AC/DC News - Axl Rose, Brian Johnson, Tour Dates

AC/DC European Tour Dates - News - Axl Rose - Brian Johnson

The AC/DC Rock 'N Roll Machine rolls on despite a number of setbacks in recent months. Phil Rudd, convicted last year of drug possession and making threats to kill has been sentenced to house arrest in 2015, and guitarist Malcolm Young, recently diagnosed with dementia has called it a day. Stevie Young takes over for Malcom and Chris Slade has replaced Phil. Now Brian Johnson, for health reasons is going to be replaced by Axl Rose. These troubled times have also shaken their fans. Fans are not sure what to expect, what they will be getting and have fan attachments to their fallen heroes. That said, the band led by Angus plans to continue and I for one look forward to seeing the results.

The band's signature dynamic has been altered, but there is a chance that the new players will bring a new enthusiasm to the classic AC/DC catalog.

The band released the following statement.

“AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years,” the group said in a statement. “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.”

Shortly after this statement was released there was some outcry over this as being a bit shallow and not forthcoming with more details. It is vague and leaves us to wonder about the individual future of Brian with AC/DC.

This is Brian Johnson’s full statement:

“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 band-mates 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.”

Love,
Brian

This statement was more acceptable to fans, and media, although the burning $64,000 question fans want to know...is Brian Johnson O.K. with Axl Rose taking over for him. The above statement never makes that clear, only time will tell on that. My hunch is that is not pleased at all with the band's choice to continue and finish the tour dates that remain.

Bringing you more up to date, the band has instructed promoters to offer full refunds to any ticket-holder that does not want to see Axl as the band's Guest Vocalist. A Belgian newspaper has reported that 7,000 fans have asked for refunds in advance of a May 16th date. A local promoter told AC/DC’s rep that a small number of refunds were also given for this weekend’s opening date in Lisbon on May 7th. These, returned tickets are going back on sale, and they're expected to sell out immediately.

AC/DC along with Axl have been rehearsing hard core for the past two weeks in Lisbon, in preparation of the tour's opening date in two days on May7th.

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.

AC/DC’s European Tour Dates with Axl Rose

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

The US tour dates listed below, will be made up later in the year. More information regarding these rescheduled shows will be announced later. Current ticket holders can hold on to their tickets for the rescheduled dates or receive a refund at point of purchase.

DATES TO BE RESCHEDULED

March 8         Atlanta, GA          Philips Arena

March 11       Ft. Lauderdale, FL       BB&T Center         

March 14       Greensboro, NC        Greensboro Coliseum

March 17       Washington, DC        Verizon Center

March 20       Detroit, MI            The Palace

March 23       Columbus, OH          Nationwide Arena

March 26       Cleveland, OH          Quicken Loans Arena

March 29       Buffalo, NY             First Niagara Center

April 1         Philadelphia, PA        Wells Fargo Center

April 4         New York, NY           Madison Square Garden

The American dates will be posted here as soon as they're announced. Ticket-holder's of any of the above dates can also receive full refunds. I think before anyone acts to impulsively against the idea of Axl as a Guest Vocalist, it should be remembered it is just that, a temporary fill in. With that in mind, I think it is more of a special event to experience the Band doing their classic songs with a different singer. Sometimes, something new, and something different turns into something special.