No Sugarcoating & No Bullshit: May

Hello again, Uber Rockers. I’m back after a brief hiatus with a dose of blogging nonsense for you to while away some time, and read something light-hearted if you’re sick of reading the depressing news headlines or tabloid bullshit (the latter of which is usually what a weekend newspaper is made up of).

 

Anyway, I’ve had a lot of spare time on my hands, so plenty of time to think of something decent to write.

 

One of my favourite bands lost their singer in the past month, and not to the “curse of 2016” either. Playing for one of the world’s loudest bands, Brian Johnson of AC/DC had to quit due to his hearing problems.

 

I saw AC/DC at Download in 2010, and it was a dream come true to finally see them play. Brian is a fantastic frontman, and an awesome singer – who did Bon Scott justice.

 

Personally, replacing him for whatever reason, to me, should spell the end of the band (which could happen after this tour, who knows?). I wouldn’t want fans who booked tickets for the tour to be disappointed, but replacing Brian with Axl Rose? I love Guns N’ Roses (circa ‘Appetite for Destruction’), and he can certainly belt out his vocals, but it seems to me that AC/DC have gone for style over substance (or fame over substance would perhaps be more apt).

 

Apparently Lee Robinson (the singer of Thunderstruck), was a contender to replace Brian Johnson, but Axl got the gig instead. Maybe Axl could belt out vocals better than Lee Robinson, but looking at footage on YouTube, Lee looks and sounds the part. Why not give the guy a chance – rather than risk Axl Rose injecting some of his personality into the set (which to me would not be AC/DC).

 

You could easily argue that when Bon Scott died, AC/DC could or should have split them, going by my logic, and I can see that point. However, Bon Scott and Brian Johnson are AC/DC, both of their voices suited the band, but both were unique. Axl Rose isn’t very popular for various reasons, but if he wasn’t famous, but had auditioned for AC/DC, would he have got the gig? I very much doubt it.

 

Roger Daltrey hit the nail on the head by calling the current AC/DC tour karaoke. Plus outraged AC/DC fans now want a refund after it was announced that Axl Rose would be singing, you would have thought that the fans being outraged would be enough to go with someone else (contracts permitting I guess!)

 

All I know is that I will never want to see AC/DC live again – I wouldn’t want to ruin my memory of seeing them when they weren’t sell outs with a shit frontman.

 

End of rant!

 

One thing that made me seething (for all of five minutes), was an announcement on Motörhead’s Facebook page: “Changes and big things coming soon – stay tuned.” I automatically thought that meant Motörhead had the audacity to replace Lemmy (which would be ridiculous as Lemmy was Motörhead). I imagined Axl Rose also joining Motorhead, but thankfully all it was is their website being revamped (phew!) I did have a nightmare a few nights ago, which was so vivid, I thought it had happened (probably the strong medication I’ve had invading my dreams). However, thankfully it was just the latter.

 

I’m sure there are many more examples of bands who have replaced singers where it hasn’t worked, some where it has, but I think that the fans are the best judge. I can also liken it to when bands tour just for the money, there is no chemistry. The Pixies at Brixton Academy are one such example for me – one huge waste of money and travelling to London for me. Sometimes it’s just best to break up and leave memories of the band at their best (in my humble opinion anyway).

 

Until next time…
Jo