Brian Johnson's Incredible Story of AC/DC's "Back In Black"

AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson tells the fascinating story about getting the call to join AC/DC and how he flew to the Bahamas to help make the album, "Back In Black".
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[@michaelr.4878]

Brian Johnson..the nicest and most normal guy in rock. A classy legend.

[@afterforever2765]

What a dude!

[@AntonioBarsanio]

Amazing band, amazing voice and the Angus brothers amazing guitar players. edit. My mistake, the YOUNG brothers! 😆

[@indamood8806]

One of the nicest guys, and oh that voice, when he was younger...😊

[@hillstfan3735]

@@indamood8806 He sang even better with Geordie ( IMHO ! )

[@joshuablum2527]

Great storyteller 😍😍😍

[@darmon931]

I love how brian always respected bon

[@PT-vv3ep]

@darmon931 BS if he did he would have given him the credit for writing back in black.

[@darkharvest4722]

​@PT-vv3ep Contrary to what you've heard...Bon didn't write one song on that album. That's been debunked by Brian AND Angus multiple times. Do some research before spouting off "rumors" or "BS".

[@manipulatedworld5355]

You do some research Angus slipped up in Kerrang magazine in 86 and admitted they had Bons lyrics and didn’t know what to do

[@utubehound69]

@@darkharvest4722 Rumors? Angus said before he wrote lyrics for B&B as well as sat in on the drums as Mal & Ang worked out songs for B&B never mind The Scott family gets Royalties from Back in Black

[@chuckharst8676]

@@darmon931 because he made a lot of money singing bons songs!!!

[@rickdrais9737]

How many bands can lose their lead singer and not only replace him with an equally memorable voice, but then record their greatest album? Not many. And Brian was one of the main reasons that album is still so great

[@northernengland]

He wasn't first choice, they wanted Gary holten but they couldn't trust him, he was spot on for the gig.

[@michaelmcardle]

Iron maiden?

[@adamwesley9569]

In other words there few and far between

[@joepro182]

@ChunkyDrunk652Dio is not Sabbath.

[@rattandroll2010]

I always thought highway to hell was their best album

[@driftwood-c4g]

No wonder AC/DC is such a legendary band. Just look at how Brian speaks. Not even a hint of attitude. Despite all the commercial success and truck loads of money earned over the years. Take a bow sir.

[@mck974]

well said. I agree. That band as a whole was just a really humble bunch. They all just seemed above all the ego of stardom and just worked at their craft! Phil being the exception. He seems like he's got a bit of an ego. I think that might be putting it lightly!

[@kdonovan221]

Amen

[@chewy2804]

He’ll never take a bow. We bow to him.

[@driftwood-c4g]

@@chewy2804 that’s what take a bow means.

[@jordaneastwood6678]

He's from northern UK nicest people on the planet 😊

[@ericwiitala5407]

I could listen to him tell stories all day and night long. Incredibly humble man.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I have met Brian a couple times in Florida. He lives in my home town and I used to fish behind his house from a boat. His dock has lights and snook hang out under it all night so we stopped there a lot. Twice he was on the dock and we talked to him. The first time he shared his tequila with us right from the bottle (1.75 liter Jose Cuervo). The second time he was sober. Both times he was very nice.

[@roathripper]

oh man what a memory!

[@tommytucker7091]

You must live in Sarasota. My sister met him numerous times at Bwana Bob's. I also know the guy who put the carpet in his house on Bird Key . He said Brian and his wife were two of the nicest people he ever met. Bought em lunch every day they were there.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

@@tommytucker7091 You got the Sarasota part right but I don't live there anymore. I was born and raised there but now I live in VA by the Chesapeake Bay. FL won't let us grow fun stinky little plants and VA does. I catch a lot of the same fish I caught in FL too. Brian was great both times I met him, and his wife came out once. My buddy used to be their landscaper until Brian's wife fired him. But at the time they were cool and she seemed okay. I didn't get to chat with her.

[@jordaneastwood6678]

You will find Geordies in the UK northern people round about Newcastle area they are all lovely welcoming people

[@nickgoesvestmode]

Brian Johnson's ability to mimic other accents and dialects is greatly underappreciated.

[@Muddy_The_Water]

AC/DC formed in 1973, 51 years later they are still rocking the world. They are amazing!!

[@LN-Lifer]

My first concert ever. Appropriate because AC/DC literally turned me into a rock fan. Before that I was in love with ....um...Madonna. In my defense I did have an older sister

[@michaelatkinson6730]

Brian Johnson is an incredible story teller. You can see the enjoyment in Dan Rather's face listening to him talk.

[@iSiberianHusky]

Story teller is right. Difficult to believe a word he says, he never actually wrote a lyric or a note of anything. Other than Bon, Angus, and his late brothers Malcolm and George, there has been nobody having anything to do with AC/DC that ever revealed anything real.

[@michaelatkinson6730]

@@iSiberianHusky You dont know shit. Troll!

[@robwelling9930]

I’m fortunate enough to call Brian a friend, and have known him and Brenda for years. They’re truly some of the most personable, generous and friendly people you could hope to know. There isn’t a single ounce of ego or rock star BS… they love life, and it’s contagious when you’re around them. From traveling to shows with them, going out to dinner or enjoying the holidays and parties at their house, it’s always just laughs, smiles, great stories (like this one) and good times. Everyone that says he’s one of the best, couldn’t be more right. And the rest of the family is just the same. Rock on my friend. \m/

[@fikodu16]

I love them , but their songs about hail satan and all the satanic shit... what's your opinion on that ? Is that for Entertainment, to sell more or what ?

[@jmishima666]

@@fikodu16 i can tell you they definitely dont worship satan but use stuff like highway to hell as a metaphor for another meaning, their songs dont suggest anything of satan worship like what?

[@trulylynn9941]

I know he loves fast cars! He bought one from my friend Richard. He has always come across as a genuine person.

[@tarzanmike7836]

I was fortunate to get backstage and meet the band in Oakland, CA after a concert. The band were very nice and appreciative of their fans but Brian was simply fantastic. He was very engaging and genuine, just a great experience.

[@agua-gratis-044]

that's fucking awesome.

[@metalwizard1969]

I’m more of a Bon Scott fan but Brian Johnson killed it. Back In Black is still one of the all-time great rock albums.

[@ScottyPrince-t2o]

I agree,I'm more bon ,all day long.but brian done a kick ass job .and humble about of of their success.bon is in a league of his own.but gotta love Brian for his part.🤘🤘

[@RARufus]

I honestly don’t have a preference. They’re both great but in different ways. