Brian Johnson Has a ‘Lot of Respect’ for Axl Rose’s Work in AC/DC

Brian Johnson commended Axl Rose for doing a “fantastic job” while subbing in for the AC/DC singer onstage in 2016.

“He jumped into a tough, tough vocalist gig,” Johnson tells UCR of the Guns N’ Roses singer, who helped out during the Rock or Bust tour after Johnson’s hearing issues forced him off the road. “You’ve got to be on top of your game for that. There’s not many resting places. You’ve really got to go in full chop, all of the time. And for him to do that at such short notice was pretty fantastic. I’ve got a lot of respect for what he did, you know. A lot of respect.”

Johnson is currently promoting AC/DC’s upcoming LP, Power Up, which features the singer alongside guitarist Stevie Young (nephew of late co-founder Malcolm Young) and longtime guitarist Angus Young, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd.

The singer says he looks forward to the band’s live return after the COVID-19 pandemic, enthusing that it “would be like a big shout of freedom” when rock music “hits the streets” again. “We’re all sitting penned up, cautious and wary. We don’t know what the hell’s happening,” he says. “We’ve just got our fingers crossed that it blow over. Which it has to at some time.”

And when that concert comeback does finally happen, Johnson is optimistic that his hearing issues won’t remain an obstacle. “I believe so,” he says to the idea of joining the group. “We had a little tryout, and it was real good, I thought, for me anyway. So, absolutely. I can’t wait.”

Responding to the growing online movement and petition for AC/DC to play the Super Bowl, Johnson cracks, “It might be the only show in town!”

Brian Johnson Has a ‘Lot of Respect’ for Axl Rose’s Work in AC/DC | h

Malcolm Young’s Departure Confirmed
The same news release that confirmed the impending release of ‘Rock or Bust’ brought devastating news: Co-founder Malcolm Young, who missed these sessions with a then-undisclosed illness, would not be a part of the working band anymore.

Brian Johnson Has a ‘Lot of Respect’ for Axl Rose’s Work in AC/DC |

Stevie Young Steps In
Nephew Stevie Young, who previously filled in for Malcolm on a series of late-’80s tour dates, takes over for both the creation of ‘Rock or Bust’ and the already-announced world tour. AC/DC’s lineup is rounded out by Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd – for now.

AC/DC Gathers For Band Photo, Without Phil
AC/DC film videos for two songs from ‘Rock or Bust’ without Phil Rudd – and Brian Johnson explains that a “family emergency” kept him away. But then they release a new group photo without Rudd, offering no official explanation for the omission.

Phil Rudd Is Arrested, Status Remains Uncertain
Phil Rudd is charged with attempting to procure a murder, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill. Later, the procuring-murder charge — his most serious — is dropped. AC/DC stay silent on his future.

‘Rock or Bust’ Released
AC/DC’s first album without musical participation from Malcolm Young reached the Top 5 in both America and the U.K. The project was advanced by “Play Ball,” which was used in TBS coverage of Major League Baseball’s postseason. Young still received songwriting credits on every song.

Chris Slade Rejoins AC/DC
Chris Slade, a member of AC/DC from 1989-94, steps in for the band’s Grammy Awards broadcast. (Rob Richards of Shogun had mimed Rudd’s parts in their two earlier videos.) Also a former drummer with the Firm, Slade ultimately continued with AC/DC through the rest of the ‘Rock or Bust’ tour.

Karl Walter, Getty Images

AC/DC Take New Lineup to Coachella
AC/DC performed their first full concert since the health-related departure of founding guitarist Malcolm Young on the opening night of the 2015 Coachella Festival in Indio, California. Three songs from ‘Rock or Bust’ were featured.

Chicago Show Reportedly Captured on Film
AC/DC apparently filmed their stop at Chicago’s Wrigley Field – an otherwise expected move that suddenly took on an historical bent when Brian Johnson later left the tour. Alderman Tom Tunney said there were to be helicopters flying over the Wrigleyville neighborhood capturing aerial shots of the ballpark for a DVD.

Damage at Wrigley Sparks Controversy
Cubs management lodged an official complaint about the way the field was left after AC/DC’s concert at Wrigley Field – sending Chicago fans into a rage. “Hopefully, [the turf problem] doesn’t hurt them,” columnist Paul Sullivan wrote. “But if it does, I can see the headline now: AC/DC Kills Cubs’ Hopes.”

Rains Force AC/DC to Interrupt Their Show
AC/DC’s stop at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand was halted after just a few minutes when a huge storm pushed them off the stage temporarily. Brian Johnson addressed the weather-related technical problems before he left, saying: “We want to fix this once and for all.” It took approximately 30 minutes.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Brian Johnson Performs Last AC/DC Concert
No one in the crowd could have known it at the time, but AC/DC‘s performance in Kansas City appears to be the end of an era. Days later, AC/DC postponed the remaining dates on the tour, apparently signaling Johnson’s exit from the lineup after more than 35 years. AC/DC had already moved the concert up a day so Johnson could get back to the U.K. in time for the funeral of a friend.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Brian Johnson’s Hearing Issue Is Confirmed
AC/DC pushes back all of their remaining dates with a news release confirming that Brian Johnson has been “advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.” The same release says that dates through early April “will be made up later in the year, likely with a guest vocalist” – igniting controversy.

Ethan Miller / Brendon Thorne, Getty Images

Breuer Makes Incendiary AC/DC Comments
Comedian Jim Breuer visited Brian Johnson at home and later recounted their conversation on an episode of his podcast, describing Johnson as “really depressed” and saying he’d been “kicked to the curb” over concerns about his hearing loss. Later, Breuer tried to walk back his comments, claiming that he got “carried away” and had mostly been “venting.”

Axl Rose Rumors Heat Up
Rumors that Axl Rose might be tabbed to fill in for Brian Johnson began about a week after his hearing issue was confirmed. The Guns N’ Roses frontman was later photographed leaving a rehearsal studio with AC/DC, though questions still revolved around how he would manage two tours.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Axl Rose Confirmed, Angus Young Joins GNR on Stage
Axl Rose was confirmed as AC/DC’s substitute frontman on the eve of Guns N’ Roses’ appearance at Coachella. To cement their new partnership, Angus Young joined Guns N’ Roses onstage for renditions of AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Riff Raff,” offering an early glimpse into what this new this unlikely pairing had in store for fans.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Brian Johnson Moves On, Tries New Hearing Aid
Brian Johnson was philosophical about his sudden, mid-tour exit from AC/DC. “I’m 69 later this year, and I’ve had a pretty good run,” he said. “I’ve been in one of the best bands in the world.” Meanwhile, Johnson checked into a new experimental hearing aid.

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

Daltrey Asks Whether AC/DC Should Go On
Even as some fans demanded refunds, Roger Daltrey joined those who said AC/DC shouldn’t continue without Brian Johnson. “It must be heartbreaking for him,” Daltrey said, “after all the service he’s given that band over the years. … I think AC/DC will miss Brian much more than Brian will miss AC/DC.” Former bandmate Phil Rudd also questioned the move.

Axl Rose Makes His AC/DC Debut
Axl Rose takes the stage in place of Brian Johnson at Lisbon, Portugal, tearing through an impressive, career-spanning setlist that included rarities like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation” – which AC/DC hadn’t played since 2003. After these European shows, he will rejoin GNR for their 20-city “Not in This Lifetime …” summer stadium trek.

Guns N’ Roses
Axl Rose finally rose from Dave Grohl’s tricked-out throne during AC/DC’s concert in Werchter, Belgium, weeks after breaking his foot during a surprise Guns N’ Roses show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. He stood for parts of “Highway to Hell” and “Riff Raff.

Axl Rose Tells AC/DC He Wants to Stay On
Angus Young says he doesn’t have concrete plans yet for AC/DC after they wrap up their tour with Axl Rose. One thing’s for sure, though: Rose is ready to keep going. “I know he’s very excited,” Young said, less than a month before AC/DC finished their European dates with Rose. “He keeps saying can he do more?”

Cliff Williams Announces Surprise Retirement
Bassist Cliff Williams, now AC/DC’s second-longest tenured member, announces he will retire after the troubled ‘Rock or Bust’ tour. In the end, it seems the loss of three bandmates in quick succession was more than he could take: “It’s a changed animal,” Williams said. “I feel in my gut it’s the right thing.”

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

AC/DC’s Future Now Up in the Air
Chris Slade says he can’t see AC/DC ending, but Angus Young suddenly didn’t sound so sure anymore after the potential loss of a fourth member in the wake of Cliff Williams’ retirement. “At this point, I don’t know,” he admits. “We were committed to finishing the tour. Who knows what I’ll feel after?”

Phil Rudd Does His Time, Tries to Restart Career
Phil Rudd says he emerged from an eight-month home detention sentence as a changed man. Unfortunately, a conviction for drug possession and threatening to kill a former employee means he can’t tour in America, but Rudd is doing select European shows in support of his 2014 solo album ‘Head Job.’ He says he hasn’t heard from AC/DC since these legal troubles began.