What Does Axl Rose Singing For AC/DC Mean For The Rock Or Bust Tour?

An official announcement has finally been made. Axl Rose will be singing for AC/DC on their remaining Rock Or Bust tour dates. These include a handful of US shows and a number of European shows. The rumors were out there for a while, and they were all but officially confirmed by a Young family member, so this really comes as no surprise. It’s just nice to have actual confirmation because now different speculations can begin.

Axl Rose singing for AC/DC is certainly an interesting proposition with so many dramatic themes that can play out over the course of the tour. Axl is known for being notoriously late to arrive on stage. He also has a reputation for being a demanding “prima donna” who has to have everything go just his way. He’s been known to flat out cancel shows at the last minute with no explanation at all. In general, he’s a big risk for any band to take on.

At the other end of this equation is AC/DC. Brian Johnson is now officially out of the band due to his hearing loss. He has made a statement that he needs time to heal and wants to carry on, at least in a studio capacity. He has made no mention of whether that means recording a new album with AC/DC, but rumors and speculation say that he is out of the band for good. In any event, AC/DC is moving on without Brian Johnson. And that’s a shame. It’s hard to imagine AC/DC without him at the helm.

And yet, Axl Rose singing for AC/DC opens a world of possibilities. At the Coachella festival Guns N Roses brought Angus Young onstage and performed two AC/DC classics. The first was “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and the second was “Riff Raff.” The latter is a song that has only been performed less than a handful of times since 1979. Meaning Brian Johnson has only sung it on the rarest of occasions.

It’s no secret that Axl Rose’s voice is more attuned to the Bon Scott style of vocals, and hearing him sing “Riff Raff” should leave die hard AC/DC fans salivating. This could mean a major change in the upcoming setlists for AC/DC. “Riff Raff” could be just the beginning. Having Axl on lead vocals could mean that a plethora of Bon Scott era songs get dusted off and performed for the first time in years! That thought alone has me thinking that I might need to take in one of the Axl shows.

Of course they are still going to play the Brian Johnson signatures. “Shook Me All Night Long,” “Hell’s Bells,” “For Those About To Rock” will all be performed in their usual rotation spot. And I am certain that the new songs will also be performed. But after that, well, it’s a whole new opportunity. There’s a reason that Angus and Guns N Roses performed “Riff Raff.” It was intended to make a statement. Message received.

If Axl Rose fronting AC/DC opens the door for multiple Bon Scott era lost classics to be performed live for the first time in nearly 35 years, I am all for it! Yes, I understand that it is not the same without Brian Johnson. Yes, I would love to see him fronting the band for years to come. However, I would also like to see some deep rare cuts performed and “Riff Raff” is a great start. “High Voltage,” “Rock And Roll Damnation,” and “Problem Child” would also be welcomed additions. Not to mention it would be amazing to see Axl’s take on “Let There Be Rock.” I have a feeling that he could really belt out that tune.

When I first heard the rumor that this could happen, my initial reaction was “Meh.” I was also wondering how AC/DC would react the first time Axl showed up late (or not at all). But seeing on time starts for Guns N Roses in Las Vegas and at Coachella, as well as hearing “Whole Lotta Rosie” live has me rethinking my reaction. I’ve gone from “Meh,” to “Hmmm….this could be really interesting.” And that could be the start of a journey that finds me at Madison Square Garden witnessing AC/DC history.

There is still a lot of time between here and there. But the first steps taken have been good ones. As of now, Axl Rose joining AC/DC appears to mean only positive things for the future of the Rock Or Bust tour. Let’s hope that it remains that way for the foreseeable future.

How Much Would You Pay For A Guns N Roses Reunion?

In recent conversations with Metal Eddie and Rob Rockitt I’ve discussed the potential possibilities of Guns N Roses reuniting. Everyone has heard the rumors that Slash and Axl are speaking again, which has all fans hopeful that the band will finally come back together after so many years apart. And so after debating the possibilities of a reunion and conceding that it may just happen if all the music stars aligned just right, the next question was obvious: what would you pay to see the original lineup in concert?

I believe Metal Eddie stated that he would go as high as $500. Led Zeppelin reunion prices basically. I was a little less giving with my money. I may not have stated a price during that conversation, but I don’t believe that I would pay more than $85. And I would still be worried that Axl wouldn’t take the stage until two in the morning.

