AC/DC kicks Brian Johnson to the curb

I guess it is official now. When Brian Johnson conveyed to the band he was having hearing issues and was advised to stop touring or maybe suffer permanent hearing loss, there was no band discussion. While Brian tried to tell Angus he couldn't play all of the dates on the remaining tour but thinks he could play some of them, it was met with...ironically...deafening silence by Angus. Brian states there was no discussion. In the next few days, all of Brian's luggage, etc. was shipped and dropped off on his driveway. Yes, you could say Brian was disposed of like a piece of garbage...never even got a chance to sit down with the band to discuss any of it. It was just over with the understanding that he would be replaced for the remainder of the tour and probably gone for good.

Well, that was all but confirmed when AC/DC released their press statement about Axl Rose taking over as lead singer for the remainder of the tour while "thanking" Brian Johnson for his years of service as a member of AC/DC. Yes, the guy who was lead singer for AC/DC's most successful album "Back in Black" and all the success that happened thereafter didn't even get the luxury of a band meeting to discuss the situation. He got silence from Angus in a one-sided phone call...no discussion.

Brian was obviously upset and apparently is friends with the comedian/former SNL guy Jim Breuer. Jim came out to visit with Brian after a stand-up gig as they are friends and Brian dumped his feelings to Jim. He felt like he was thrown away like a piece of trash. Even though Brian wanted to sit down with the band and try to work through it wanting to play more live gigs, he was not given the opportunity but was kicked to the curb. His comments were that "Angus" is the only irreplaceable band member. Brian was wanting to continue (to what degree would have been established as well as how he would mitigate the hearing loss issues (umm...their called ear plugs?))...but never even got the chance to present his case. Angus heard "hearing loss" and "potentially permanent"...and that was that. The doctor even said the diagnosis wasn't for sure and more evaluation was needed.

That said, when you think of AC/DC, you don't just think of Angus. It's always been primarily Angus and Brian. Brian's vocals are as much known for AC/DC's trademark sound as Angus's guitar riffs are. They went hand-in-hand to most fans...including this one.

That said...while I was a big AC/DC fan back in the day in primarily my teenage years and college years (I actually saw the "Back in Black" tour at the old Astroworld stage (forget the name of that place)), I am not so much a fan these days other than an occasional listen to the old stuff but have great respect for what they have accomplished. But, when I see the treatment that Brian got, it just makes me cringe. Brian might as well have been a complete stranger with the treatment he got. While AC/DC's statement makes it sound like it was a gracious and amicable ending, it obviously was anything but. That's what Brian gets for his years of dedication and service.

I just find it hard to believe that's how it all went down...but that is how it went down. I definitely don't have a favorable opinion of Angus as a person after all this. And, the rest of the band mates are obviously a non-factor in what went down...and would easily get the shaft as well if the time comes.

I guess we are supposed to see this as Angus being dedicated to the tour and his fans. But, there is a right way to handle this and a wrong way. This was obviously the wrongest of ways.

 

Sure, there are plenty of band firings that went down ugly. And, no doubt this was one of them. The outcome may not have been pleasant regardless. But, I guess it goes to show the relationship between Brian and Angus likely is not a close one. These things are usually a little more difficult because band friendships are involved. I take this to mean Brian and Angus were not really close at all. Their relationship may have deteriorated. It kind of reminds me of the relationship with Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth. Those guys could care less if they ever saw each other again probably. EVH only puts up with him because he's the best singer fit for the band and they have absolutely no relationship whatsoever off stage.

I get what you are saying, though. I think Brian deserved a little better, though, and so does he. I have a bit of difficulty relating a band business to that of an actual company but business is business. At least in an actual company, you usually get a sitdown with HR and maybe your boss on the way out...along with an escort from security out of the building. LOL

 

lol...apparently there are articles now out that Jim is reneging on the original story of the details he divulged. He's not saying that the claims of Brian's depression and wanting to finish the tour while working through the issues with the band are not true. But, he does claim he got carried away and let his own personal bias and friendship cloud his comments. He didn't think his commentary on the situation would go viral...which it did.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/c...dc-brian-johnson-podcast-carried-away-replace

http://www.metalinjection.net/shocking-revelations/its-official-acdc-confirm-axl-rose-as-new-singer

So, apparently there are some half-truths involved. It's probably Brian is more disappointed in the overall situation than anything else. But, there was the claim that this did not go down amicably. It is what it is I guess.

 

I have to release my own statement now.

 

Oh man...I can't wait for the moment when Angus is like "alright guys...it's time to go on stage to perform" and Axl is like "umm...I'm not ready to go on now because...". AC/DC is going to be sitting around for 1 - 2 hours waiting on when Axl is ready to go on stage. It's pretty much guaranteed this is going to happen.

 

Yep. It's also been said that Brian is 67 and Angus is 60. And, Angus wants to tour at least another 10 years. Difficult to see that happening with a 70+ year old...except if your Mick Jagger maybe. I don't think Brian is in the kind of shape Mick is in to pull that one off but could be wrong (hearing issues aside).

Just waiting on the TV show that allows everyone to audition for the front-man gig. Not saying I will be auditioning, though, but someone out there is the next front-man for AC/DC apparently. Just need that voice that fits AC/DC. It's probably going to be some scruffy nerf-herder dude who rides a Harley.