BBC 6 Music spoke to legendary AC/DC guitarist Angus Young and their new singer - Guns N' Roses’ Axl Rose - about the current situation in the band and the departure of singer Brian Johnson.

"I'm happy and excited in one sense, but I think it would be inappropriate to be celebrating, in a certain way, at someone else's expense," Rose said. "That's not what I'm here to do. It's an unfortunate situation."

Rose also confirmed it was his idea to approach AC/DC: "I called the day I read about it in the news, that there was a situation going on with Brian's hearing. I knew there was going to be a problem with having dates on sale and dates sold and stuff like that. So if I could help, and if I was able to do it, and they were interested, I'd love to help. And that's how it started. I wasn't looking at it like, 'I'm singing for AC/DC.' I was looking at it like, 'y'know, if I can, and if they think I'm able to do it."

Young added: “In his heart (Brian Johnson) wanted to finish the tour, but because of that hearing factor he had to make the decision. It's a hard thing to do, and he'd had the problem since we kicked off touring. It was his call. It was a shock to us too. The last thing you want to do is walk away from something, but you don't want someone in a tragic situation; being deaf, or any other affliction."

With the departure of his brother, guitarist Malcolm Young, after he developed dementia, and the death of original singer Bon Scott in 1980, Young said that “after that you're doubly careful. You want (band members) to be leaving in full body shape, not in a tragic way."

Read more at BBC 6 Music.



Asius Technologies founder Stephen Ambrose has issued an open message to Brian Johnson of AC/DC, “Please don’t stop performing, help is on the way.” Doctors recently advised Johnson that he may lose his hearing entirely if he continues to perform live.

Ambrose is the inventor of the wireless in-ear monitors, a staple on concert stages around the world. He now has news for Brian Johnson about a new-and-improved version of the in-ear monitor, the Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens

Ambrose made improvements to the in-ear monitor in cooperation with the National Health Foundation and 64 Audio, who produced the video streaming below. He claims this could possibly help save Johnson’s career.

Brian Johnson issued this following statement recently:

"As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer.  I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.

On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness.  While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage.  I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised.  In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow.  Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC.  I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond.  That was the darkest day of my professional life.

Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness.  Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.

I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine.  The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before.  Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work.  I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice.  The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.

Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years.  Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC.  My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.

Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring.  My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that.  For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing.  I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances.  While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic.  Only time will tell.

Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding."

AC/DC issued the following 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 European Tour Dates (with Axl Rose):

May
7 - Lisbon, Portugal - Passeio Maritimo De Alges
10 - Seville, Spain - Estadio De La Cartuja
13 - Marseille, France - Stade Velodrome
16 - Werchter, Belgium - Werchter Site
19 - Vienna, Austria - Erns-Happel Stadium
22 - Prague, Czech Republic - Letnany Airport
26 - Hamburg, Germany - Volksparkstadion
29 - Berne, Switzerland - Stade De Suisse

June
1 - Leipzig, Germany - Red Bull Arena
4 - London, England - The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
9 - Manchester, England - Etihad Stadium
12 - Aarhus, Denmark - Ceres Park

Axl Rose has appeared on camera with his AC/DC bandmates Angus Young and Cliff Williams prior to their live debut with the Guns N’ Roses singer this Saturday (May 7th) in Lisbon, Portugal at Passeio Maritimo De Alges.

“We are really excited to be here in Portugal,” Angus Young says. “We are here to give you a great rock show.”

“We are very excited to be there,” adds Axl Rose.

More supposed audio clips of AC/DC rehearsing with Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose have surfaced. Check full audio of “Hells Bells,” “Back In Black,” and “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be” from a Lisbon studio below: