For those of you who find it difficult to sleep tonight like us here's the full list of songs performed during the soundcheck in Lisbon (and our "biased" first impression on Axl's versions).
GOT SOME ROCK'N'ROLL THUNDER (acceptable)
ROCK'N'ROLL DAMNATION (It would be great to hear it again. Last time was at Hammersmith in 2003!)
BACK IN BLACK (Thumbs down, we don't like the way Axl sang it)
THUNDERSTRUCK (acceptable despite a few mistakes)
HELL AIN'T A BAD PLACE TO BE (acceptable)
HIGH VOLTAGE (we don't like it at all! We hope they drop it from the setlist)
HELL'S BELLS (tolerable)
DOG EAT DOG (acceptable)
Here's some audio extracts from the soundcheck. Good night from Lisbon. Tomorrow it's the big day...
AC/DC's new lineup (and it's not photoshop) from Blitz.sapo.pt
It has been a painful month for many AC/DC fans. First the cancellation of the final shows of the US tour, the shocking news of Brian's health issues and AC/DC's willingness to get a "guest singer". Then, the announcement of Axl Rose as vocalist, a surprising decision which is still difficult to accept for many, especially for some hard core fans.
Brian has been the respected vocalist of AC/DC for 36 years, since Back in Black, one of AC/DC's masterpieces and most successful albums. Many think he hasn't been treated fairly by the band who replaced him in a matter of weeks after a couple of unfriendly press releases on acdc.com.
After reading Brian's "official" announcement (and unofficial comments by his friend Jim Breuer) it has become a possibility that the relationship with Angus and the other decision makers in AC/DC got damaged irreversibly, in some way.
Today, after Angus and Cliff just released a short interview explaining Brian clarifying the situation.
Probably we will never know the whole truth. But these are some of the elements of this equation that we know for sure. Brian's hearing
Brian had a serious hearing problem on his left hear. We had noticed this since Coachella when we met him for the first time last year. He confirmed it to us in Paris and Zurich, last year. Many fans complained that Brian was very reserved and often avoided meeting fans during this tour (unlike in the past). We always said that for us Brian was a hero during the Rock or Bust Tour considering this health issue which was making his performing on stage more challenging for him. Brian wanted to stop
Well, we were almost sure the tour would end in Australia. At least we were told so and it sounded reasonable, considering Malcolm was not there and Brian was not in ideal shape. Plus there was the "Phil Rudd" situation...
Brian had been mentioning the "40 concerts ONLY for the next tour" well before the announcement of Rock or Bust. During the Black Ice Tour he had complained a lot about the stress and the fatigue of being on stage every two night for 2 hours, doing things a 30-year old singer does. We never took him too seriously because we know he loves to complain about work, just like Italians do.
We didn't pay too much attention when he told us in Zurich that that "the boys can continue with someone else, if they want to continue. I am quitting after this tour". How could AC/DC continue without Brian? We just laughed.
Angus didn't want to stop
This was also clear during the tour. Angus has been unbelievably energetic on stage and off stage. Without Malcolm next to him he had to fill in for him and for his charisma, and we are sure this has been pretty challenging and stressful. He confirmed to us several times, including during our cigarette with him in Zurich that he would keep playing but the future of the tour was up to Brian and his voice... After this tour, well that's probably the end of AC/DC. Axl Rose's Voice
From the latest G'N'R concerts in America and the audio recordings of the studio rehearsals of AC/DC in Lisbon it appears that Axl's voice could fit perfectly in AC/DC's music. Vocally and musically, it has been said that it can reach the same tone/high pitch that Brian used to have in the 1980's. Never underestimate Angus as a musician!
According to BBC, Axl supposedly volunteered for the position as soon as he knew that Brian could not continue. From our sources he was eager and honored to play for one of his heroes, Angus Young and always behaved very professionally with AC/DC.
Maybe the voice will fit in but his persona, culture and style... not really. Worst case scenario we will just close our eyes and listen. What Brian once told us about Axl Rose...
