Axl Rose has just been named the new singer of AC/DC, which poses just one question: will he take the band to the “Paradise City” or down the “Highway to Hell?”
No, you’re not hallucinating. The petulant primadonna of Guns N’ Roses is, at least temporarily, lending his talent to another iconic rock band.
Brian Johnson, who had been the band’s singer for about 36 years, recently had to depart from the group due to significant hearing loss.
Johnson said in a recent statement he was unable to hear the other band members playing and was afraid it could negatively affect his stage performance.
This immediate lineup change makes Johnson the third vocalist to leave the group, after Dave Evans and Bon Scott.
None of these three singers are really that similar, which is important when considering the prospect of Rose as the new singer.
Evans brought AC/DC a smooth Stray Cats-esque strut. While entertaining and talented, the band then was a sort of cardboard cut-out of the majority of 1970s garage bands.
However, because he never actually recorded an album with AC/DC, Evans is often overlooked and forgotten by even the most die-hard band fans.
for about six years before his untimely death in 1980, Scott gave the band the snarky and depraved behavior it’s so famous for now.
When Scott died of alcohol poisoning, the band was at the peak of its career. They had just released “Highway to Hell,” which was their first album to break the US Top 100 and is their highest-selling record to date.
AC/DC was so successful, in fact, they figured they might as well quit while they were ahead. Scott’s family said, however, that he would have wanted them to continue as a band.
So the band put on auditions for a new singer, which introduced them to Johnson. Scott greatly admired Johnson, often comparing him to his idol Little Richard. Once the band heard Johnson, they realized Scott’s admiration was more than warranted.
With Johnson came true stardom for AC/DC. Every record released under his leadership was a hit with nearly every song receiving radio-play.
There’s no other way to say it: Johnson was a talisman to AC/DC.
It’s a grave question what exactly Rose will contribute to this band.
There may be no worry at all, since as for now, Rose is only planning on touring with the band for the remainder of its Rock or Bust Tour. However, I feel like since he greatly admires this band, the temptation to stay may be too great to pass up.
Therefore, let’s entertain this idea of him staying a bit longer.
While a very talented frontman, Rose is notorious for being spoiled and self-entitled at all the most inconvenient times.
Will AC/DC concerts now start three and a half hours after their scheduled time? Guns N’ Roses is already notorious for that. I find it doubtful AC/DC will be able to keep Rose in line.
A fiery feud between Rose and Angus Young could ignite too, similar to the Rose-Slash feud that only recently subsided. After all, Rose isn’t known for compromise.
Beside this, however, Rose does have the potential of actually having a positive influence on the band.
Each past vocalist brought its own unique style and rich toughness to AC/DC. With Guns N’ Roses being arguably one of the toughest groups of the 1980s, perhaps Rose’s vocal style could actually work to the benefit of AC/DC.
It seems like the band’s sound was only growing heavier and heavier with each vocalist, so Rose could help the band continue down this path.
In fact, you can go to YouTube now and check out his cover of “Whole Lotta Rosie” with Young. It sounds like a strange yet beautiful blend of Scott’s AC/DC with punk and hard rock vocals. It could very well be a good omen for the future of the band.
Also, there are several songs on the “Appetite for Destruction” album that simply sound like R-rated versions of AC/DC’s discography, such as “Nightrain,” “It’s So Easy” and “Anything Goes.”
Young has always been the most chaotic powerhouse of AC/DC. Rose could be the first vocalist to finally match Young’s anarchy.
Let’s face it — it was a match made in hell.
But hey, that’s rock ‘n roll, right?
None of us fans know where Rose will take the band, so it’s too soon to start fretting until we hear the music.
So, good luck, Rose, and for those about to rock, we salute you.
