Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has a new gig lined up: he’ll be singing with AC/DC.
The Australian rockers announced tonight (April 16) that Rose will step in for Brian Johnson, who had to bow out from touring due to hearing issues, issuing 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.”
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According to a source, Rose, a huge AC/DC fan who’s covered the band’s classic “Whole Lotta Rosie” going back to his band’s early days, had met with AC/DC members, including original guitarist Angus Young, in Miami and Atlanta more than a month ago. It was then that the plan to have Rose join AC/DC, despite his own band’s live commitments, was hatched. There was also talk of having other singers alternate with Rose, including Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row (who had joined GNR onstage previously), and Nic Cester of the Aussie band Jet.
AC/DC’s Rock Or Bust stadium tour resumes May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and runs through June 12. Following the European run, Rose will head out on his Guns N’ Roses ‘Not In This Lifetime’ summer stadium tour, the dates of which were announced on April 6.
See the list of AC/DC European tour dates below:
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