AC/DC Eat Steak, Laugh Apparently

AC/DC and Axl Rose have a couple more tour dates left, but they already celebrated the end of their "Rock or Bust" tour in New York City with a bunch of steaks. They had a big party at a steakhouse before their Madison Square Garden gig last night.

That's all well and good, but the reason that I'm posting this story and Blabbermouth Facebook post is because of the photo. Check out Axl Rose's expression. He seems truly happy. It's still just so unreal to me. I guess people can and do change.

Comments

[Rita]

I'd smile like that too if I made that much money this year.

[ColsCPA]

I tell ya' Allison. I was the first (or one of the first) to crap all over AC/DC when I heard Axl took over. A couple weeks ago I took my son to the concert in Columbus and left with new respect for Axl. The vocals, do I dare say, were better than Brian, and brought me back to the days I saw them fronted by Bon. Saw em' twice in the 70's at the Cols Agora. Anyway, I hope they stick together and while I love the work with Brian Johnson I'm more excited what they can crank out with Axl, if that's the direction they go!

[Metalboy!]

Rita, I saw them in Atlanta and I assure you, it isn't just about the money for these guys! It's also about their undying love for Rock & Roll! But that's okay, I still love you anyway. ; )

Cols CPA, we TOTALLY about Axl blowing away Brian Johnson. But I'm sure you meant "Axl took over vocal duties", not "Axl took over" as Axl is quoted in multiple interviews both on TV and in print as regarding Angus as his "boss".

Also, Cols, I saw AC/DC with Bon Scott 3 times -- Once in 1978 off "Powerage" and twice in 1979 off "Highway To Hell" (also, with Brian Johnson 8 times over the years from '80 to '97 and recently, once with Axl). Just curious, did you see them in '78 or only in '79?

[Rita]

It's ok Metalboy!

I'm just pissed that I actually shelled out a small fortune to see GNR in July - the most I've ever spent. 8th row floors were pretty nice though. I just couldn't let a reunited GNR (almost) show pass me by and not witness it with my own eyes. Between GNR and AXL/DC this year, I'm just saying AXL has quite a few (hundred million) reasons for that smile. I get it.

And I love you too :)

[Gary]

That's Axl's " I'm never going to have to deal with touring again" smile.....

[ColsCPA]

Metalboy,

You'll appreciate this story, in response to your question. I'm almost 60 so forgive my if the year is off. In 1975, they played at the Cols Agora, I think it was the Lock up Your Daughters tour, not sure without looking it up. Anyway, the show didn't start on time, and everyone was getting waxed. Bon Scott came out on stage by himself, we all started cheering, and told us that mgmt. wouldn't pay them to play tonight, so tear the f'n place up. Which we did. They came back a year or two later and played.

[Him]

Had me laughing, Rita. It is the music _business_ after all. Those steaks don't pay for themselves. And welcome back to posting!

ColsCPA, cool stories and nice of you to share your opinion about this version of the band. Would have been amazing to see Bon live like you and Metalboy! did.

I wonder, though, if this version of the band could capture the same sort of vibe (the Bon Era, which I prefer if but slightly to the Johnson Era) in the recording studio. That isn't a slam either. My opinions about this version of AC/DC, though respectful (I think), are well known. It's one thing to better capture an era or a sound as a replacement singer; quite another to get the entire band--whoever might be in it at that point--to keep that sort of thing going with new material.

Thing is, AC/DC largely tours on their laurels now anyway. So perhaps it doesn't really matter.

[Dj]

They're all smiles because they're saving rock n roll!!! I'm sure the cash is a good reason to smile too.

[Him]

Dj, with respect, I am not sure they are saving rock by pushing the rewind button on the nostalgia box (and, granted, they aren't the only legacy act to do so or to build their late-stage career on that approach to concerts). But they are having a good run and the fans are responding in kind.

I still think the issue I raised is somewhat relevant re: them making a decision about going forward after the tour. If this was the last hurrah, it would be a splendid one on a lot of counts (even from my somewhat ambivalent perch). That said, I also understand Angus's desire to keep playing. Most people would. So it is a Catch-22, since I certainly don't think Angus wants to start the Angus Young Blues Band when the cache of AC/DC is guaranteed to put butts in seats (at least for the time being) no matter who is up there.

Truth be told, I was quite happy to see that they are now playing "Giving the Dog a Bone." That, I must say, I would never have suspected.

[Gallogs]

That picture is a few months old, when Axl first joined the band.