17
17
0
Brian Francis Johnson (born 5 October 1947) is an English singer and songwriter. In 1980, he became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band AC/DC, after the death of their Second lead singer Bon Scott. He and the rest of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. In March 2016, Johnson stepped down from touring on the Rock or Bust World Tour due to hearing problems. On 20 May 2016, Johnson stated in an interview, "I've had a pretty good run" in AC/DC and implied that he might not be returning by saying, "I'm just thankful, really, that I came out of it in one piece."[1]
Johnson was one of the founding members of the rock band Geordie formed in Newcastle in 1971. After a few hit singles, including UK Top 10 "All Because of You" (1973), the band split up in 1978. Following the death of AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott on 19 February 1980, Johnson was asked to audition for the band in London. AC/DC lead guitarist and co-founder Angus Young recalled: "I remember Bon playing me Little Richard, and then telling me the story of when he saw Brian singing [with Geordie]." He says about that night: "There's this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs and then the next thing you know he hits the deck. He's on the floor, rolling around and screaming. I thought it was great, and then to top it off – you couldn't get a better encore – they came in and wheeled the guy off!'" Johnson was diagnosed with appendicitis later that night, which was the cause of his writhing around on stage.[2] The band agreed immediately that Johnson's performing style fit AC/DC's music. Johnson's first album with AC/DC, Back in Black, became the second all-time best-selling album worldwide according to some estimates. The Guardian ranked the successful transition to Johnson number 36 on their list of the 50 key events in rock music history.[3]
A native of Tyneside, northeast England, Johnson is known for his strong Geordie accent.[4] In July 2014 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Northumbria University in his home city Newcastle in recognition of his significant contribution to the music industry.[5]
Johnson was one of the founding members of the rock band Geordie formed in Newcastle in 1971. After a few hit singles, including UK Top 10 "All Because of You" (1973), the band split up in 1978. Following the death of AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott on 19 February 1980, Johnson was asked to audition for the band in London. AC/DC lead guitarist and co-founder Angus Young recalled: "I remember Bon playing me Little Richard, and then telling me the story of when he saw Brian singing [with Geordie]." He says about that night: "There's this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs and then the next thing you know he hits the deck. He's on the floor, rolling around and screaming. I thought it was great, and then to top it off – you couldn't get a better encore – they came in and wheeled the guy off!'" Johnson was diagnosed with appendicitis later that night, which was the cause of his writhing around on stage.[2] The band agreed immediately that Johnson's performing style fit AC/DC's music. Johnson's first album with AC/DC, Back in Black, became the second all-time best-selling album worldwide according to some estimates. The Guardian ranked the successful transition to Johnson number 36 on their list of the 50 key events in rock music history.[3]
A native of Tyneside, northeast England, Johnson is known for his strong Geordie accent.[4] In July 2014 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Northumbria University in his home city Newcastle in recognition of his significant contribution to the music industry.[5]
Brian Johnson - Wikipedia
Posted from en.wikipedia.org
Birthday
Classic Rock
Rock Music
Music
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
4
4
0
Interview: Brian Johnson AC/DC
The AC/DC legend talks to Leona Graham. See the full interview here.
Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that October 5 is the anniversary of the birth of English singer and songwriter Brian Francis Johnson who became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band AC/DC in 1980, after the death of their Second lead singer Bon Scott. He and the rest of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Background from allmusic.com/artist/brian-johnson-mn [login to see] /biography
"It's never easy to replace a founding member of a band who dies tragically, but AC/DC's Brian Johnsonfit in with the Australian hard rocking band perfectly, and was accepted immediately by the group's legion of fans. Born on October 5, 1947, in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Johnson sang with a church choir as a youngster, but like zillions of other teenagers of the '60s, was taken by rock & roll. In early 1972, Johnson formed his first serious rock band, USA. Just a few months later, the band changed their name to Geordie and focused on hitting it big in the then-thriving U.K. glam rock scene. The band scored several hits in their homeland, including the Top Ten "All Because of You" and the Top 20 "Can You Do It."
Although the glam scene was fading rapidly by the mid-'70s, Geordie continued to play around England, but ultimately decided to call it a day by 1976. Johnson spent the next few years away from music, but eventually re-formed Geordie in 1980. Just as the band had signed a new record contract, AC/DC asked Johnson if he'd like to try out for the vacant lead vocalist position (singer Bon Scott died in February 1980 from alcohol poisoning). Interestingly, Scott himself had once seen Johnson perform with Geordie and gave the singer a rave review to his AC/DC mates. Johnson quickly passed the audition and was offered the slot. Putting his Geordie days behind him (the group unsuccessfully tried to soldier on without Johnson), Johnson's first release with AC/DC, 1980's classic Back in Black, became a monster hit right away. The album has become one of hard rock's all-time best-sellers over the years and pushed the band over the top globally.
Johnson's powerful yet grave voice proved to be the perfect foil for AC/DC's high-energy, hard-hitting rock, as the band continued to churn out best-selling albums and sold-out tours. Further Johnson-fronted AC/DC hit albums followed, tops being 1981's world-wide number one For Those About to Rock, 1986's motion picture soundtrack Who Made Who, 1990's The Razor's Edge, and their first release of the 21st century, Stiff Upper Lip. By now, an AC/DC member far longer than Scott was, Johnson remains one of rock's most instantly recognizable voices."
Interview: Brian Johnson AC/DC
"The AC/DC legend talks to Leona Graham."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZl9CHPuzXk
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
Background from allmusic.com/artist/brian-johnson-mn [login to see] /biography
"It's never easy to replace a founding member of a band who dies tragically, but AC/DC's Brian Johnsonfit in with the Australian hard rocking band perfectly, and was accepted immediately by the group's legion of fans. Born on October 5, 1947, in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, Johnson sang with a church choir as a youngster, but like zillions of other teenagers of the '60s, was taken by rock & roll. In early 1972, Johnson formed his first serious rock band, USA. Just a few months later, the band changed their name to Geordie and focused on hitting it big in the then-thriving U.K. glam rock scene. The band scored several hits in their homeland, including the Top Ten "All Because of You" and the Top 20 "Can You Do It."
Although the glam scene was fading rapidly by the mid-'70s, Geordie continued to play around England, but ultimately decided to call it a day by 1976. Johnson spent the next few years away from music, but eventually re-formed Geordie in 1980. Just as the band had signed a new record contract, AC/DC asked Johnson if he'd like to try out for the vacant lead vocalist position (singer Bon Scott died in February 1980 from alcohol poisoning). Interestingly, Scott himself had once seen Johnson perform with Geordie and gave the singer a rave review to his AC/DC mates. Johnson quickly passed the audition and was offered the slot. Putting his Geordie days behind him (the group unsuccessfully tried to soldier on without Johnson), Johnson's first release with AC/DC, 1980's classic Back in Black, became a monster hit right away. The album has become one of hard rock's all-time best-sellers over the years and pushed the band over the top globally.
Johnson's powerful yet grave voice proved to be the perfect foil for AC/DC's high-energy, hard-hitting rock, as the band continued to churn out best-selling albums and sold-out tours. Further Johnson-fronted AC/DC hit albums followed, tops being 1981's world-wide number one For Those About to Rock, 1986's motion picture soundtrack Who Made Who, 1990's The Razor's Edge, and their first release of the 21st century, Stiff Upper Lip. By now, an AC/DC member far longer than Scott was, Johnson remains one of rock's most instantly recognizable voices."
Interview: Brian Johnson AC/DC
"The AC/DC legend talks to Leona Graham."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZl9CHPuzXk
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
4
4
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google