It's official: Axl Rose will be touring as the singer of AC/DC. Following rumours and paparazzi photos suggesting that the Guns N' Roses yowler would be taking the place of ailing frontman Brian Johnson, AC/DC have confirmed that Rose will indeed be stepping in for their upcoming shows.
In a statement posted on their website, AC/DC wrote that Rose would be joining the band for their spring dates in Europe. He will also be appearing with them for their rescheduled North American tour, the dates of which haven't yet been confirmed.
There's no indication that Rose will be a full or permanent member of the arena-filling riff-rock outfit. Rather, they say that Rose has "kindly offered his support" to help them finish their tour.
The message also includes a thank-you to Brian Johnson, who recently revealed that his doctor ordered him to "stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss." From the sounds of things, Johnson won't ever be returning to the group; they wrote, "We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures." Read the full statement below.
It hasn't been confirmed whether AC/DC will continue to tour after completing their 2016 dates. Previous rumblings had suggested that the band will likely continue on for another album with a different singer. Rose's recruitment comes as bad news to the petitioners who want the band to stop touring altogether, and for Hives singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, who had been hoping to front AC/DC himself.
Scroll past AC/DC's statement to see their tour schedule. Meanwhile, Rose is still touring with the reunited lineup of Guns N' Roses.
AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment. AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals. The European stadium tour dates begin on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and run through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark as previously announced (see below for full itinerary). Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N Roses, Not In This Lifetime Summer Stadium Tour. The 10 postponed U.S shows will be rescheduled and announced imminently, also with Axl Rose.
Tour dates:
05/07 Lisbon, Portugal - Passeio Marítimo de Algés
05/10 Seville, Spain - Estadio de la Cartuja
05/13 Marseille, France - Stade Velodrome
05/16 Werchter, Belgium - Werchter Site
05/19 Vienna, Austria - Ernst-Happel Stadium
05/22 Prague, Czech Republic - Letnany Airport
05/26 Hamburg, Germany - Volksparkstadion
05/29 Berne, Switzerland - Stade de Suisse
06/01 Leipzig, Germany - Red Bull Arena
06/04 London, UK - The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
06/09 Manchester, UK - Etihad Stadium
06/12 Aarhus, Denmark - Ceres Park
In a statement posted on their website, AC/DC wrote that Rose would be joining the band for their spring dates in Europe. He will also be appearing with them for their rescheduled North American tour, the dates of which haven't yet been confirmed.
There's no indication that Rose will be a full or permanent member of the arena-filling riff-rock outfit. Rather, they say that Rose has "kindly offered his support" to help them finish their tour.
The message also includes a thank-you to Brian Johnson, who recently revealed that his doctor ordered him to "stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss." From the sounds of things, Johnson won't ever be returning to the group; they wrote, "We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures." Read the full statement below.
It hasn't been confirmed whether AC/DC will continue to tour after completing their 2016 dates. Previous rumblings had suggested that the band will likely continue on for another album with a different singer. Rose's recruitment comes as bad news to the petitioners who want the band to stop touring altogether, and for Hives singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, who had been hoping to front AC/DC himself.
Scroll past AC/DC's statement to see their tour schedule. Meanwhile, Rose is still touring with the reunited lineup of Guns N' Roses.
AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment. AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals. The European stadium tour dates begin on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal and run through June 12 in Aarhus, Denmark as previously announced (see below for full itinerary). Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N Roses, Not In This Lifetime Summer Stadium Tour. The 10 postponed U.S shows will be rescheduled and announced imminently, also with Axl Rose.
Tour dates:
05/07 Lisbon, Portugal - Passeio Marítimo de Algés
05/10 Seville, Spain - Estadio de la Cartuja
05/13 Marseille, France - Stade Velodrome
05/16 Werchter, Belgium - Werchter Site
05/19 Vienna, Austria - Ernst-Happel Stadium
05/22 Prague, Czech Republic - Letnany Airport
05/26 Hamburg, Germany - Volksparkstadion
05/29 Berne, Switzerland - Stade de Suisse
06/01 Leipzig, Germany - Red Bull Arena
06/04 London, UK - The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
06/09 Manchester, UK - Etihad Stadium
06/12 Aarhus, Denmark - Ceres Park
