Brian Johnson talks about retirement

[Don]

'I Don't Want To Look A Prat If I Try To Push It Too Far'

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... mID=124134

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson admitted in a new interview with Classic Rock magazine that he has been considering retirement. "We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, 'We're finishing in May and that's me done!'" he says. "But Malcolm [Young, rhythm guitarist] said, 'What are you talkin' about? We're not gonna let you retire!' And now they're talking about next year. I'm going, 'What do you mean next year? We're finishing in May in Japan, I'll be tired!' And they said: 'Well, we've been offered some festivals…'"

The 61-year-old Johnson, who is scheduled to publish his autobiography "Rockers And Rollers" in October, insists that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says, "It's a tough one. It's not me — it's just my age," he reveals. "I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it's not just me — Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I'm the old dog in the regiment.

"It's a purely selfish thing. I don't want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don't want for people to see me on stage and say, 'Oh, poor old fucker, the band's carrying him!'"

Despite this, Johnson says he's feeling as good as he's ever done, and enjoying every moment on stage.

"We've been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring," he says. "They're just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the fuck! You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"

[steveo777]

'I Don't Want To Look A Prat If I Try To Push It Too Far'

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbe ... mID=124134

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson admitted in a new interview with Classic Rock magazine that he has been considering retirement. "We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, 'We're finishing in May and that's me done!'" he says. "But Malcolm [Young, rhythm guitarist] said, 'What are you talkin' about? We're not gonna let you retire!' And now they're talking about next year. I'm going, 'What do you mean next year? We're finishing in May in Japan, I'll be tired!' And they said: 'Well, we've been offered some festivals…'"

The 61-year-old Johnson, who is scheduled to publish his autobiography "Rockers And Rollers" in October, insists that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says, "It's a tough one. It's not me — it's just my age," he reveals. "I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it's not just me — Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I'm the old dog in the regiment.

"It's a purely selfish thing. I don't want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don't want for people to see me on stage and say, 'Oh, poor old fucker, the band's carrying him!'"

Despite this, Johnson says he's feeling as good as he's ever done, and enjoying every moment on stage.

"We've been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring," he says. "They're just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the fuck! You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.
* let the hornets fly

[MrsPerry]

That will be a very good read....the Brian Johnson bio. not going to touch the perry comment.

[RaisedOnRadio92]

I feel like AC/DC is carrying Brian Johnson right now. His vocals are pretty hard to listen to now....

[fightingilliniJRNY]

I feel like AC/DC is carrying Brian Johnson right now. His vocals are pretty hard to listen to now....

I would think so, after gargling razor blades and then singing 90 minutes every other night for the last 10 months - and the tour continues through at least March 2010. And he's 60 years old! I don't know how they do a world tour for basically 18 straight months.

Seriously though, his book is going to be a heck of a read.

[Pacfanweb]

Reminds me of an interview with Roger Daltrey, I think it was for that VH1 Rock Honors show, where he made a comment to the effect of "I love doing this and as long as I can still sing reasonably well, I can see us still performing for many years".

Amazing how a person's perception of how well they're singing changes over the years. Daltrey's voice has lost way more than Brian Johnson, and he still thinks he can sing "reasonably well".

[Ehwmatt]

Reminds me of an interview with Roger Daltrey, I think it was for that VH1 Rock Honors show, where he made a comment to the effect of "I love doing this and as long as I can still sing reasonably well, I can see us still performing for many years".

Amazing how a person's perception of how well they're singing changes over the years. Daltrey's voice has lost way more than Brian Johnson, and he still thinks he can sing "reasonably well".

Daltrey is completely unlistenable. So terrible. I can't believe they've released some of the live stuff they have released the last couple years without doctoring it up... or maybe they did and that was the best they could get... scary if so

[Saint John]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

[portland]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Hey SJ good to see that you still have such warm fuzzy feelings for SP......

[Saint John]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Hey SJ good to see that you still have such warm fuzzy feelings for SP......

lol...nothing more than my opinion but it's shaped by actual facts and events. No one in the band was an angel (out of "the big 3"...Schon, Perry and Cain), but this guy was a complete prick and he knows it. Which is why, to this day, he can't face any of the old band members.

[Michigan Girl]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

This Space For Rent
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[steveo777]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Ok, minor error. I should have used the term "top of his voice". Sorry, kthxbye.
We don't want to start talking about personal ethics and past behaviors of band members.

