We have not one but two bits of encouraging news from the AC/DC camp. First is up is the first Brian Johnson vocal track since he bowed out of his band’s “Rock Or Bust” tour back in April. The singer’s hearing problem that could have led to total deafness if he continued to sing onstage allows Johnson to still wail in the recording studio.
And that’s just what he does on “Mr. Rock n Roll,” a track from the first musical album from standup comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Jim Breuer. Give a listen to how Johnson remains in prime voice as he trades vocals with Breuer.
The album Songs From the Garage by Jim Breuer and the Loud and Rowdy comes out on May 27th on Metal Blade Records, the label that issued seminal early recordings by such bands as Metallica and Slayer. Breuer is an avid metal fan who is well-known for his spot-on impersonations of hard rock singers in his routines, and is a friend of Johnson’s who has been a passionate advocate for the singer during Johnson’s recent travails. The album has two songs on which Johnson sings; the other is titled “My Rock n Roll Dream.”
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Meanwhile, AC/DC drummer Chris Slade confirmed in a Facebook chat with fans that AC/DC will continue making music after they finish fulfilling their tour commitments with Axl Rose filling in for Johnson. “Angus [Young, AC/DC guitarist and founder] is definitely NOT thinking of retiring,” he asserts.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the band in this form,” Slade says. “Of course, everyone would like it to be Brian up there but unfortunately, due to his health problems, this is not possible. Axl is doing a wonderful job and the majority opinion now is that the band were right to finish the Rock or Bust tour with him. Fans have the opportunity to go to the shows or not, it is entirely their choice or indeed their loss.”
Rose has already indicated that he would be honored to continue working with AC/DC. Best Classic Bands reported last week that Johnson will meet this week with in-ear monitor inventor Stephen Ambrose about a possible technical solution that would allow him to perform live again. So just maybe, AC/DC could in the future have two singers….
