AC/DC – Any New Singer Now Would Make The Band DC/AC
Let’s skip over all the he said/she said baloney and get right to the Metal point here. A new lead singer for AC/DC, at this stage of the game, would be nonsense. Give me a fu*%ing break, please. Back when the legendary Bon Scott passed away and Brian Johnson came on board, the band was young, dynamic and had decades ahead of them to take over the world; as they eventually did. Back in 1980, the Hard Rock world was still evolving by the day, where now Hard Rock has stalled with creativity like a 1972 Ford Pinto.
Without the great Brian Johnson on the mic, AC/DC is over, Angus Young, whether you want to admit it or not. Guest vocalist doesn’t cut it here; it would still be a new vocalist whether we all like it or not. There comes a time in life when you realize it’s over and even Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter figured that out. It is what it is and AC/DC pretty much was.
Drummer Phil Rudd got himself in hefty legal trouble and is no longer with the band, while Malcolm Young has health issues and is no longer with the band too. To top it all off with a brand new singer, AC/DC would just become DC/AC. Sure, there was Van Halen having Sammy Hagar step in; only any fan knows that band was really Van Hagar. Van Halen III was an anomaly and (good guy) Gary Cherone is certainly not at fault for that. Queen has proven to me that they are just a super all-star band without the iconic Freddie Mercury. Brian May couldn’t leave well enough alone, in my Metal opinion.
I absolutely love Queensrÿche and when super-talented Todd La Torre replaced the enigmatic Geoff Tate I was stunned. Still, that lead singer change made perfect sense (IMO) due to the surrounding circumstances of that time and Queensrÿche is not Led Zeppelin, KISS, The Who or The Rolling Stones either. Queensrÿche have more than paid their dues and are back stronger than ever. Again, it was different circumstances. A new lead singer for AC/DC in 2016 would equate to the New York Yankees moving to Nebraska. It’s just not a good idea at all.
I could go on and on with comparisons of world-famous bands changing lead singers; only it would not change my mind about AC/DC saying adios to Brian Johnson. I have my incredible memories of seeing AC/DC live and own their entire (U.S.) discography. I grew up with AC/DC and this band’s music has done wonders for me, through thick and thin! I am not about to embrace an AC/DC Part III now, even if the lead singer were to be someone famous and that I respect dearly. In the end, a new/guest singer for AC/DC would make this iconic band into a revival band of themselves. How do you feel about this? Leave a comment or a rant. Get it off your Metal chest. Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
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LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF AC/DC.
Stone.
March 21, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Agreed, my man. It’s a shame that this is happening. I personally don’t have a problem with AC/DC using a different singer or singers to finish off their final tour dates so they don’t have to cancel those shows permanently. But continuing AC/DC with a singer beyond this would be wrong. They have had three singers (don’t forget Evans!) and nobody wants a new one. However if Angus did continue as a solo artist he would have tremendous success.
Long live AC/DC.
March 21, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Great points, Mike. If I had a ticket to see AC/DC on one of the re-scheduled shows, I’d want my money refunded. I still do not even agree with a singer change for the remaining shows.
I mean, it just would not be the same, Mike! It would be like bringing Blaze Bayley back to Iron Maiden to finish off their remaining 2016 tour dates. IMO. \m/\m/
March 21, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Lol! Yeah and I agree – if a fan bought a ticket to see Brian Johnson they have a right to a refund! Good one about Blaze! I would not wanna see that.
March 21, 2016 at 3:23 pm
I have mixed feelings about this. Brian has had a good run, but he’s not taken care of his voice and the band has needed to tune its instruments down to help him out. What’s wrong with getting a new singer if the intention is to make new music? My understanding is that is exactly what AC/DC wants to do. A new singer with a fresh perspective can maybe get some inspiration for Angus to get out and play. After all, it’s all about the love of music – they don’t need the money.
March 21, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Thank you David for your take on this, it’s much appreciated!
I’d go along with that idea of the band continuing onward without Brian Johnson, only rename the band as “AC/DC All-Star Salute Featuring Angus Young”. Plus the ticket holders for the cancelled U.S. dates should have the choice of requesting a refund; after all, these fans paid to see Brian Johnson and not a guest vocalist.
