AC/DC launched their Rock or Bust World Tour in April 2015. The trek featured seven legs over 17 months and saw the group touching down in cities around the world. Unfortunately, vocalist Brian Johnson had to step away from the tour in early 2016, forcing the band to postpone several dates between March and April. Then, the band shocked the rock world on this day (May 7) when they took the stage with Axl Rose in Johnson’s place.
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Johnson was suffering from hearing loss after the first few months of touring. As a result, his doctors urged him to take a break from the road. “For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that, in time, my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live performances,” he wrote in a press release after the band made the initial announcement.
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Rose joined AC/DC for the first time on May 7 in Lisbon, Portugal. He would go on to finish the tour with them, fronting the legendary rock band for 23 shows. At the time, rumors that he would replace Johnson as the band’s official vocalist floated around the internet. Additionally, it was rumored that Rose and Angus Young planned to record an album after the tour ended.
Chris Slade Recalls Axl Rose’s Time with AC/DC
Chris Slade was AC/DC’s drummer between 1989 and 1994. More than a decade later, he came back for the Rock or Bust World Tour. He recalled touring with Axl Rose during an appearance on the On the Road to Rock podcast.
“Axl, I think, honestly, he did a great job. Tremendous job,” Slade said. “He’s not Brian, and he wasn’t trying to be Brian–and he also was not trying to be Bon. He’s got a lot of respect for Bon Scott, I know he has, and AC/DC,” he added.
Rose is infamously mercurial on the road. He is known for his onstage outbursts, taking the stage late, or deciding to end a show partway through the setlist. However, Rose was on his best behavior while on the road with the Australian rock giants.
Slade revealed that Young and the band’s management gave Rose one warning. “If you screw up, Axl, you’;; get the boot,” the told him. That warning was seemingly all the “Welcome to the Jungle” singer needed.
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