AC/DC: Classic or Dud

Indeed. Has there ever been a more perfect time to knock it on the head?

Yeah, I mean, that's pretty much it, isn't it? "OK, we've reached the point where our singer can't hear anymore. Bye!"

And I know it's not quite as loud onstage as in the audience, but the loudest sound I've ever been exposed to was the cannons in "For Those About To Rock." And I was wearing earplugs. I can't even imagine hearing those multiple times a week for months on end.

It's really insane, isn't it? Has there ever been another band that lost so many members in such quick, unrelated succession, and not by death, firing or quitting? Phil Rudd in legal limbo, Malcolm committed, and now Brian told to stop? It's just crazy. If I were Cliff or Angus I'd sleep with one eye open.

Coming soon: AC/DC III with GARY CHERONE!

AC/D3

"For those about to rock, get the funk out!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGiJ1Vkpdsc

They should get Udo

There are a hundred different ways to make fun of this, but the fact of the matter is it is actually really hard to sing AC/DC songs.

Have to be willing to run your cords through a cheese grater for one

I might be willing to go see "AC/DC" if the guest vocalist was Angry Anderson (ex-Rose Tattoo) or Dan McCafferty (ex-Nazareth). Beyond that, I don't know.

I would actually rather see AC/DC with Rudd and without Johnson than the other way around.

But what is (or was, I guess) Johnson's range these days? Can he even get anywhere near the high notes in "Back In Black"? A younger singer might be able to deliver where Johnson couldn't.

Perfect tribute would be to tour the hits with no vocalist and ask the crowd to sing everything.

McCafferty is retired. Nazareth started touting without him a year or two ago.
I wonder if Marc Storage is busy.

Storace.

dafuq - who the hell would wanna see Nazareth without that dude

did they have Steven Wright in his place speaking the lyrics

"now you're messin with....a son...of a bitch, man"

But what is (or was, I guess) Johnson's range these days? Can he even get anywhere near the high notes in "Back In Black"? A younger singer might be able to deliver where Johnson couldn't.

― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Monday, March 7, 2016 8:38 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

that's the thing, Johnson has sounded like garbage for several decades, really. live versions of Back in Black have sounded terrible since I was in Elementary school

Eh, the two times I saw them on the "Stiff Upper Lip" (or maybe "Ballbreaker?" Or both?) tour they and he sounded fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1u_lyJWGeM

this doesn't really "sound fine" to me - i mean, he's mostly hitting the right notes, but there's not a lot of power behind them, he's slurring his words a lot too compared to how he sounded in his prime. esp when compared with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQywr-PBR_o

and 15 years ago. from his last tour, he sounds godawful - and it's in a lower key now too. he has no power anymore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBApAURdgns

Checking out the earlier two I fell in love again with the flat slam of Mal's rhythm playing. But really, with Brian, Phil and most importantly Mal gone, it's time to hang it up.

Oh, I agree there's no power to his vox. But it's not like he's hitting bum shrieks or whatever. And I know I was listening critically back in 2001 or whenever, just don't think it mattered. Haven't seen them since, though, and yeah, it's been a while. I don't know what singer gets better as he reaches his 70s. Springsteen is about as good as they get in terms of powerhouse vocals in old age, and he's singing in different registers/keys, too, with less power, etc. And you know he's been taking better care of himself.

How is the Highway to Hell 33 1/3 book?

Eh, the two times I saw them on the "Stiff Upper Lip" (or maybe "Ballbreaker?" Or both?) tour they and he sounded fine.

I saw them on the Ballbreaker tour, and he did sound fine, but also changed some melodies around slightly to avoid the highest notes ("Back in Black" most obviously). He wasn't super powerful, but he was by no means tired or struggling.

I saw them in 2008 (twice!) and he sounded as good as I expected the singer for AC/DC, whose voice sounds like sheets of plate glass being fed into a tree shredder at the best of times, to sound.

I'm honestly trying to think of a way that AC/DC could feasibly carry on in this situation, and I really can't think of one. What else could Angus possibly do, though? Solo work or moonlighting on other peoples records? Guesting on other classic rock acts live performances? Joining the fucking Foo Fighters?

He should join the Bad Seeds.

"I found myself in the middle of a Nirvana reunion!"

*duck walk*

Short term, for this ongoing tour, there must be at least a couple of ac/dc tribute/cover band singers who could join the real band and not suck at all. Didn't this happen before with some other band? (not Foreigner, though, which was the name that first came to mind)

In the third video above from Neanderthal, the still/thumbnail image looks like Angus is wearing a Michael Myers mask.

Short term, for this ongoing tour, there must be at least a couple of ac/dc tribute/cover band singers who could join the real band and not suck at all. Didn't this happen before with some other band? (not Foreigner, though, which was the name that first came to mind)

Judas Priest is the most famous example, and I think Journey's current singer is from a tribute band.

I.e. a William Shatner mask? xpost

Journey, that was who I meant! Thx!

It'd be pretty hilarious if they turned into Yes, who, let's not forget, currently contain not a single fucking original member!

(Seriously, though, what would it take for that band to split up!?)

They just can't say no, can they?

Listen pal, if it's Steve Howe and your Granny on bongos...

I think Yes has gone through two tribute singers!

Yes, Shatner, turned inside out and painted white.

Foreigner has done several shows with no originals in recent years due to Jones having to miss many shows due to health

J Geils band also touring without J Geils

http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/03/brian-johnson-downplays-hearing-issues-says-he-was-kicked-to-the-curb-acdc/

Breuer said that Johnson even received a second opinion and was told his hearing damage wasn’t as bad as he was initially led to believe. “Then he’s like, ‘You know what? I would really like to finish and do some shows. I think we can knock this out.'” However, as Breuer went on to reveal, “Then all his luggage that he toured with showed up at his driveway. There’s been no calls. No, ‘How’s your hearing? How’s your health? What’s going on?’ Boom. Here’s your shit, nice to know you.'”

The fuck is that dude's relationship to the story?

I know, right? Supposedly, Johnson and Breuer are friends, and Breuer spilled all that on his podcast.

Meanwhile, Gary Cherone sits by the phone...

...as Angus wonders where he left Jeff Scott Soto's number

I can just see it!

'For Those About To Rock...Get The Funk Out!'
'Hole Hearted Rosie'
'Let There Be More Than Words'

and... uh... 'Stop The Jack (I Wanna Get Off)'

If this is true, this is a very bad idea:
http://www.alternativenation.net/axl-rose-ac-dc-all-but-done-deal/

Ha ha, that is never gonna happen. AC/DC are a highly disciplined organization; there's no way they're gonna put up with Axl's antics. AC/DC have never taken the stage 90 seconds late, never mind two hours because the singer's just not feeling it. This is one of the most implausible slabs of bullshit I've ever read.