[Monker]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Ok, minor error. I should have used the term "top of his voice". Sorry, kthxbye.
We don't want to start talking about personal ethics and past behaviors of band members.

And, the 'top of his voice' was probably 1981, at the latest.

[Saint John]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Ok, minor error. I should have used the term "top of his voice". Sorry, kthxbye.
We don't want to start talking about personal ethics and past behaviors of band members.

And, the 'top of his voice' was probably 1981, at the latest.

I can agree with this. But, personally, I like his 1981-1983 voice best and even a lot of his ROR voice, but that's probably the first time you could hear some very infrequent missed notes and cracking in his voice. Honestly, till then I didn't think the fucking guy was human. What he did up until 1983 and even for the vast majority of ROR is pretty much unparalleled as far as touring goes.

[portland]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Ok, minor error. I should have used the term "top of his voice". Sorry, kthxbye.
We don't want to start talking about personal ethics and past behaviors of band members.

And, the 'top of his voice' was probably 1981, at the latest.

I can agree with this. But, personally, I like his 1981-1983 voice best and even a lot of his ROR voice, but that's probably the first time you could hear some very infrequent missed notes and cracking in his voice. Honestly, till then I didn't think the fucking guy was human. What he did up until 1983 and even for the vast majority of ROR is pretty much unparalleled as far as touring goes.

Dan did you just say someting nice about SP?? Well I knew you had it in you!

[Pacfanweb]

I wonder if any singer has ever had so much scrutiny of his voice at different points in his career as Perry?

I also have to wonder about these folks who claim that "no way he could sing some of the old songs now".

Why couldn't he? There isn't a singer around at that age who can sing everything exactly the way they did 25-30 years ago, and many of them are still touring, playing their old songs that are tuned down a bit, and sounding just fine.

Heck, the majority of fans don't even notice the difference.

Perry could do the same thing. Might he have more "off nights" with his voice? Sure. It happens. But it wouldn't matter. If he sang Stone in Love tuned down a couple of notches, he'd still sound like Steve Perry singing Stone in Love. Nobody would care. It's not like he's going to sound like Robert Plant has since the late-80's, with no high register whatsoever. (find a clip of him doing Stairway with Zep in 1988 for the pitiful proof)

And even so, people wouldn't care about that if Zep toured. They still go see AC/DC, they still go see The Who, they still go see Rush, they still go see Van Halen with Roth.

They'd pack the places to see Journey with Perry, too.

[Saint John]

I wonder if any singer has ever had so much scrutiny of his voice at different points in his career as Perry?

I also have to wonder about these folks who claim that "no way he could sing some of the old songs now".

Why couldn't he? There isn't a singer around at that age who can sing everything exactly the way they did 25-30 years ago, and many of them are still touring, playing their old songs that are tuned down a bit, and sounding just fine.

Heck, the majority of fans don't even notice the difference.

Perry could do the same thing. Might he have more "off nights" with his voice? Sure. It happens. But it wouldn't matter. If he sang Stone in Love tuned down a couple of notches, he'd still sound like Steve Perry singing Stone in Love. Nobody would care. It's not like he's going to sound like Robert Plant has since the late-80's, with no high register whatsoever. (find a clip of him doing Stairway with Zep in 1988 for the pitiful proof)

And even so, people wouldn't care about that if Zep toured. They still go see AC/DC, they still go see The Who, they still go see Rush, they still go see Van Halen with Roth.

They'd pack the places to see Journey with Perry, too.

I agree with virtually all of this.

[portland]

I wonder if any singer has ever had so much scrutiny of his voice at different points in his career as Perry?

I also have to wonder about these folks who claim that "no way he could sing some of the old songs now".

Why couldn't he? There isn't a singer around at that age who can sing everything exactly the way they did 25-30 years ago, and many of them are still touring, playing their old songs that are tuned down a bit, and sounding just fine.

Heck, the majority of fans don't even notice the difference.

Perry could do the same thing. Might he have more "off nights" with his voice? Sure. It happens. But it wouldn't matter. If he sang Stone in Love tuned down a couple of notches, he'd still sound like Steve Perry singing Stone in Love. Nobody would care. It's not like he's going to sound like Robert Plant has since the late-80's, with no high register whatsoever. (find a clip of him doing Stairway with Zep in 1988 for the pitiful proof)

And even so, people wouldn't care about that if Zep toured. They still go see AC/DC, they still go see The Who, they still go see Rush, they still go see Van Halen with Roth.

