It’s Official: Axl Rose Will Sing for AC/DC This Summer
Rumors started swirling last month that Axl Rose would sing for AC/DC this summer, following the announcement that Brian Johnson — who is suffering from severe hearing loss (allegedly due to his race car-driving habit, not AC/DC’s thunderously loud shows) — would be unable to tour with the band. Rose was even spotted leaving an L.A. rehearsal space with AC/DC, lending credence to those rumors.
Now it’s official: AC/DC announced on their official website early this morning that Rose will be touring with the band for a month of previously announced stadium shows in Europe in May and June, and for 10 soon-to-be-announced, rescheduled U.S. dates that had been postponed mid-tour earlier this year due to Johnson’s hearing issues.
But, what’s more, the wording of AC/DC’s official statement makes it seem as if Johnson is out of the band permanently, thanking him for his “contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years.” We would’ve expected Johnson to return to AC/DC after some time away, but either his hearing condition is bad enough that he’s decided to hang it up or the band simply doesn’t want to wait around for him to heal.
But wait! There’s even more!
AC/DC guitarist Angus young joined Guns N’ Roses on stage last night at Coachella, foreshadowing today’s announcement. The band played the AC/DC hits “Riff Raff” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” with Rose on vocals. Fan-filmed video of those two songs can be seen at the end of this post.
Here’s the official 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. AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals. The European stadium tour dates begin on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and run through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark as previously announced (see below for full itinerary). 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. The 10 postponed U.S shows will be rescheduled and announced imminently, also with Axl Rose.
So: is Axl a breath of fresh air whose voice will fit perfectly with AC/DC, or is this gonna be a disaster that sullies the band’s legacy? Sound off below.
European tour dates:
May 07 – 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
Jun. 01 – Leipzig, Germany – Red Bull Arena
Jun. 04 – London, UK – The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Jun. 09 – Manchester, UK – Etihad Stadium
Jun. 12 – Aarhus, Denmark – Ceres Park
https://youtu.be/fRP29vJ_V3w
https://youtu.be/8bBRoAAIJrY
