AC/DConfusion Continues: Brian Johnson Denies Retirement… Sort Of Not Really
Update, 11:27 am: The band has now released the following statement via Facebook:
“After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.
“In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.”
So that settles that. PHEW!
So are AC/DC retiring or what? The Telegraph has just run a story with the headline “AC/DC: We are not retiring,” which would seem to provide a fairly definitive answer to the question currently on the lips of millions of rock fans around the world… except that when you read the actual text of the piece, the issue remains fairly murky:
“We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver,” [Johnson] told the Telegraph. “We’re going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we’ll record it.”
He confirmed that one member of the band – thought to be rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, the older brother of school-uniform-wearing lead guitarist Angus Young – has been suffering from ill health, but denied that this meant the end of the road for the band.
“I wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future,” he said. “I’m not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don’t want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We’ve been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much.”
It has been reported that AC/DC are planning a tour to mark their 40th anniversary, which would involve 40 concerts in 40 different venues. “That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye,” said Johnson. “We would love to do it. But it’s all up in the air at the moment.”
Oh. So “we are not retiring” isn’t a direct quote from Johnson at all — a more accurate headline might have been “AC/DC: We wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future,” or “AC/DC: It’s all up in the air at the moment.” The band might make a new album, or they might not. The band might do a fortieth anniversary tour, or they might not. The band might continue despite Malcolm Young’s health issues, or they might not. Brian Johnson might have a club sandwich for lunch, but he also might have a salad. Really, The Telegraph’s headline is some serious bullshit. And people have the balls to accuse us of link baiting. Sheesh.
