bon Scott up front.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

ACDC live Bon Scott. He died before they could release the single.

I reckon this version is far and away superior to the Brian Johnson vocal product.

and Brian Johnson has the cheek to put his name to the writing credits on this song. It was written before he joined the band, as the above youtube clip proves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_in_Black_%28song%29

Pathetic and sad.

The lads must be desperate - scrapping the barrel.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Watch the vid.

Most of their famous songs were with Bon Scott up front.

Loy Toy,

Yes, I just finished the doc-vid you posted. Cheers for that.

But my question was (to clarify):

Are there any recordings of more songs from the Black and Back album with Scott singing?

The doc discussed some of the lyrics and writing, but there was not mention of initial recording tracks.

I assume, that the Back in Black song you posted with Bon Scott was the only song from the album with Scott's vocals.

Originally Posted by palexxxx

and Brian Johnson has the cheek to put his name to the writing credits on this song. It was written before he joined the band, as the above youtube clip proves.

Someone (Mutt Lange, who produced Back in Black?) claims there was a notebook with Scotts lyrics to some songs on the Back in Black album that was later found.

The band claims all of Scott's notebooks were returned to his parents.

It only makes sense, that Scott contributed something to some (more) parts of Back in Black than just singing Angus and Malcom's lyrics on the one song Loy Toy posted.

The Back in Black album was released 5 months after Bon Scott died.

Not a lot of time.

Originally Posted by Black Heart

Angus and Malcom's lyrics

Angus and Malcom wrote the guitar licks and then Bon Scott come in and put down the lyrics and vocals.

He died before he could finish the work laid before him.

To be fair I dont know exactly who done what in the band but they were a machine together.

Brian Johnson said he was in awe of replacing him and probably for a lot of people only filled a gap.

Bottom line he was the right man to keep the ACDC machine running. AXEL ROSE HAS SOME BIG BOOTS TO FILL.

I'm not overly familiar with either band but they look/ sound indistinguishable to me ?
whats the fuss about ? one head banger rock opera singer replaces another
check it out:






I do remember the girls used to swoon over Axel Rose
haha i look as good him these days !

1988........................Almost 30 years ago.

I'm still sexy to the girls but I doubt Axel is...............

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Originally Posted by Black Heart

Angus and Malcom's lyrics

Angus and Malcom wrote the guitar licks and then Bon Scott come in and put down the lyrics and vocals.

He died before he could finish the work laid before him.

To be fair I dont know exactly who done what in the band but they were a machine together.

Brian Johnson said he was in awe of replacing him and probably for a lot of people only filled a gap.

Bottom line he was the right man to keep the ACDC machine running.

*Reminiscing*....AC/DC was basically my first favorite rock band (after KISS, but for KISS I was too young and I would buy the 8-tracks of KISS albums b/c I liked the cover) - but then when I listening to the music I liked it a lot.

I was a loyal AC/DC follower from about 1982 to 1985, listening to the LPs from High Voltage up to For the about to Rock.

Laster, I moved on to Iron Maiden and other bands as AC/DC continued.

IMO, I think Bryan Johnson more than just filled a gap. Bon Scott was a HUGE part of AC/DC's success IMO (in addition to ALL of the other members in the band, of course).

Johnson was a good pick to replace Scott IMO because of his voice/singing and being durable and his "look."

AXEL ROSE HAS SOME BIG BOOTS TO FILL.

The Appetite for Destruction album was unique, powerful and raw.

1987.

After that the short LP and Use your Illusion I and II, and that was it.

Fair enough.

Axle had (still has?) many personality issues.

He would be at a concert with the band ready to play at say, 8 PM, and he's say he's "not read" so the band and all of the audience would wait for 2-3 hours.

This is....an asshole.

Metallica members were also interviewed about Axl with negative feedback.

Has he changed this this odd behavior in the early and mid-90s?

Perhaps. I don't think AC/DC would work with him, unless he's changed.

It'll be interesting.

It's also be...."semi" AC/DC to me.

I do not see Bryan Johnson every returning.

Not convinced about their choice tbh. I think it's more about name recognition in the massive American market than anything else, ie Marketing. We'll see. GnR did some good stuff, but I've got my doubts that Axl can really make it happen with dacca.

Better yet, why don't these old fucking rockers retire and call it a day.

We can live on the memories.

Axel Rose is looking like shit.