AC/DC Gaining Axl Rose Creates ‘Golden Ticket,’ Says Alice Cooper

AC/DC gaining Axl Rose creates “the golden ticket for ticket-holders,” according to rock legend Alice Cooper of the Hollywood Vampires. He was commenting on the news that Axl Rose will be replacing AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson on the next leg of the band’s world tour.

Word of AC/DC gaining Axl Rose, likely broached by Hollywood Vampires’ ex-bassist Duff McKagan, now with Guns N’ Roses, was received by Cooper as an April Fool’s joke initially. Then he followed up with a comment that Rose’s voice is absolutely perfect for AC/DC and shared this view with Rolling Stone.

“I just think that’s such a unique combination. Whoever has tickets to that show has got the golden ticket, because who doesn’t want to see that?”

Rose’s opportunity came when Brian Johnson, after nearly four decades with AC/DC, could no longer tour due to a condition leading to deafness. The rockers put out a statement confirming that the Guns N’ Roses frontman had volunteered to fill the vacated spot. Gaining Axl Rose fits right into the Australian hard rock band’s European stadium tour from early May to mid-June.

According to CBC, AC/DC went public about losing Brian Johnson and gaining Axl Rose. The band explained the new setup for their Rock Or Bust world tour starting in May.

“As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing.”

AC/DC members thanked Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years and wished him the best “with all his hearing issues and future ventures.” Prior to gaining Axl Rose, they’d postponed the Rock or Bust tour in March after Johnson, who joined AC/DC following Bon Scott’s death in 1980, was diagnosed with a condition leading to deafness.

With several shows still pending on the American leg of its tour before a European leg over the summer, AC/DC on gaining Axl Rose, said he’d offered his support to help them fulfill their commitment. Rose will replace Johnson in their European and postponed North American dates, before rejoining Guns N’ Roses in the summer.

With AC/DC gaining Axl Rose, the tour will take place in Lisbon on May 7 and continue to Aarhus, Denmark, on June 12. The 10 postponed U.S. dates will be rescheduled in the process.

According to the BBC, AC/DC counts gaining Axl Rose‘ membership as a definite advantage. They explained how “fortunate” they were with the new setup allowing them to continue on.

“We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years.”

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that on Saturday night, April 16, Guns N’ Roses featured AC/DC guitarist Angus Young at Coachella. With the Aussie band gaining Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose, the exchange will be even by AC/DC’s world tour in May.

AC/DC’s gaining Rose buys both parties a break from their customary routine before he returns for a three-month reunion tour with Guns N’ Roses. The reunion would include Slash and Duff McKagan, two of the group’s other founding members.

Meanwhile, McKagan and Slash have already performed with Guns N’ Roses at Coachella on April 16. AC/DC giving up Angus Young, and Guns N’ Roses gaining him is outside of the Axl Rose shuffle.

Eighteen dates in the summer are scheduled for Cooper’s Hollywood Vampires, which boasts of Johnny Depp, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum as members. Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo who is replacing McKagan on bass for the tour comes as part of the ripple effect from AC/DC’s gaining Axl Rose.

[Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images]