The Axl Rose - AC/DC Rumors Heat Up

Now TMZ is on the case, snapping photos of Axl Rose leaving the AC/DC rehearsal studio in Atlanta recently. The hot rumor is that Axl is taking over the singing duties for AC/DC. I still don't believe that is happening, but who knows. The interesting part of the TMZ article is this sentence:

"There are reports the Guns N' Roses frontman is going to fill in as lead singer for AC/DC, which is rumored to be opening for GNR on its upcoming tour."

I'm sorry, but there is no situation on this planet that AC/DC is an opening act... right?

Axl Rose -- Back in Black Hat ... In Studio with AC/DC!! (PHOTOS) https://t.co/o5T4yElCd8

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 28, 2016

Comments

[Metalboy!]

"...And I'm goin' down... ALL THE WAY!!!" to Atlanta to catch this show! It's happening and I will be there!

[JackT.Ripper]

💩👎🏻

[Acey- Deceased]

You're thinking logically. There is NO WAY AC/DC is an opening act for ANYONE.
They are far & away a much bigger band than the fractional version of Guns N' Roses is.

AC/DC's touring Limited License Corporation has paid "Completion Bond Insurance" to cover the not-unforseen possible inability to finish the tour, but the reality is that there are only 10 or so previously booked shows which they have to complete. I personally think Axl is the WRONG guy to use as a fill-in. They'd have been better off getting Marc Storace from Krokus to finish the tour. AC/DC is literally a bus with the wheels falling off. Without Rudd, Johnson & Malcolm, it's Angus, the bassist & 3 spare tires... Time to retire that vehicle from service.

[Metalboy!]

Au Contraire! It's gonna be KILLER!

[Dj]

An idea like this would be kind of cool as a one off thing. Jam some AC/DC and GNR tunes for like a special occasion type of thing...but to pass off Axl Rose as the temp replacement or final stand in for what may be the last we see from AC/DC is something I personally can't get behind. Don't get me wrong, I love Axl as a singer/frontman/lyricist (I won't mention how I feel about his egotistical side) but AC/DC is something you can't really change up much, and if you do, you can't really expect fans to be pissed about it. Brian is the sound of AC/DC wether you like it or not, I love the Bon Scott era more myself, but the second Back In Black or You Shook Me All Night Long comes on the average Joe will know automatically know it's AC/DC. It just dosent make sense to me. Without any official announcement I'll hold my breath, maybe wait it out and see what Brian says and if he can make a full recovery or not?

[Dj]

You can't really expect the fans not to be pissed, is what I meant to say^^^

[Metalboy!]

The average Joe of whom DJ refers knows who knows AC/DC more than likely knows Gn'R. Axl Rose is a diehard fan of AC/DC. Just take a look at YouTube. Gn'R has been doing AC/DC covers since the beginning. He's the logical choice and he's going to kick a*s Royale. Trust me, the combo is gonna be amazing!

In some ways, I dare say, he just might be better than Brian Johnson!

It will be a one off like DJ says, but it will be a one off of the 10 remaining dates. I could even see Axl joining AC/DC and doing an album with them!

Whatever happens, it's gonna be HUGE!

[Rita]

I would love to see this but AC/DC will not be the opener for anyone. No way in hell. Even without Brian and Malcolm.

A co-headlining tour might be amazing though. I'd be down with that.

Rumours sometimes have a hint of truth. A girl can dream.

I guess time will tell.

[Steverox]

If I'm not mistaken, AC/DC has opened up for the Rolling Stones in the past decade or so. May have even been a few times. Of course, many bands have done so as it's an honor to be asked to open up for the Stones, and they are very generous with staging, lighting, audio etc., and often have the openers join them on a song in their main set.

But as a fan, I find the AC/DC situation sad. I understand they want to/need to finish the tour and if Axl is a huge fan, and it's his dream gig, and Brian Johnson is really unable to continue, then I can see it happening just to finish the tour. Personally, I don't see how he fits in vocally/image wise, but I suppose they're all professionals and will make it work. It will certainly be unique. But after those gigs, call it a day. What more does AC/DC have to prove/give when it's really just Angus left?

[Will]

Yea no way AC/DC is going to open for GNR. Doubtful
Axl could sing for 4+ hours for 2 different bands in 1 night plus make the start time for each set in order for the shows not to end way past curfew.

[spyke (Jimbo)]

METALBOY! for the first time in years, I have to disagree with you 100%. AXEhole is the wrong person for the job. Google some AC/DC songs he massacres..just wrong on all counts. Marc from Krokus or the guy from Rhino Bucket would have been the better choice BUT the fans paying the big bucks wouldn't approve of C list singers. There has to be a better choice that that prick. He doesn't deserve the honor of singing with AC/DC let alone being on the same stage as rock royalty.

[Jeff]

This will be an absolute trainwreck and a insult to the GNR fans waiting to see the GNR "reunion". Axl can barely sing his own songs in key. God knows what is going to happen with AC/DC. No way I would pay money to see this. I'll stick to the youtube videos that will be out the same night of the shows.

[Metalboy!]

I see your point, Spike and I'm in no way rolling with the idea of AC/DC opening for Guns, Will.

And sorry, but those dudes from Krokus or Rhino Bucket don't cut it though I DO have ALL of their albums and like one or two of their songs. I forget if it was Bob or Gary who turned us on to a band called 77 a couple of years back who are total Bon Scott era AC/DC freaks -- Now, that dude sings his a*s off would totally nail it! Unfortunately, I'm afraid they stole one to many a riff from their heroes to be taken seriously.

Axl Rose may be an a*s of the highest order but that doesn't stop him from being passionate about singing for AC/DC, his genuine love of their music and that convictions coming through in his voice.

Jeff, his voice isn't THAT shot! Call me f*ckin' crazy, but I actually hope Axl sticks with AC/DC after 10 dates and winds up cutting an album with them.

[Bob]

Metalboy!, my good sir, 'twas I whom trumpeted the virtues of 77! That singer has a hell of a set of pipes, and could easily nail the ACDC stuff, but no one would know who he is, or care unfortunately. Storace's voice is still in fine form, especially considering his age, but again, no one would care. Axl may have the vocal range to hit the notes in ACDC songs, but the tone of his voice is all wrong for them. Bon Scott and brian Johnson have powerful voices with depth and tone. Axl sounds like a strangled cat.

[fletch]

Jim Florentine: Howard asked Robin today, whether she knew the rumors of Axl Rose joining AC/DC and she said, "No". I call bullshit, just like your like for her.

[Metalboy!]

Nice, Bob... 77 frickin' kicks a*s Royale!

Actually, Axl sounds like a screaming Grandma. But, for me, it works. The proof is in the vids of him performing "Riff Raff" with his last incarnation of Gn'R and "Whole Lotta Rosie" live with the original. I actually think his voice puts a nice refreshing twist on the AC/DC stuff.

However, just to play devil's advocate with myself, here... The body language in these images could be telling. As much as I want this to go down, everybody looks a tad down, lost and unsure...

In the first photo we see Axl by himself almost somber and looking alone. In the 2nd shot we see AC/DC leaving after him, obviously having depart before them so they could discuss the rehearsal. Look at their faces... Those aren't the faces of people who are blown away or excited. Cliff Williams looks lost and almost sad.

The drummer who I gather is the same bald dude from the "Thunderstruck" era and Angus' cousin both look bummed out. You can't see Angus because the paparazzi spy who grabbed these shots couldn't get him as you can make out his feet in the lower left but the rest of him is obscured behind the truck. I'm gonna guess he wasn't smiling either.

Anyway, I hope I'm not reading too much into it and everything's still on track.

[Bob]

Metalboy!, whether you're reading too much into the photos or not, I appreciate reading a description of what the photos look like, so thank you for that.

[Metalboy!]

Thanks, Bob... You may be right about his voice but I would love to hear it in person, the main reason being I really do like how he sounds on "Riff Raff" and "Whole Lotta Rosie" and I'm intrigued to hear him do some of my all time favorites such as "Let There Be Rock", "Problem Child" and "Ballbreaker".

Another thing to realize is probably part of what they might be going through in these rehearsals is to assess what songs he sounds best on, thus formulating the set list accordingly.