It’s currently been four years since AC/DC released their last album, Rock Or Bust, but if Def Leppard’s guitarist has anything to say about it, that should be the last album that the group record together.
Back in 2016, longtime vocalist Brian Johnson was forced to quit the group due to ongoing effects of hearing loss, leaving the position of frontman wide open for none other than noted fan Axl Rose to take up vocal duties.
While Axl’s shows with the group have been well-received, folks have been waiting to see whether or not we’ll be getting a new album from the group. However, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen is not one of those people, with the famed rocker stating that he reckons the band should refrain from making new music.
As Blabbermouth reports, Collen recently spoke with Forrest of US radio station 96.9 The Eagle, during which he answered the question of whether he thinks AC/DC’s sole remaining founder member should record a new album with Axl Rose.
“No. I’m a huge AC/DC fan, and if the whole band’s left or gone… Malcolm dead, obviously. Brian Johnson got kicked out. Cliff Williams retired and Phil Rudd got arrested. You’ve got one person [left], so it’s not really AC/DC. Maybe call it ‘A, With Axl Rose’,” Collen said.
“It kind of loses its appeal. It becomes karaoke; it becomes something else, and it’s lost its integrity, really.”
“I wouldn’t do that, personally, if I was Angus,” he continued. “I thought Axl Rose [did] a great job, by the way. I thought he [did] amazing when he stood in for Brian Johnson. I thought he was amazing, actually. Full power to him — he’s done really, really good stuff.”
“But I think as a band, if he was gonna do an album, it may sound good, but it’s not really the band anymore.”
Last year, original AC/DC singer, Dave Evans, shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that recording a new album with Axl Rose would “make it legitimate.” Then, just two months ago, it was confirmed by AC/DC biographer Murray Engleheart that the group are indeed intending to continue their legacy by jumping back into the studio once more.
While it remains to be seen whether or not the group will indeed make a new album with their new vocalist, it’s clear that it will be a very divisive issue. On the other hand, look at what happened the last time they got a new guy on vocals. Who knows, this could end up being the best move the group ever make.
Check out AC/DC’s most recent single, ‘Rock The Blues Away’:
