New AC/DC With Axl Rose Album Not Expected Until 2018 Live DVD Of Rock Or Bust Tour Expected This Year

It was a tough year for the band with major setbacks. Malcolm Young’s dementia forcing him to retire. Phil Rudd’s legal troubles keeping him from touring and of course Brian Johnson’s hearing issues that caused him to stop touring. Then Cliff Williams announced this was his final run with the band.

Angus Young had the tough decision to call it quits himself or figure out a way to keep the band’s legacy going. And he choose one of Rock N Roll’s greatest lead singer ever Axl Rose.

They were able to finish off the tour with sell out shows and bonded so well that Angus wants to go forward with a new album and another tour with Rose.

Axl was nothing but a class act on the tour.

But noise11 reports With Gun N’ Roses dates running through until September it is expected that the next AC/DC album with Axl Rose won’t be ready until 2018.

With the success of the Guns N Roses Reunion we might see Axl continuing his double duties and dropping a new GnR album as well.

Guns N Roses brought out Angus Young for a few dates this month while playing in Australia. The 2 classic Ac/Dc hits ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ and ‘Riff Raff’ were played at all shows Angus performed at.

Axl Rose became the fourth lead singer of AC/DC after the sudden removal of Brian Johnson from the band after 36 years. Johnson replaced the late Bon Scott in 1980 who replaced the fired Dave Evans in 1974.

All of the AC/DC shows were filmed from the Rock Or Bust tour so we should expect a Live DVD later this year

Despite the departure of Johnson and the retirement (at age 66) of bass player Cliff Williams after 40 years with the band, Angus has vowed that AC/DC will continue.

Williams has retired to Fort Myers, Florida. Johnson lives in Sarasota, Florida, just over a one-hour drive away.

Former drummer Phil Rudd, who was banished from the band after his recent legal problems, initially said that he would not play in AC/DC with Axl Rose but has now changed his tune, recently saying that the decision would be up to Angus.

Watch the Noise11 interview with Phil Rudd

As of the end of the Rock Or Bust Tour AC/DC line-up is Angus Young (guitar), Stevie Young (guitar), Chris Slade (drums) and Axl Rose (vocals). A replacement for Cliff Williams on bass would still need to be recruited.

But Phil Rudd has expressed interest to return to the band now that his legal trouble is over.

It has been reported that Brian Johnson has been working with a hearing aid company that may be able to get him back out on the road. But there has been no mention if he will continue with a Solo Project or start a new band. Johnson lost his hearing due to race car driving, not performing.

Former AC/DC members are:

Malcolm Young (guitar 1973-2014)
Bon Scott (vocals 1974-1980)
Phil Rudd (drums 1975-1983, 1994-2015)
Cliff Williams (bass 1977-2016))
Brian Johnson (vocals 1980-2016))
Simon Wright (drums 1983-1989)
Mark Evans (bass 1975-1977)
Dave Evans (vocals, 1973-1974)

Geoff Tate gave an interesting interview discussing Classic Rock Bands going forward without original members which can be seen here