They'd pack the places to see Journey with Perry, too.

Yes the place would be packed and most people would not care if they were tuned down....I know I would be there.

[Peartree12249]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Hey SJ good to see that you still have such warm fuzzy feelings for SP......

lol...nothing more than my opinion but it's shaped by actual facts and events. No one in the band was an angel (out of "the big 3"...Schon, Perry and Cain), but this guy was a complete prick and he knows it. Which is why, to this day, he can't face any of the old band members.

If I recall. he did face the old band members at the HWOF ceremony.

[portland]

He has a point there and he cites the exact reason Perry should NOT return to Journey, even if he wanted to. Better to be remembered on top of the game.

Remembered at the top of his game? The fans that have functioning brain cells remember Perry for 2 things: 1) the greatest voice that ever lived, and 2) the guy that shelved the band, toured alone, broke up the Chalfant/Rolie incarnation and came back with no intention of touring. He's remembered as the band's greatest voice and also the guy that was easily the band's biggest ego, emotionally unstable, and a constant liar. He did not leave "on top of the game" by any means.

Hey SJ good to see that you still have such warm fuzzy feelings for SP......

lol...nothing more than my opinion but it's shaped by actual facts and events. No one in the band was an angel (out of "the big 3"...Schon, Perry and Cain), but this guy was a complete prick and he knows it. Which is why, to this day, he can't face any of the old band members.

If I recall. he did face the old band members at the HWOF ceremony.

I was going to say that....but then I figured that someone else would....Thanx!

[Saint John]

If I recall. he did face the old band members at the HWOF ceremony.

He was there because he deserved to be. But I think the only reason he wrestled over the idea for so long was because he couldn't face them. Realizing it was a public ceremony and he could just smile and wave, give his speech and get out of there without answering any difficult questions, he ultimately decided to go. Look at Behind The Music. All other bands have sat in the same room together and discussed what went wrong, whether they hated each other or not. But not Journey! Perry demanded total control, would not be on camera with any band members or Herbie there to refute anything he said, and basically turned it into "Behind The Beak...Why Steve Perry Is A Misunderstood Asshole That Never Felt Like Part Of The Band And Once Re-entered The Earth's Atmosphere Without Heat Tiles."

[Carla777]

'The 61-year-old Johnson, who is scheduled to publish his autobiography "Rockers And Rollers" in October, insists that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says, "It's a tough one. It's not me — it's just my age," he reveals. "I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it's not just me — Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I'm the old dog in the regiment.

"It's a purely selfish thing. I don't want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don't want for people to see me on stage and say, 'Oh, poor old fucker, the band's carrying him!'"

Despite this, Johnson says he's feeling as good as he's ever done, and enjoying every moment on stage.

"We've been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring," he says. "They're just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the fuck! You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"

Ronnie James Dio have already 67 year old and he keep rockin', age shoudn't be a problem, as long he keep his spirit young, altough if he feel he need to rest from touring, well is okay for me, but after AC/DC came here at the end of the year first!

[Pacfanweb]

If I recall. he did face the old band members at the HWOF ceremony.

He was there because he deserved to be. But I think the only reason he wrestled over the idea for so long was because he couldn't face them. Realizing it was a public ceremony and he could just smile and wave, give his speech and get out of there without answering any difficult questions, he ultimately decided to go. Look at Behind The Music. All other bands have sat in the same room[b] together and discussed what went wrong, whether they hated each other or not. [/b]But not Journey! Perry demanded total control, would not be on camera with any band members or Herbie there to refute anything he said, and basically turned it into "Behind The Beak...Why Steve Perry Is A Misunderstood Asshole That Never Felt Like Part Of The Band And Once Re-entered The Earth's Atmosphere Without Heat Tiles."

Now that's just not true. You have heard of Guns N Roses, right? They damn sure didn't do BTM in the same room together. Neither did Genesis, Anthrax, and honestly, most of the bands on the show.

I'd agree about most of your view of Perry, but Journey is more the norm in not being on BTM together, rather than the exception.

I will say this about Perry: I know that some of these musical, artsy-types are pretty high-strung and/or flaky. But come on, dude...it's just music. It's a band. It's not world hunger, it's not national security, it's not THAT serious. There's no reason to be THAT butt-hurt over what happened.

