Primary Day! Gotta go vote!
Brian Johnson (Matt Stroshane-Getty Images)
Well, I know what my peers all think. We all think the apparent “dismissal” of Brian Johnson, and the rather insensitive press release from AC/DC wishing him “all the best with his future endeavors” (doesn’t it sound like an email you’d get at work when someone was fired?) pretty much sucks. BTW: Here’s their actual comment on the situation: “AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment.”
But this morning, the same publicist that reps AC/DC sent this on Brian’s behalf:
“As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer. I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.
On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage. I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC. I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life.
Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.
I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work. I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.
Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC. My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.
Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. 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 concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.
Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.
Love,
Brian”
Sigh. I am glad he shared this with us. Now I think the picture is a little clearer.
Whoa. Check this out! Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers did the national anthem on his bass before Kobe Bryant’s final game in LA last week. I guess he got some flack trying to invoke the spirit of Jimi Hendrix. Oh well.
Meanwhile, the Chili Peppers performed last week for a cancer charity event at the home of Napster founder Sean Parker in Holmby Hills (suburb of LA.) And next week, the band will perform at the Red Hot Benefit Comedy + Music Show Quinceanera in Los Angeles on the 29th. The event, held at the Shrine Auditorium, is a benefit led by drummer Chad Smith and comedian Will Ferrell. It has been rumored that the band will also make an announcement about their new album that day, which will be their 11th studio effort. Nigel Godrich produced. Don’t be surprised if we see/hear new music from the band within the next month!
Metallica perform at Rasputin Records in Berkely, CA Sat Apr 16.
Hey, Metallica posted this on their Facebook page. It’s their performance on Record Store Day at Rasputin Records in Berkeley, CA (Saturday, Apr 16.) Don’t ya love it? Heard they also had an after party at the old mansion they used to live in San Francisco. On hand were many friends and fam in the camp from the early days. Cool beans! Set list: “Helpless” (Diamond Head cover), “Hit The Lights,” “The Four Horsemen,” “Ride The Lightning,” “Fade To Black,” “Jump In The Fire,” “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” “Creeping Death” and “Metal Militia.”
Metallica offered up Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: Metallica: Live from the Bataclan: June 11, 2003 for Record Store Day, and on the 15th, reissued remastered and deluxe box set versions of Kill ‘Em All and Ride The Lightning. Check them all out!
Mark Tremonti (Artisan News)
Blabbermouth.net reporting Alter Bridge recently started recording and putting together work for a follow-up to their 2013 album Fortress. The as-yet-untitled work would be their fifth, and will be produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette.
In an interview with myglobalmind, Mark Tremonti, Alter Bridge’s guitarist, talked about the album’s status: “Today “I’m tracking my ninth out of fourteenth guitar track; the drums and bass are done. We are hoping to have it out the later part of September, because we have another European tour scheduled for early November and we want people to be familiar with it before we go over there.”
He continued: “For the first time in our careers, we are free agents. We are signing a new record deal and just trying to get the business stuff aside so we can focus on this music as we have the U.S. tour scheduled in July. We will be going out with Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed.”
What should fans expect from the new album? Tremonti told TeamRock Radio: “It could go in any direction. I’ve got a ton of ideas in all different styles. Last time, it was just one heavy idea after another and hopefully this time we can branch out and bring something new to the table.”
Newsy bits:
Deftones :”Gore” cd cover
Congrats to Deftones! Their Gore cd exploded in at # 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Album charts! Highest scoring album of their career! Nice to see!
And finally, congrats to Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides (or aka the solo artist Andy Black) who wedded his soulmate and girlfriend of 5 years on Apr 16th in LA, Juliet Simms. Ms Simms, you may recall, was a singer/songwriter first seen on The Voice in 2012. I can hear the sobs of millions of female fans around the world right now! 🙁
Hey, speaking of Metallica, Happy 52nd Birthday to producer Bob Rock! Met him in the early 80’s as a member of The Payolas from Vancouver! Ah, the good ole days! LOL