Roger Daltrey of The Who is the latest rock icon to suggest AC/DC moving forward without Brian Johnson is a bad idea.
Daltrey was recently asked by Jane Stevenson of IFP.com what his opinion was of Axl Rose coming in to front the group:
I mean I really feel badly for Brian. It must be heartbreaking for him after all the service he’s given that band over the years. I thought their farewell statement to the press, and to Brian, was fairly curt to say the least. I felt for him. That must have hurt. I’ve spoken to Brian. He’s got loads of other things he wants to do in his life. I think AC/DC will miss Brian much more than Brian will miss AC/DC. There you go. What do you expect from Australians? (laughs) … And he’s such a lovely guy, Brian. I’ve known him for 40 odd years, more. … I mean, go and see karaoke with Axl Rose? Give me a break. (Laughs).
(Under the circumstances we’ll let me get away with the ‘Australians’ remark).
Daltrey and Pete Townshend carry on as The Who without Keith Moon and John Entwhistle but the essence of the group, being the lead guitarist, songwriter and voice, remains intact.
Also technically the world “group” is associated with ‘two or more’ and there are still two original members of The Who. It is doubtful either Townshend or Daltrey, who both also perform and record as solo acts, would ever consider using the name The Who if it were just one of them left.
Angus Young is AC/DC’s only remaining original member. By the very definition of the word ‘group’ the group is over. What Angus calls AC/DC is now his backing band.
It also appears Brian Johnson has been treated as an employee not a partner for decades. Johnson’s name has not appeared on an AC/DC song credit since the ‘Blow Up Your Video’ album of the 80s. Also a partner cannot be sacked, he would have to leave voluntarily and that is not what appears to have happened.
AC/DC will start their Europeans tour with Axl Rose on May 7 in Lisbon.
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