Get over it, at least be on speaking terms with guys who you shared that much time and history with. You have your version, they have theirs. Let it go. You are wasting an enormous God-given talent.

[Jubilee]

Now that's just not true. You have heard of Guns N Roses, right? They damn sure didn't do BTM in the same room together. Neither did Genesis, Anthrax, and honestly, most of the bands on the show.

I'd agree about most of your view of Perry, but Journey is more the norm in not being on BTM together, rather than the exception.

I will say this about Perry: I know that some of these musical, artsy-types are pretty high-strung and/or flaky. But come on, dude...it's just music. It's a band. It's not world hunger, it's not national security, it's not THAT serious. There's no reason to be THAT butt-hurt over what happened.

Get over it, at least be on speaking terms with guys who you shared that much time and history with. You have your version, they have theirs. Let it go. You are wasting an enormous God-given talent.

Seems to me that unless they were working (writing, recording, touring) there was never a whole lot of communication between Perry and the rest of the band anyway. My understanding from what I've read is while they were on "hiatus" Perry was incommunicado. Now that they're "divorced", I suppose Perry really doesn't have anything to talk to them about. Par for the course if you ask me.

[Jana]

Now that's just not true. You have heard of Guns N Roses, right? They damn sure didn't do BTM in the same room together. Neither did Genesis, Anthrax, and honestly, most of the bands on the show.

I'd agree about most of your view of Perry, but Journey is more the norm in not being on BTM together, rather than the exception.

I will say this about Perry: I know that some of these musical, artsy-types are pretty high-strung and/or flaky. But come on, dude...it's just music. It's a band. It's not world hunger, it's not national security, it's not THAT serious. There's no reason to be THAT butt-hurt over what happened.

Get over it, at least be on speaking terms with guys who you shared that much time and history with. You have your version, they have theirs. Let it go. You are wasting an enormous God-given talent.

Seems to me that unless they were working (writing, recording, touring) there was never a whole lot of communication between Perry and the rest of the band anyway. My understanding from what I've read is while they were on "hiatus" Perry was incommunicado. Now that they're "divorced", I suppose Perry really doesn't have anything to talk to them about. Par for the course if you ask me.

Absolutely. Why would they be on speaking terms? Perry never really had any contact with them after ROR until the reunion, except the time he contacted Herbie first, not them, regarding them doing some songs for the Memorial. I mean, it would be nice if there were friendly, but they were not buddies or even close anymore since '87, except for that brief time when recording TBF..

[RaisedOnRadio92]

I've always wondered why Steve Perry wanted to reunite with Journey in 1995. He didn't like them, they didn't get along. He just finished the FTLOSM tour, so the money couldn't have been gone.....

I think Steve was TRYING to save what remained of their friendship, but never had any intention of touring.

[Jana]

I've always wondered why Steve Perry wanted to reunite with Journey in 1995. He didn't like them, they didn't get along. He just finished the FTLOSM tour, so the money couldn't have been gone.....

I think Steve was TRYING to save what remained of their friendship, but never had any intention of touring.

What's been stated on here by some and intimated in an interview was that Sony was pushing him for the reunion.

[Don]

I've always wondered why Steve Perry wanted to reunite with Journey in 1995. He didn't like them, they didn't get along. He just finished the FTLOSM tour, so the money couldn't have been gone.....

I think Steve was TRYING to save what remained of their friendship, but never had any intention of touring.

What's been stated on here by some and intimated in an interview was that Sony was pushing him for the reunion.

Most bands get paid up front for X amount of albums. The whole group needed to fulfill the contract, hence the reason Journey was going to use the Band's name on their effort with Chalfant and Rolie to complete their own obligation to Sony.

[RaisedOnRadio92]

I've always wondered why Steve Perry wanted to reunite with Journey in 1995. He didn't like them, they didn't get along. He just finished the FTLOSM tour, so the money couldn't have been gone.....

I think Steve was TRYING to save what remained of their friendship, but never had any intention of touring.

What's been stated on here by some and intimated in an interview was that Sony was pushing him for the reunion.

I could believe that. I bet Steve was ticked that he didn't release FTLOSM with Sony, he wouldn't have had to do the TBF album.

[Don]

Brian on Top Gear, yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFUqeREQ ... r_embedded