In Brian's statement Axl's name is not mentioned, and we think it was not by chance. Brian is a real gentleman and classy person, always kind and available to fans. Humble but always professional, on stage and off stage. Those who have met him know how much he can make you feel important and leave you with memories that would last forever.
Not exactly the same can be said about Axl Rose. In Stockholm in 2009 we spent 2 hours drinking with Brian and Cliff. After all the usual stories about rock'n'roll, sports cars, food and girls, the name of Axl came out during one of Brian's stories. Brian was telling us about Steven Tyler, a friend of his (and of AC/DC's) who had relapsed in that period (2007-2009) plus he had fallen off stage during a show. After speaking in very good terms about Steven, Brian told us about an incident backstage with AXL when they got into a fight (apparently physical) saying that he had an aggressive and dislikable attitude, completely different from a nice guy like Steven or Slash, another friend of his. Despite the drinks we clearly recall this "fight incident" story and now, after 6 years we suspect that seeing Axl in AC/DC would not even be the most pleasant thing to remember for Brian.
With Brian in Stockholm
We will miss Brian
No doubt here. But nothing we can do, as fans. We grew up with Brian and for us Brian was AC/DC, as much as Angus and Malcolm. Irreplaceable. But for those who have been closer to the band, especially in the last tours the idea that Brian could be replaced one day was not an impossibility or a contradiction in terms. We will miss Brian.
1 day to the Lisbon show
Angus must know what he is doing and we are still willing to support him as we trust him, despite the fact that there are many things we didn't like in this whole story. It's a big leap of faith. One more day and we'll see...
New AC/DC Official Photo published yesterday
UPDATE FROM LISBON
The band inspected the stage yesterday as you can see in our exclusive video below. Axl can walk but most probably he will sit on a chair (apparently not the Dave Grohl's throne).
Two days ago the band rehearsed in a Lisbon studio for several hours. According to our sources, beside the usual setlist (minus Playball and Baptism By Fire) they rehearsed also these songs, among others:
If You Want Blood What's Next to the Moon Gimme a Bullet Touch Too Much (!!!)
Almost 4 days have passed since this surreal announcement: Axl Rose will be touring with AC/DC for the remaining 22 shows of the Rock or Bust tour.
For us, as fans, it was like a punch in the stomach, a real powerful punch. And it took us 4 days to start "breathing" well again, calm down and reflect on this situation rationally. We didn't want our judgment to be clouded by the anger and hate that we have felt deep inside so we had to wait.
Honestly, we never believed the Axl-AC/DC rumors in the last 5 weeks. Not even after the TMZ picture appeared online. It was too much. It was against the history and the values of AC/DC. It was against common sense. It was just impossible. But we were proven wrong. Life can be unpredictable. Or maybe we were too naive.
TMZ photos
For many fans like us Angus' choice is just too difficult to understand. Axl represents a different music culture, different style, different work ethics, different career. Beside that, there are too many infamous "psycho acts", on stage and offstage in Mr. Rose's CV which prevent us from agreeing with this choice.
Most hard core AC/DC fans are prejudiced against Axl Rose. And we have the right to be for what he has done in the past. Axl Rose is the guy who destroyed Guns'n'Roses, picked up fights with fans and photographers, arrived late for shows, cancelled concerts with no reasons, published only one album in 20 year of "activity". How could he deserve to become the lead singer of the greatest rock band in the world??
AC/DC fans have all the rights to be prejudiced against Axl and question Angus' choice, including his decision to join Guns'n'Roses on stage in Coachella just after the official announcement to play Riff Raff and Rosie. Many hard core fans already sold their tickets. Some of them are so upset and disappointed they consider AC/DC as officially "dead". AC/DC Italia, which has been online for 13 years, officially stopped its activity on the same day the announcement was made.We don't blame them and we respect their choice.
