ACDC Announce Reunited Lineup with Return of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams
AC/DC have had their share of lineup changes over the years. In 2016, they seem to have been at an almost total loss as Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd all left the band for various reasons. Now, after teasing a comeback in the press for the past few months, they confirmed that they will be active once again with all named previous members returning to the band.
Brian Johnson is the band’s singer. He joined the band in 1980 replacing original singer Bon Scott who died of a drug overdose. AC/DC went on to become one of the few bands to successfully weather a lead singer replacement.
In 2016, Johnson was forced to leave the band when his doctor advised he stop touring due to hearing loss. Although he was still available for recording sessions, the band moved on adding Axl Rose to the lineup.
Rose finished the Rock or Bust tour with AC/DC after Johnson left and was rumored to be continuing on as their singer. There is no word on why this didn’t work out or how Johnson will get around his hearing loss issues for the remainder of his music career.
Drummer Phil Rudd started playing with AC/DC in1975 and played with them until 1983. He picked up with the band again from 1994 and 2015. He was kicked out of the band in 2015 for drug possession and a murder threat as well as rude behavior towards AC/DC’s staff.
There is no word on how these issues became reconciled but Rudd has since been reported as being apologetic for his behavior and has expressed wishes to turn himself around.
Bassist Cliff Williams joined AC/DC in 1977. He played with the band until his retirement in 2016. We assume that AC/DC made an enticing enough offer to make him change his mind.
The new/old AC/DC lineup is rounded out by founding member and band mascot Angus Young as well as his nephew Stevie Young. Stevie joined the band in 2014. He replaced his uncle Malcolm Young (Angus’s brother) who retired from the band due to dementia.
The band has released a picture of the new lineup which was posted on their social media pages. The text on the picture announces the new lineup of the band along with a warning that says “Electric shock, do not open”.
AC/DC also claim that they have recorded a new album but its release has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The band’s close friend, Twisted Sister lead singer Dee Snider, confirmed that the album is completed with the following quote. “What will be achieved, the reuniting of the band that we know for one more album, is gonna be uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Because nothing goes on forever. But this is the ultimate ‘one more time.’”
The new album will be a follow up to “Rock or Bust” which came out in 2014.
