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AUSTRALIAN ROCKERS AC/DC have postponed the remaining dates on their US tour after singer Brian Johnson was warned he risked total deafness.
The 68-year-old Johnson “has been advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss,” the band said in a statement.
AC/DC, famous for playing at painfully high decibels, said it would play the 10 remaining US shows at later dates but “likely with a guest vocalist”.
Johnson, known for his trademark cap and a voice that strains the vocal cords, joined the band in 1980 after singer Bon Scott died following a night of heavy drinking.
The delayed shows include a concert due today in Atlanta as well as a 4 April show at Madison Square Garden in New York.
It remained unclear whether the band would be able to pursue the European leg of their “Rock or Bust” tour that is scheduled to begin on 7 May in Lisbon.
The tour had been due to end with a concert on 12 June at a 46,000-capacity park in Aarhus, Denmark.
Rock or bust
The rockers had added the additional dates after a busy 2015 that included a headliner appearance at Coachella in California, one of the world’s leading festivals.
But Johnson’s hearing problems are just the latest of the band’s woes.
AC/DC’s latest album “Rock or Bust,” released in 2014 after a six-year gap, is the first without founding member and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who has retired due to dementia.
Young’s brother Angus remains the lead guitarist – known, even at age 60, for sporting his signature schoolboy outfit.
The band has also parted ways with drummer Phil Rudd, who was convicted in New Zealand of threatening to kill an employee.
AC/DC has sold more than 200 million albums since 1973 with “Back in Black” among music history’s top sellers.
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a sad day for music an absolute legand of a man I hope he gets better soon
I grew up listening to DC and they’re a huge part of my life to this day, hope Brian heeds the medical advice and does what’s best for him, he’s given us enough
Surprised I am not deaf yet either AC\DC was always on high volume..
There’s no other way you can listen to AC/DC, but loud
No other way !
No other way, in my opinion
Correct. In order to appreciate the music it must be listened to loud.
200 million albums! Best live band I have ever seen
I’d say that has got to be depressing news for him. A musician, songwriter and a hell of a vocalist not being able to listen to music again. If I was him I’d just stop touring to be honest. Doing it for the sake of rock n’ roll has limits you know.
I’VE AN AUNT AND UNCLE WITH THE INITIALS AC&DC
It’s ok we’re not all going deaf………
Awe poor NYC, they are missing a legend concert. Glad I got to see the tour in Dublin last July 2nd. When driving home, I called into the radio station because they were taking calls on how the concert went. I sang a wee bit of shook me all night long. Hey, I sounded brilliant.
Their songs were just too high voltage for those about to rock. He had big balls and now it’s rock or bust. He definitely did shoot to thrill the Jack. I hope he does play ball, have a stiff upper lip and have a drink on me.
Finally got to see them last year. Best concert I was ever at.
What….?
Heyyh???
Worst band ever. Just noise.
Bit like you when you talk
Considering they’re the 6th highest grossing band of all time somebody likes listening to their noise?.
It’s all gone Pete Tong.
Hardly a singer… He just screams like he is gargling razor blades
There’s always their tribute band ab/cd
He’s not fit to lace Bon Scott’s drinks.
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