"What would Malcolm and Bon think of Axl?" - Question asked by all fans
What about us in AC/DC Abruzzo? Our history as AC/DC fans does not go back to the 70's or to the early '80s like many hard core fans. However, who followed us in the last 8 years on this blog know that our relationship with AC/DC has been pretty intense. During the Black Ice tour we lived the "rock'n'roll" AC/DC lifestyle following the band almost everywhere. We saw over 100 shows combined, traveled the world, spent time with hard core fans, with the band, with their families etc. We managed this tour blog and published two photobooks .
Despite our prejudices against Axl and against Sony/Angus' decision, it is basically impossible for us to deny our love and loyalty for AC/DC now, especially in this difficult time. It would not be fair, for what AC/DC has represented for us and for how it changed and enriched our lives. We must give Angus the benefit of the doubt.
And at the moment Angus is AC/DC. And we will support Angus in this decision, although we don't understand it and we don't agree with it... We will do it because of his 40+ year history of successes that AC/DC has had, including when they had to overcome major challenges. Besides, from the way we know Angus, and we must trust him, even beyond rationality. It would not be fair and honest to him.
It will be a leap of faith. And we are willing to take it.
Of course, it is clear that we all miss important pieces of information in this story. About Sony's role, the dollars involved, about the fines to pay in case of cancellation, about what Malcolm really told Angus when discussing the future of the band before being hospitalized, about Axl Rose himself (who maybe want to use this opportunity to redeem himself as a rocker). About "Brian's situation" (who has proven to be a real gentleman with fans and Angus/Cliff with his official statement, and about whom we will make a separate post).
We are sure the legal agreement between Axl and AC/DC must be made up of hundreds of pages, as the risks involved in such a partnership are huge. Even if Axl behaves professionally, he will likely receive insults from angry AC/DC fans onstage and offstage. The way he will respond to such hostile behaviour and the way he will behave will also determine whether Angus was right or wrong.
This is a bet. A risky bet for Angus and AC/DC, and like all bets you can win or lose. Everybody knows Angus is taking a big chance. If he fails, AC/DC's reputation and legacy will be affected irreversibly. If he succeeds then it was another challenge faced successfully for him and for AC/DC. If he makes Axl Rose accepted by AC/DC fans, then "the almighty Angus" would make the impossible possible.
How? Maybe... Taming Axl Rose's personality and getting the best of his voice, changing setlists every night with lots of old gems (Money Talks, If You Want Blood, Riff Raff etc), giving 110% on stage every single concert...
What else? We don't know. We are not Angus Young, we are just fans....
But we will stand next to Angus in Lisbon. Time will tell the rest.
While most of the fans are still in shock for AC/DC's decision to hire Axl Rose for the rest of the tour (including our friends of AC/DC Italia who decide to stop their website as a form of protest against this controversial decision) and for Angus' appearance at Coachella Festival on stage with Guns'n'Roses, Brian Johnson has just issued an official statement (Source: Ultimate Classic Rock website).
Here's the full text:
As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer. I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.
On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage. I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC. I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life.
Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.
I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work. I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.
Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the canceled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC. My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.
Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.
Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.
Love, Brian
ITALIANO
Come molti fan degli AC / DC sanno già, i concerti rimanenti
del 2016 del tour Rock or Bust, compresi i 10 concerti statunitensi rinviati, verranno
riprogrammati con la presenza di un cantante ospite. Voglio personalmente
spiegare le motivazioni di tutto ciò, perché non credo che i comunicati stampa
precedenti chiariscano bene quello che avevo intenzione di dire ai nostri fan o
cosa pensavo di come è stata presentata questa notizia.
