‘Like driving in fog’: AC/DC singer Brian Johnson describes mid-concert hearing loss in new book

‘It was the absolute worst experience that I’d ever had as a singer, made all the more terrifying by happening in front of tens of thousands of paying fans,’ writes Brian Johnson in new book.

Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young perform in concert with AC/DC. Picture: Gary Miller/Getty Images

In his forthcoming memoir, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has ­detailed for the first time the harrowing circumstances that led to his shock decision in 2016 to leave one of the world’s biggest rock and roll bands mid-tour.

The British vocalist – who turned 75 last week – joined the Australian-born hard rock act in April 1980, aged 32, following the sudden death of Bon Scott. ­Shortly thereafter, the group – led by Scottish-born, Sydney-raised guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young – went to the Bahamas to write and record Back In Black, which became one of the best-selling albums in music history.

The Lives of Brian is a memoir by AC/DC singer Brian Johnson. Picture: Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty

In his book, titled The Lives of Brian and published on Tuesday by Penguin, Johnson describes being halfway through AC/DC’s 88-date Rock or Bust world tour in September 2015 when disaster struck and his hearing gave out mid-concert in Vancouver.

“It was like driving in fog – all reference points suddenly gone,” he writes. “It was the absolute worst experience that I’d ever had as a singer, made all the more terrifying by the fact that it was happening with several more songs to go … in front of tens of thousands of paying fans. But somehow, I made it through, and if anyone ­noticed, they were too kind to say.”

After undergoing surgery to remove crystallised fluid that had become trapped in his ears, Johnson attempted to soldier on, despite the surgery making him deaf in his left ear while retaining 50 per cent of his hearing in his right.

He played more shows, including eight in Australia, but in February 2016 the singer eventually followed urgent medical advice to stop performing immediately lest he suffer permanent deafness.

“For most people, hearing loss is slow and manageable – a normal part of getting older,” he writes.

“Not for me. One minute, I’d been travelling the world with a rock ’n’ roll band, singing to millions at packed-­out stadiums. The next, the world had fallen silent, and it was like I was looking out at my own life from behind soundproofed glass.”

AC/DC performs while filming the music video for its song ‘Shot in the Dark’, from its 2020 album release Power Up. Picture: supplied

For the final 22 shows across Europe and the US in 2016, Johnson’s lead vocal role was filled by Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose.

“I’m told that he did a great job,” Johnson writes. “But I just couldn’t watch … It’s like finding a stranger in your house, sitting in your favourite chair.”

Although much of The Lives of Brian is centred on Johnson’s life prior to joining AC/DC, when he was best-known for singing in a British rock band called Geordie while running a business fitting custom vinyl roofs to cars, the prologue and epilogue detail his diagnosis, treatment and aftermath.

After a medical intervention by US inventor Stephen Ambrose gradually restored Johnson’s hearing, he rejoined the band to record its 17th album, titled Power Up. Released in 2020, it topped the charts in 21 countries including Australia, the US and Britain.

AC/DC has not performed live in more than six years, since its final show with Rose on September 20 2016 in Philadelphia. Its future touring plans are unknown.