The Australian rock band AC/DC have announced Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, will step in as frontman to complete the band’s latest tour after AC/DC singer Brian Johnson stepped aside due to hearing loss.
Johnson, 68, who joined the band in 1980 after Bon Scott, the original lead singer, died after a heavy night’s drinking, was advised in March to “stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss”.
AC/DC was halfway through a US tour with 10 remaining shows, with another 12 shows planned for Europe in May and June.
AC/DC said in a statement on Sunday that Rose had “kindly offered his support” to help the band meet its touring commitments.
Rose, 54, will join the band for its first European show in Lisbon on 7 May.
The US tour dates will be announced “imminently”, the band said, and will also feature Rose.
The band thanked Johnson “for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years” and wished him luck with his “future ventures”.
Johnson has been quiet since the news was announced but close friend Jim Breuer, a comedian, said last month the rock star felt “kicked to the kerb” by the band.
Guns N’ Roses have reunited for the first time in two decades to play the Coachella festival in California this weekend. Rose will still play the band’s scheduled tour dates over the next months.
AC/DC parted ways with its drummer, Phil Rudd, in July last year after he was convicted of threatening to kill and possession of drugs.
Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young also stepped aside in September 2014 after announcing he had dementia.
The band has sold more than 200m records worldwide since it formed in 1973. Guns N’ Roses, formed in 1985, have sold about 100m.
