ac/dc
18:59 Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Yes, AC/DC is still being fronted vocalist Brian Johnson. We'll explain the confusion.
Brian Johnson fronted AC/DC between 1980 and 2016, at which point Johnson retired due to hearing loss issues. AC/DC was fronted by Axl Rose for the remainder of their tour, and rumors began circulating that the band was working on new material with the Guns N' Roses frontman. AC/DC ultimately released Power Up in 2020 with Johnson once again on vocals, but obviously didn't tour thanks to the pandemic.
Then in a December 2022 interview with Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Johnson was asked if he and AC/DC will ever get back together on stage. Johnson answered "I'm not answering that. Why should I? First of all, there's five members in this band, and to ask one member isn't fair." Trunk then asked Johnson if he'd like to get back on stage with the band for the first time since 2016, to which he responded "Eddie, I cannot answer that. I've been told not to by everybody. It's the official line."
Then AC/DC got announced as one of the six acts for the upcoming Power Trip festival, though the band didn't offer any further comment at the time. Now in an interview with the Fuelling Around podcast, Johnson expressed his excitement about Power Trip and the minimal (but insane) lineup.
"We decided to do this wonderful show that they've put together out in the desert near Palm Springs, near Coachella. It's all rock and roll bands. It's fantastic. I think it's just a statement to say that rock and roll is a legitimate form of music. It really has made a difference. Ozzy [Osbourne] is coming out of retirement so I'll be able to see my old pals again. The Guns N' Roses boys, the Metallica boys and the Iron Maiden boys — all in one field. Boy, what a party!"
"It's going to be in a beautiful valley, near Coachella, but I don't get involved in that kind of thing. I just like to turn up, get up and just rock my little socks off until I drop."
So there you have it – Johnson and AC/DC, getting back together on stage for the first time since 2016.