The perfect toy ... for those about to rock
Yes, it's AC/DC action figures of Brian Johnson and Angus Young. And how did I find out about it? Ummm, Brian Johnson told me. Seriously. Times pop critic Sean Daly and I spent a half hour on the phone with AC/DC's lead singer Thursday afternoon and, simply put, we were in rock n' roll heaven.
Inducted into Rock and Roll's Hall of Fame in 2003, Johnson is the first hall-of-famer to appear on Stuck in the 80s, so this week's show is devoted to our interview with him. It's been five years since AC/DC's last tour, but Brian is about to go out on the road again to promote Classic Rock Cares, a series of benefit concerts to support the John Entwhisle Foundation.
Johnson, AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams, Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Eddie Money and a cast of other talented hard-rockers will play Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 3. Fans can expect a bunch of AC/DC hits, along with some new songs newly penned by the artists.
Click here to hear this week's show. Or click here to get the podcast series for free on iTunes.
Brian was a quote-machine. Here are some of the printable highlights:
On the long layoff from touring: "I'll get up and sing with a band, maybe do a song. That's nothing compared to belting it out, full-tilt boogie. With AC/DC,
[shows lasted] two hours, 25 minutes and it was a killer because we
didn't have drum solos. ... When I look back on it now, how the hell
did I do that?"
On the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame experience: "We really enjoyed it, apart from The Edge of U2 making a complete 'todd' of himself. ... He was
inducting The Clash,
who we all love. .... We're standing there, and he talked for 25
minutes. At the end, we're coming up behind him going 'Hey, bugger
off!' ... It's just impossible to talk to [U2]: They just can't hear
you -- their heads are right up among the intestinal parts of their
bodies."
On writing songs for the Back in Black album: "I was desperately trying to write the words as fast as I could. For Hell's Bells, I was sitting in a room on the beach and this big thunderstorm came, and I thought 'I'm rolling thunder, pouring rain.' And then the wind picked up and I just went 'I'm coming on like a hurricane.' And that was the end of it. It was dead easy after that.
Amazing stuff. The best interview we've done in two years of podcasting. Let us know what you thought of the show. And if you're at next week's Classic Rock Cares show, say hello to Sean and me. We'll be the ones trying to sneak backstage to hang with the band.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
Loved your interview! I never called myself an AC/DC 'fan' but after I listened to your interview, I dug up some old CDs and played a lot of their great stuff again. Excellent questions, fun interview to listen to!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2007 at 03:26 AM
He was talking to Sean and Steve like they were good buddies that he'd known for years. What a nice guy. It's nice when you see a story or interview about a guy that's been in entertainment since the days of Moses and he's still a cool dude.
Posted by: Walter Cox | June 29, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Brian Johnson is so cool. He seems like the kind of guy you could just hang out with all night telling stories. You guys did a great job, but Brian made it easy for you. Loved every minute of it.
Posted by: bassnote | June 29, 2007 at 02:30 PM
What a great interview!! Even if you weren't an AC/DC fan you would have to be a Brian Johnson fan. I wish more stars were that way. Keep up the great work guys
Posted by: Doogster34 | July 01, 2007 at 05:40 PM
I love how Sean Daly introduced himself as the "Rock Critic".
Sean, I don't think Brian said a single cuss word besides "bloody hell". It was funny hearing you switch into Rock-N-Roll mode.
I thought for a second you might wet your pants.
Brian's comments about The Edge were hilarious!
Keep it coming guys!
Posted by: Buffalo Jeff | July 01, 2007 at 10:51 PM
I think it's safe to say that the world could use more people like Brian Johnson. The digs at U2 were hysterical (I especially liked the story about Bono and his hand-clapping), as was the reference to what guys want to do when they're out on the town. He was on the money!
Posted by: David P | July 02, 2007 at 02:37 PM
I'm in total agreement with everyone.. what a fun interview!! He seems like a great guy!! I also, listened to AC/DC all day! Thanks guys!
Posted by: | July 03, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Hey boys, I'm one of the biggest AC/DC fans on the planet, and just want to say "Go BON!" forever! But Brian took the weight of the world on his shoulders, and PULLED IT OFF, and still going 27 years later! These boys are the best! I read everything I see etc. This was a cool interview, I've seen a few on Much etc, and it is great to see that your heroes are down to earth and not all drugged up freaks, not naming any names, (they have enough problems already, right.) Tea toddlers and beer drinkers....that's the best. You're right, you probably won't top this interview......but thanks again...for bringing one of my heroes down to earth.
Posted by: Brent Keeting | September 19, 2007 at 12:12 AM
AC/DC are very amazing and you can't get enough of them. AC/DC music is like a chocolate cake, if you start to eat- you can't stop.
Posted by: Mischief Maker | July 12, 2008 at 11:40 AM
I just like Rock'n'Roll and AC/DC.
They are great- and hopefully they gonna do a concert very soon.
Posted by: Guest | July 12, 2008 at 11:44 AM