Il 7 marzo, dopo una serie di esami medici eseguiti da importanti luminari esperti
in perdita dell’udito, mi è stato detto che se continuo a cantare in grandi
spazi, rischio la sordità totale. Sebbene inorridito da tale notizia quel
giorno, avevo già capito che la mia sordità parziale cominciava a interferire
con la mia performance sul palco. Avevo difficoltà a sentire le chitarre e siccome
non ero in grado di ascoltare gli altri strumenti in modo chiaro, temevo che la
qualità della mia performance potesse essere compromessa. In tutta onestà, questo
non potevo permetterlo. I nostri fan meritano performance al più alto livello,
e se per qualsiasi motivo non riesco a fornire quel livello di eccellenza non
voglio assolutamente deludere i fan o mettere in imbarazzo gli altri membri
degli AC / DC. Io non sono uno che molla e mi piace finire quello che ho
iniziato, tuttavia, i medici hanno fatto capire chiaramente a me e ai miei
compagni che l’unica scelta possibile era di smettere di esibirmi dal vivo per
i rimanenti concerti e forse anche oltre. Quello è stato il giorno più buio della
mia vita professionale.
Da quel giorno, ho avuto una serie di consultazioni con i miei medici e sembra
che, per il prossimo futuro, non potrò cantare in stadi e in luoghi dove i
livelli sonori sono oltre la mia soglia di tolleranza attuale, senza il rischio
di perdita dell’udito e possibile sordità totale. Fino a quel momento, avevo
fatto del mio meglio per continuare, nonostante il dolore e la perdita di udito,
ma tutto è diventato troppo difficile da sopportare e troppo rischioso.
Mi sento distrutto a causa di questa situazione, più di quanto si possa
immaginare. Quello che provo ora è peggio di qualsiasi altra cosa spiacevole io
abbia mai provato in vita mia. Fare parte degli AC / DC, incidere dischi e esibirsi
per milioni di fan devoti negli ultimi 36 anni è stato il lavoro della mia
vita. Non riesco a immaginare di andare avanti senza essere parte di tutto ciò,
ma per ora non ho scelta. L'unica cosa certa è che io sarò sempre con gli AC /
DC ad ogni show nello spirito, se non posso esserlo di persona.
Inoltre sto davvero male per aver dato questa delusione ai fan che hanno
acquistato i biglietti per gli show annullati e che mi hanno fermamente
sostenuto tutti questi anni. Non ci sono parole per esprimere la mia gratitudine,
dal profondo del mio cuore, non solo per le gentili parole e gli auguri
rivoltimi direttamente, ma anche per tutti gli anni di fedeltà agli AC / DC. I
miei ringraziamenti vanno anche a Angus e Cliff per il loro sostegno.
Infine, voglio assicurare ai fan che non mi ritirerò ora. I miei medici mi
hanno detto che posso continuare a registrare in studio e ho intenzione di
farlo. Per il momento, il mio obiettivo è quello di continuare il trattamento
medico per migliorare il mio udito e spero che nel tempo migliorerà e mi
permetterà di tornare a esibirmi dal vivo. Anche se l’esito è incerto rimango
ottimista. Sarà il tempo a parlare.
Ancora una volta, i miei più affettuosi saluti e grazie a tutti per il sostegno
e la comprensione.
This unbelievable rumour has been just confirmed on the bands official website acdc.com. Axl Rose will front AC/DC in Europe and the remaining US shows. This is the end of AC/DC as we knew it and maybe a new beginning for the band/Angus Young.
For most hardcore AC/DC fans like us this particular choice is difficult to understand as Axl doesn't have much in common with AC/DC, with its history, with what the band has stood for throughout the years, its music style, rock'n'roll values etc. It could be interpreted only as a commercial move, with some (calculated) risks implied. Or maybe there is something we are missing here.
Here's the rumoured concert dates for the AC/DC 2016 North American Tour!
Shows will probably be confirmed in the next few hours.
