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Brian Johnson (born October 5, 1947) is an English singer and songwriter who, since 1980, has been the lead singer for the Australian rock band AC/DC.
In 1972, Brian Johnson formed the glam rock band Geordie. However, after a few hit singles, including "All Because Of You", the band briefly split up in 1978. However, after Geordie reformed in 1980 and signed a record deal, Johnson was asked to audition for AC/DC, whose charismatic frontman, Bon Scott, had died on February 19, 1980.
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Quotations
I was annoyed that Bon wasn't given the respect due when he was alive.
I'm an out and out basic man and AC/DC are one of the best rock 'n' roll bands in the world, doing things just to the basics, you know.
Punk and all that was just an image that ripped people off. Johnny Rotten's a wanker, and that's all there is to it.
We AC/DC just go out and don't give a fuck about critics. We play what we play and that's that.
We AC/DC are never going to win any Grammy awards. We're never gonna win any respect from the squeaky-clean mob and Rolling Stone or everybody like that, because we don't give any messages out that they think are important.
They (the fans) have this intense loyalty. The kids don't want to just come to the show. They want a t-shirt that says,.
like AC/DC and I'll fight anyone who says different."
Encyclopedia
Brian Johnson (born October 5, 1947) is an English singer and songwriter who, since 1980, has been the lead singer for the Australian rock band AC/DC.
In 1972, Brian Johnson formed the glam rock band Geordie. However, after a few hit singles, including "All Because Of You", the band briefly split up in 1978. However, after Geordie reformed in 1980 and signed a record deal, Johnson was asked to audition for AC/DC, whose charismatic frontman, Bon Scott, had died on February 19, 1980. A fan sent the band's management a tape of Johnson performing with Geordie. With the support of his bandmates in Geordie, Brian Johnson joined AC/DC.
Johnson's first album with AC/DC, Back in Black, is the band's best selling album and ranks second among the top-selling albums, trailing only Michael Jackson's Thriller, which was released in 1982.
In 1997, Johnson recorded with the band Jackyl on their song "Locked and Loaded", and in 2002 wrote lyrics and sang on the track "Kill the Sunshine" from their album Relentless.
Biography
Brian Johnson was born in Dunston, Gateshead, UK. Johnson's father, Allan, was a Sergeant Major of the British Army's Durham Light Infantry; his mother, Esther, came from Italy. When he was young, Johnson performed in various shows with the Scouts, and appeared in a play which aired on television, and joined a local church choir.
Brian used to have a wife named Carol, but he divorced her during the writing of the Razor's Edge album. He is now married to Brenda.
His home features a lightning bolt in the back patio area inspired by the lightning bolt in the AC/DC logo, as well as a guitar-shaped pool.
AC/DC
At the AC/DC audition, Johnson sang the songs; "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "Nutbush City Limits" (Ike & Tina Turner). A few days later, the band told Johnson he would be the new vocalist of AC/DC.
From 1980, Johnson had co-written all of AC/DC's songs with Angus Young and Malcolm Young until personal matters diverted him during the writing of The Razors Edge album in 1990. Since then, the Young brothers have written much of AC/DC's material. In 2008, they released their new album (the eleventh with Johnson), Black Ice.
Brian Johnson customarily wears a cap on stage and frequently off. Originally, he wore a flat cap, once regarded as a symbol of his native Tyneside, but has occasionally worn baseball caps as well. His brother suggested that the singer wear the cap onstage to prevent sweat rolling off his thick, curly hair into his eyes while singing. "He said, 'Put it on, at least you'll be able to see what the bloody freak you're doing!' So I put it on and after three songs in the second set, I looked at him, put my thumbs ups — 'This is brilliant!' He never did get that hat back.In 2001 johnson and geordie had a one of reunion.(note acdc were on a break at the time)
Helen of Troy musical
Since April 2003, Brian Johnson, who says "I love musical theatre, especially the classic stuff, like Rodgers and Hammerstein", has been working on a musical version of Helen of Troy with Sarasota Ballet choreographer, Robert de Warren. The musical is a Les Miserables-style musical with rousing anthems, tender ballads and minimal dialogue. He conceived the project with writers Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement and Brendan Healy after seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats.
Malcolm McDowell, who made his recording debut singing one of the songs for the soundtrack in Brian's studio, has agreed to play Zeus. The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan and Bruce Vilanch are also set to participate.
A small public performance, that featured songs written for the musical, was given in New York on June 13, 2005.
Other activities
A car and racing enthusiast, Brian Johnson currently enjoys racing his vintage race cars: a Royale RP-4 and a Pilbeam MP84, which he races in vintage and historic races throughout the United States.
He also made a cameo appearance in the 2005 film Goal! where he appears as a Newcastle United fan in a bar in California watching a Newcastle game.
Discography
With Geordie
With AC/DC
External links
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