I Just Talked to Brian Johnson...
The AC/DC frontman doesn't like sharks. He's not too fond of U2's Edge, either. Now living down the street in Sarasota, he gets up at 7 a.m. every day to jog and do laps in the pool. He has no idea when the next AC/DC album is coming out, but says Angus and Malcolm are in the studio.
Steve Spears and I just interviewed Johnson for a Stuck in the '80s podcast, which will hopefully be online tomorrow. I'll let you know when it comes out. Johnson is absolutely hilarious, as pub-crusty and colorful as a pint of his favorite stout.
In the meantime, he's headlining an all-star charity show in Clearwater next Tuesday, July 3. Here's a little snippet I wrote up for it in today's Weekend section:
Where in the devil is AC/DC? Seriously, Angus Young and his Aussie mates haven't released a new album in years (Stiff Upper Lip, 2000). And, let's be honest, the Back in Blackers aren't getting any younger. What the world needs now is some loud, lewd rock 'n' roll to lift its spirits, and I can't think of a better band of hooligans to deliver. There's been talk of a new AC/DC album for a while, but I'll believe it when I headbang to it.
While we're waiting, we can at least enjoy half of the band. This Tuesday, singer Brian Johnson and bassist Cliff Williams, plus Cheap Trick's Robin Zander and Eddie Money, will put on a benefit show at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The cause is solemn; the John Entwistle Foundation provides free music education and instruments to underprivileged kids. But the show will be wild, as Johnson leads an all-star band cranking out all the AC/DC hits, including a promised finale of Highway to Hell.
Classic Rock Cares, featuring Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Robin Zander and Joe Lynn Turner (of Rainbow), begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. Benefits the John Entwistle Foundation. $39.75-$75. (727) 791-7400.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Cool ya got to talk to Brian. I got my ticket in the mail a couple of weeks ago.
I'm a huge AC/DC fan, got the Angus Devil tattoo, and it is just killing me waiting for some new material.
Posted by: Tim | June 28, 2007 at 11:06 PM
This was a great interview from a great person. Brian Johnson is a down to earth and classy guy. I will be at the classic rock cares show on July 3 and will be in the front row with my meet and greet passes. I will finally get to meet Brian after all these years. I just wanted to commend you guys about this great interview.
Nice Job!
Posted by: Mike | June 29, 2007 at 11:31 AM