I have no problem with Angus wanting to continue on making new music; only he should realize not everyone is going to embrace his new guest vocalist(s) under the AC/DC banner. It’s like the Rolling Stones wanting to continue on without Mick Jagger as The Rolling Stones. IMO.
March 21, 2016 at 9:40 pm
An Angus solos album with a superstar cast, a-la Santana, would sell a bajillion copies. That’s how I would like to see him release new music.
It’s like Van Halen — who the hell wants singer #4? Nobody.
March 21, 2016 at 11:06 pm
Right on, Mike! If Angus Young doesn’t need the money, then why go through with this? It’s over. Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney don’t tour independently as The Beatles for crap sakes.
March 22, 2016 at 8:26 am
My nightmare is that if Paul dies, Ringo will form a new Beatles with Danni Harrison and other folks.
March 21, 2016 at 9:38 pm
I get what you’re saying, but virtually every single classic rock band with the old singers has to lower the key. Def Leppard, I think, do not. I might be wrong.
March 21, 2016 at 7:13 pm
This just reeks bad business…..tarnish a career that had been gold until now!
March 21, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Yup! Why doesn’t Angus Young just cancel the AC/DC tour and begin a solo career with a new vocalist and new band name. That makes more sense to me. Heck, each member of The Beatles went their separate ways and sold tens of millions of records!
March 21, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Reeks like my bum!
March 23, 2016 at 12:13 am
My bum reeks whenever I eat brisket. Go figure. 😦
March 23, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Now I’m hungry for brisket. Do you know how hard it is to get brisket (good brisket) in Canada!?!
March 24, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Yes, good brisket is worth every penny. I wonder why your brisket is not good up there? Hope your not importing it from China (!)
March 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm
We just don’t have the experience to make it properly! We have good Canadian beef…but few who know the secrets of the brisket! We have family in Texas so I hope one day to visit and experience the REAL deal.
March 24, 2016 at 5:02 pm
OMG Texas brisket! I NEED to experience that! I probably would not leave Texas after eating brisket there. 🙂 \m/
March 24, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Oh I know…not to mention RIBS…
March 24, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Ohhhh… I would weigh easily 400 to 450 pounds, if I lived in Texas.
March 24, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I would for sure need a new fitness regimen. But it’s warm all year round, no hibernation, so I could work it all off.
March 24, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Yes… that is true. I see many barbecues that are in Texas, on television shows. The lines of people waiting for that Texas BBQ is insane!! Especially when the establishment has a good reputation! Whoa. 🙂 \m/
March 22, 2016 at 10:49 am
First time hearing of any of this. Sometimes artists just hang on too long. Maybe they should retire AC/DC and leave their amazing work for us to still enjoy. Then maybe Angus could start a new band that plays occasional AC/DC songs along with new material. Wouldn’t tarnish the legacy at all.
March 23, 2016 at 12:11 am
I totally agree with you, man! Heck, it will be interesting to see who the new or guest singer is. Maybe it’s Lady Gaga. 🙂
March 23, 2016 at 7:34 am
I actually might pay to hear her sing “Big Balls”.
March 22, 2016 at 6:55 pm
I don’t think I can say it any better that what has already been said here. I have to go along with the majority consensus here. Without Brian Johnson or Malcolm Young, calling the band AC/DC would not do the band justice. Young, Young and Johnson were the principal song writers as well. If Angus Young takes stock what has been written here and changes the name, I just hope he doesn’t do something stupid like call the band AC/DC Featuring Angus Young.
December 1, 2016 at 5:39 pm
You know the bottom line is Angus Young is AC/DC and the band has continued thru to this day because he is a musician for life and that’s what keeps him going. Who being it to tell him that he can’t do what he loves anymore under what ever moniker he so desires. If AC/DC continues and you don’t want to go see them so be it. But all you arm chair quarterbacks need to leave what is best for Angus for Angus to decide.
December 1, 2016 at 7:41 pm
I cannot have an opinion? Sorry, it’s MY blog. If Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reformed the band with 2 new guitarists would it still be the Beatles?
And… I am not an “armchair quarterback”… thank you very much.