Legendary rock band had one rule for Axl Rose when he filled in on tour dates

As a gamer with a deep-rooted love for classic rock, I can confidently say that Axl Rose is a living legend who brought a unique energy to Guns N’ Roses. When he stepped in for AC/DC in 2016, it was a thrilling experience for fans like myself. While Slash and the rest of the band were undeniably talented, Axl’s larger-than-life persona and vocal prowess truly made GNR what it is today.


Axl Rose is a legendary figure in music, particularly known for his powerful scream-singing that echoed through some of the most memorable heavy metal anthems from the 1980s and early 1990s. His band, Guns N’ Roses, released iconic albums like “Appetite for Destruction” and the “Use Your Illusion” series, which are still widely recognized today. Although Slash and the rest of the group were exceptional, Axl Rose’s flamboyant stage presence and distinctive vocals truly define Guns N’ Roses.

2016 saw me stepping into the shoes of AC/DC’s frontman Brian Johnson for 22 shows, owing to some health-related issues on his part. Yet, I never aimed to mimic Johnson, despite our similarities in vocal style. After all, the success I achieved gave me the privilege to be true to myself.

In addition, Axl being the one in AC/DC made their music authentic rather than him copying Johnson or Scott. Interestingly, Angus Young was given center stage while Rose showed respect for the rest of the band, not trying to hog the spotlight himself. It’s only fitting since AC/DC is essentially Angus’ band, and Rose was merely a supporting act.

AC/DC had one rule for Axl Rose when he helped the band out in 2016

During the tour period, as reported by Chris Slade, AC/DC’s touring drummer, the band and their management had a single rule for Brian Johnson: Avoid misconduct. Johnson was expected to assist, and if he couldn’t manage that, the band could find another temporary singer instead.

In an interview on the Road to Rock podcast, Slade shared that for AC/DC, Axl Rose was given rigorous training, implying that if he made mistakes, he risked being dismissed from the band. However, it’s important to note that Slade emphasized that there were no concerns about Axl’s behavior and he conducted himself with grace throughout.

Slade further commented, “He did an outstanding work, really impressive. He’s not like Johnson, nor did he aim to be Brian, and neither did he strive to imitate Bon. Instead, he holds Bon Scott in high regard.”

According to many fans who attended their shows, Rose and AC/DC delivered stellar performances. Both parties deserve recognition for this success – AC/DC, with half a century of experience in managing their band effectively and seamlessly, and Rose, who understood his role and embraced it. Despite his legendary self-importance, Rose humbly stepped aside to support the iconic hard rock legends.

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2024-08-08 16:30