The idea of Guns N Roses reuniting the original lineup and going out on a world tour is an exciting one. The last concert the original lineup played together was in 1991. The last time Slash played with the band was 1993. Yes, it has been a long time since this band performed together. So the first question that would enter into my mind is “does the band still have the magic?” Why would they want to get back together after all this time? If it is for the cash and fame, then we’d all be better off if they stayed home. That’s why, unless they put out a new album, I don’t think a Guns N Roses reunion tour would be all that spectacular.

We also need to consider who is in this reunion lineup? Is Steven Adler on the drums? Is Izzy Stradlin back in the mix? Does the band include Dizzy Reed? If this is an original lineup reunion, then the classic Appetite For Destruction era Guns N Roses has to be on that stage---and only them. That would leave Dizzy out in the cold, and would mean that Adler would have to be behind the drum kit. These are also the same guys that should record a new Guns N Roses album as well. I think I would be far more excited about a new record from the Appetite For Destruction lineup than I would be about seeing them in concert.

And would the band still have it? I’m sure they are all still very talented, especially now that they are all clean and sober. I know that they have all been keeping their skills sharp working on other projects over the last 20 years, and all the music that I have heard from the members has been terrific. Which is why the idea of a new album is more exciting to me than a reunion tour. It would require more commitment and allow the band an opportunity to really hone their craft and their chemistry. It would also produce a product that the group would (hopefully) be proud to bring on the road and perform alongside such classics as “It’s So Easy,” “Patience,” and “You Could Be Mine.”

So, if the original Guns N Roses reunited, what would you pay for a ticket to see them in concert? I believe that my threshold would be $125 and that would have to be a really good seat. And as I already mentioned, I would want to make sure that the shows were starting on, or close, to time. The wild card that is Axl Rose would make me very hesitant about purchasing a concert ticket, especially if the show was on a work night. However, with the potential demand for tickets to a concert like this, I may not have to worry --- I would probably get shut out of tickets anyway and have to wait for the DVD.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - LOST Finale Edition

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of the ABC show, LOST. I’ve been a watcher since day one and was a fanatic by the fourth episode. I have come back for every episode since. I own the first five seasons on DVD and when this final season comes out, I will own that too.

Sunday night (May 23rd), ABC will air the final episode of the show. For six years I have followed every action these characters have made. I’ve spent endless hours discussing, debating, analyzing, theorizing, and trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. Some of the plots I nailed, but most of them I was off on (way off in some cases). Whether I was right or wrong didn’t matter. What mattered was the fact that I spent so much time theorizing and analyzing a television show. It was pure enjoyment, and it maximized the entertainment value.

I’m going to watch the final episode with mixed feelings. I know that I will watch it again (I’ve seen ever episode of this show at least three times, most of them more than that), but you can only see it for the first time once. This season hasn’t been the best for LOST. That could be due to the fact that it’s the end, but it could also be the direction the show is moving in. However, every finale has been mind-blowing fantastic entertainment, and I expect that this one will be no different. ABC will also be airing a 2-hour special prior to the season finale, giving me 4.5 hours of LOST. Add in a Jimmy Kimmel LOST special following the season finale and you get 5.5 hours of LOST finale. Monday is going to be a wee bit rough for your cousin Ryo.

And while I was contemplating how this show is going to end, here’s what rocked this week:

Dave Matthews Band Not Touring For 2011
After touring consecutively for 20 years in a row (is that a record?), DMB will take a much needed break from the road in 2011. This summer’s tour will be the last time we see the band live until 2012. Personally, I think it’s great that they’re taking a break, as long as it’s just that… a break. No permanent hiatus, please. This summer’s tour dates are included in the link.

Axl Rose Battling Irving Azoff
A lot of talk, talk, talk. I don’t know who to believe here. Axl is notorious for misremembering the truth and Irving Azoff is a greedy corporate pig. Just shut up and tour the US already. Or go back in the studio and record Chinese Democracy II so we can have it by Christmas…2021.

Bret Michael’s Reality Star…?
Allyson over at Bring Back Glam! wants to know why Bret Michaels needs to do a reality show. I think it’s because he craves relevance. His band, Poison, is not putting out any new material, and as much as the fans love him, his solo material is not going to sell like gangbusters. Bret needs to feel important and worshipped – VH1 TV gives him that. The same way Family Jewels gives it to Gene Simmons and The Osbournes gave it to Ozzy.

Rest In Peace – Ronnie James Dio
We close on a sad note. As I am sure most of you know, Ronnie James Dio passed away from stomach cancer last weekend. His music, his message, and his metal will be missed.

For more metal horns, updated news, concert reviews, and partying like an 80s glam child, you should follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie