AC/DC’s long and successful career playing around the globe has landed their lead singer in a lot of health trouble. Brian Johnson, 68, has been ordered to stop touring immediately by doctors, or risk complete hearing loss, in a shock announcement posted on the band’s website on Monday.
The news has forced the legendary Australian band to reschedule a string of 10 U.S. dates on their “Rock or Bust” tour, with their next show in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday.
Now that Johnson can no longer tour, the band will likely find a replacement who will fulfill lead singer duties for the band, yet to be announced.
“Tomorrow’s show in Atlanta through Madison Square Garden in New York, NY in early April will be made up later in the year, likely with a guest vocalist,” according to a statement by the band.
It’s not the first time a late-career AC/DC has faced difficulties, with the band’s drummer Phil Rudd under house arrest in New Zealand for threatening-to-kill and drug offences. Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young left the band in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia.
Johnson is not the band’s original lead, replacing then frontman Bon Scott after his death from alcohol poisoning in 1980, to sing on the band’s seventh studio album Back In Black.
Only time will tell if AC/DC can ride its latest challenge; but after all, it is a band that’s been marked by tragedy from early in its career.
By Johnny Lieu | Mashable
http://mashable.com/2016/03/08/ac-dc-hearing-loss/
# # # Related Story # # #
AC/DC Singer’s ‘Deafness’ Fears: Other Musicians Who Suffer From Severe Hearing Problems
AC/DC have postponed the rest of their US tour after the band’s lead singer, Brian Johnson, was told he risks total hearing loss if he continues.
The 68-year-old has been the lead singer of the band since 1980 – and their future has now been put in doubt.
However, he is not the first musician to suffer from hearing problems due to his line of work.
Action on Hearing Loss said anyone regularly exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels risked permanent hearing damage.The charity’s senior audiologist, Louise Hart, said: “If you’re a musician, or someone who enjoys going to concerts regularly, you should wear ear protection, which reduces your exposure and could save your hearing.”
# # #
[Captions under photos of the artists]
Pete Townshend: The Who guitarist is “almost stone deaf”, according to his bandmate Roger Daltrey, who spoke about Townshend’s hearing problems during an interview in 2011. The 70-year-old is said to be completely deaf in one ear, partly because of Keith Moon, who once blew up his drum set on stage. Townshend also has tinnitus as a result of his band’s famously live gigs. (Credit: kubacheck/Flickr)
Ozzy Osbourne: The Black Sabbath frontman said he suffers from permanent tinnitus and can hear a “constant ringing” in his ears. He told the Sunday Times: “It’s like this Whee! noise in my head all the time. Should have worn earplugs, I guess.”
(Credit: Brandon Marshall/REX/Shutterstock)
Will.i.am: The Black Eyed Peas and The Voice star has spoken of his tinnitus and revealed that he can hearing buzzing “all day, every day”.“I can’t sleep,” he said. “Turn up the TV. Got to drown out the tinnitus.” (Credit: Will.i.am)
Barbra Streisand: The Hollywood star believes she developed tinnitus as a child and hears “high frequency noises”. In an interview with US TV presenter Barbara Walters, she said: “It’s annoying because I long to hear silence.”
(Credit: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com/REX/Shutterstock)
Phil Collins: The former Genesis drummer and solo star revealed in 2011 that he had lost hearing in his left ear, which, coupled with other health problems, meant he was no longer able to play the drums. However, last year the 64-year-old confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was “no longer officially retired”. (Credit: Richard Young / Rex / Shutterstock)
Anthony Pearce’s Blog
https://www.yahoo.com/news/photos/ac-dc-singers-deafness-fears-162756207/