Brian Johnson recently touched on what he thought about Axl Rose filling in for him on AC/DC’s tour following his exit from the band due to hearing loss issues.
In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Johnson said, “He jumped into a tough, tough vocalist gig. Youâve got to be on top of your game for that. Thereâs not many resting places. Youâve really got to go in full chop, all of the time. And for him to do that at such short notice was pretty fantastic. Iâve got a lot of respect for what he did, you know. A lot of respect.”
Regarding Johnson’s hearing loss issues, he told Rolling Stone last month he’s received some very secretive treatment from “an unnamed hearing expert” that has allowed him to hear properly and sing with the band again.
“The first time he came down he brought this thing that looked like a car battery,” said Johnson. “I went, âWhat in the hell is that?â He said, âWeâre going to miniaturize it.â It took two and a half years. He came down once a month. Weâd sit there and it was boring as s— with all these wires and computer screens and noises. But it was well worth it. The only thing I can tell you is that it uses the bone structure in the skull as a receiver. Thatâs as much as I can tell you.”
As for performing again, Johnson is eager to do so with AC/DC, but obviously, that’s going to depend on the state of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had a little tryout, and it was really good, I thought, for me anyway,” said Johnson of rehearsing with the band to UCR. “Weâre all sitting penned up, cautious and wary. We donât know what the hellâs happening. Weâve just got our fingers crossed that it blow over. Which it has to at some time.”