1980. Only seven years after its inception, AC / DC suffered what would be, so far, its most lamentable low: the death of Bon Scott, lead singer of the Australian group to date of his death. Today, 36 years later, the band seems to run with the same fate. After strong complications on your health, Brian Johnson can not continue to provide live shows with the group, which will be replaced by the lead singer of Guns N 'Roses, Axl Rose.
After Scott's death, Johnson, who came from the British band Geordie, the fact of following in the music scene was torn. However, he accepted the challenge to record with AC / DC which would be one of the most important albums of hard rock of the 80s': Black in Black, album dedicated to Bon Scott, who reached the peak on the list of the best sellers in the United States for a continuous period of six months. Undoubtedly, the arrival of Johnson gave him the band three decades of assured success.
Devastating is the adjective with which thousands of fans have described the statement released by Johnson days ago, where the singer announced his departure from AC / DC, emphasizing that it is not a formal removal or resignation, but a temporal distance while the situation on their health is defined. As the darkest of his career, the British defined that day when doctors urged him not to continue with live concerts. However, he notes feel optimistic and confident that over time the situation will improve.
The emotional letter, below:
"Like many fans of AC / DC know, the remaining shows 2016 AC / DC Rock or Burst World Tour, including ten postponed US dates will be rescheduled with a guest singer. I want to personally explain why because I do not think the previous press releases have been sufficiently clear about what I wanted to tell our followers, or how I think this should be counted.
On March 7, after a series of tests by a team of experts in the field of hearing loss, I was warned that if he continued singing in great places, risked total deafness. While I was horrified by the reality of the news that day, I Educated at the time of my partial hearing loss was starting to interfere with my performance on stage.
I could hardly hear the guitars on stage and, as I could not hear well to other musicians, I feared that the quality of my performance was compromised. Honestly this was something I could not let my right mind. Our fans deserve that my performance is the best, and if for some reason can not meet that standard will not disappoint our fans or embarrass other members of AC / DC. I am not a person to resign, and I like to finish what I start; however, doctors let us clear to me and my bandmates that I had little to stop singing on stage for the remaining shows of the tour and perhaps even more. That was the darkest day of my professional life.
Since that day, I had several consultations with my doctors and it seems that in the near future, I will not be able to sing on stages the size of arenas and stadiums, where sound levels exceed my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial loss hearing and a possible total deafness. Until then, I tried and I gave my best to continue despite the pain and loss of hearing, but everything became too much to bear, and too risky.
I am personally devastated by how things turned out , more than anyone could imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I've ever felt before in my life. Being part of AC / DC, recording albums and playing to millions of fans devoted the last 36 years was the work of my life. I can not imagine moving forward without being part of it, but for now I have no choice. What I do know is that I will always be with AC / DC in each show in spirit, if I can not in person.
The most important thing is that I feel very bad about having to disappoint fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows, and who supported me unconditionally me and AC / DC these years. I can not express in words my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not only by recent falls nice words and good wishes towards me, but also for the years of loyalty to AC / DC. My thanks also to Angus and Cliff for their support.
Finally, I want to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors told me that I can continue recording studios and is what I plan to do. At the moment, my absolute focus is on continuing medical treatment to improve my hearing. I hope it improves in time and let me sing again live concerts. While the results are uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Time will tell.
Again, my sincere good wishes and thanks to all for your support and understanding.
With love,
Brian. "
