AC/DC drummer Chris Slade has spoken out on the sudden departure of singer Brian Johnson during their 2016 Rock or Bust World Tour, saying that the frontman’s sudden exit – and his eventual replacement in the form of Axl Rose – were equally surprising.
At the time, Johnson had revealed that he had been ordered by doctors to “stop touring immediately” after suffering from medically diagnosed hearing loss over fears he might suffer permanent damage.
Upon the announcement, Johnson said he was “personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine” and called the news “the darkest day of my professional life”.
“AC/DC’s lead singer, Brian Johnson, has been advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss,” AC/DC’s statement at the time read.
Reflecting on the singer’s shock exit, AC/DC drummer Chris Slade recently told Sonic Perspectives that he, too, had been “shocked” by Johnson’s sudden exit.
“I think Brian was doing the best he possibly could do,” Slade said.
“I could hear him so well because I was using in-ear monitors. He didn’t sound anything like he thought he sounded. But of course, he felt really bad that he couldn’t do what he considered his best. I was shocked when he was no longer around.”
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Slade added that he “was even more shocked when they said they were trying out Axl Rose. I was like, ‘What?’ because I heard all the stories.”
He continued, “Turns out he was the nicest guy, and when he started singing, I didn’t realise that he had that voice. He was phenomenal and could cover all the eras! He was never late for anything, as AC/DC goes by the second, not the minute, when they start a show.”
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Slade has said he’s “ready to go” if AC/DC call him about joining forces for future live performances.
Slade initially joined AC/DC in 1989 but was replaced by Phil Rudd in 1994. He later returned when Rudd was kicked out of the band in 2016.
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