Confirmed: Axl Rose to tour as AC/DC singer

AC/DC have officially confirmed that Guns N’ Roses co-founder Axl Rose will be their singer for a number of postponed Rock Or Bust World Tour shows.

A few hours after the announcement, Rose brought on Angus Young for two AC/DC songs during the Gunners’ set at the Coachella festival in California. Scroll down to watch below.

As teenagers growing up in America, Guns N’ Roses members grew up idolising AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels and whose Australian rock sound they incorporated in their own band.

Speculation about the new alliance had been rising since Rose was spotted emerging from a recording studio in Atlanta where AC/DC were rehearsing.

A number of singers had offered to step in after 68-year-old Brian Johnson’s hearing issues saw him abruptly quit the band after 38 years.

They included original singer Dave Evans, Krokus’ Marc Storace (who’d been approached after Bon Scott’s death) Hives’ Howlin’ Pelle and, most recently, Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander.

In a statement posted on their official ACDC.com website, the band said: “AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures.

“As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian’s decision to stop touring and save his hearing.

“We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfil this commitment.

“AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals.”

On Saturday night, hours after the posting, Rose was onstage before the massive Coachella crowd. He apologised

that he couldn’t run around onstage as usual. A leg injury sustained during one of Guns N’ Roses warm up club dates forced him to sit down through the set on a throne donated by Dave Grohl.

“I do feel bad about sitting here on my ass,” he said but offered to bring out a special guest to liven things up.

Young, in his schoolboy uniform, whipped around, did his duck walk and headbanged through AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie and Riff Raff. Rose more than proved he could handle the vocals immortalised by Bon Scott and Brian Johnson.

The European stadium shows begin next month, beginning on May 7 at Passeio Maritimo De Alges In Lisbon, Portugal.

The other dates are in Seville, Spain (May 10), Marseilles, France (13), Werchter, Belgium (16), Vienna, Austria (19), Prague, Czech Republic (22), Hamburg, Germany (26), Berne, Switzerland (29), Leipzig, Germany (June 1), London, England (4), Manchester, England (9) and winds up in Aarhus, Denmark on June 12.

Immediately after, Rose will join Guns N’ Roses for Not In This Lifetime summer stadium tour.

After that, he returns to AC/DC duties when they return to America to finish off ten shows. The dates have not been rescheduled as yet.