02/02 – Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA
05/02 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
08/02 – Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
11/02 – Fargo Dome, Fargo, ND
14/02 – Xcel Energy Center, Paul, MN
17/02 – United Center, Chicago, IL
20/02 – Scottrade Center, St Louis, MO
23/02 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
26/02 – Toyota Center, Houston, TX
29/02 – Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
08/03 – Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
11/03 – BB&T Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
14/03 – Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
17/03 – Verizon Center, Washington, DC
20/03 – The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
23/03 – Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
26/03 – Quincken Loans Center, Cleveland, OH
29/03 – First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY
01/04 – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
04/04 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
We are finally back!! Sorry to our readers for the black out!!
Matteo Abruzzo has been out of the game for a while due to the consequences of a pretty bad neck injury after the Canadian tour (but now things are going well). Stefano was stopped in London dealing with some Gordon Ramsey wine issues and Orangus was too busy traveling from a city to another in North America (he is not able to update a blog anyway!). Hence, the absence of posts for more than a month. We will publish his travel diary while waiting for Australia!
And speaking of Orangus:
CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM FOR HIS 100th AC/DC CONCERT! And Los Angeles 28 September 2015 was his 42nd consecutive AC/DC gigs!
Orangus - Now a member of the Elite club of +100 AC/DC show fans! (c) photo Gayte85.net
1. Rock or Bust
2. Shoot to Thrill
3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
4. Back in Black
5. Play Ball
6. Dirty Deeds
7. Thunderstruck
8. High Voltage
9. Rock 'n' Roll Train
10. Hells Bells
11. Baptism By Fire
12. Shook Me
13. Sin City
14. Have a Drink on Me
15. Shot Down in Flames
16. TNT
17. Rosie
18. Let There Be rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock
Montreal Stade Olympique was probably one of the worst venues of the entire tour. An indoor stadium with terrible acoustics. (Some of our Canadian friends actually said it was much better than in the past... )Again, the show was all reserved seating, another contradiction in terms for a rock'n'roll show, especially when you think that there are 60-70 year old rockers on stage jumping like crazy on stage while the crowd is standing religiously in their spot with security nagging at you constantly. The crowd was pretty loud though.
The performance was again excellent. Angus (back in his blue suit) was maybe a bit tired in the first half. Brian was very professional and accurate. Apparently, he had some technical problems (as usual).
We are getting late for the Ottawa show so for the moment enjoy our exclusive AC/DC photos. Life on the road in North America has been quite challenging :)
Canada - Abruzzo - Switzerland
Thoughtful Orangus (90 AC/DC shows under his belt)
The only blog on AC/DC that aims to promote the original and genuine spirit of the Italian region of Abruzzo. A spirit that is always strong and gentle, ironic and pungent, witty and facetious but always incorruptible and loyal to our ancestors' values which we express through our passion for the AC/DC music especially in the occasion of the long awaited BLACK ICE World Tour.
L'unico blog sugli AC/DC che si propone di promuovere lo spirito Abruzzese verace e genuino, forte e gentile, ironico e pungente, goliardico e faceto, ma sempre integerrimo e fedele ai propri valori, attraverso la passione per la musica degli AC/DC in special modo in occasione del tanto atteso tour mondiale di BLACK ICE. LA STORIA DI AC/DC ABRUZZO
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AC/DC ABRUZZO has enforced a strict "IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING" policy since its creation trusting in the immense power of Rock'n'Roll (which is NOT noise pollution and which will never die). All our accomplishments are the result of this policy combined with hard work, planning and improvisation. Expressions such as "I can't", "it's impossible", "I don't have a ticket", "I don't have the money" and similar limiting beliefs are not in our dictionary. We just don't like making excuses. We urge all our users to embrace and spread our rock'n'roll philosophy.
AC/DC ABRUZZO MOBILE LIFESTYLE
"Livin' on the streets you gotta practice what you preach" B.S.
The members of the AC/DC ABRUZZO Steering Committee are ambassadors of "The Mobile Lifestyle". Thanks to the AC/DC Black Ice World Tour we have learned how to master time and mobility to create a rewarding Rockstar lifestyle, living anywhere we want and doing what we love more! LET THERE BE ROCK with AC/DC!
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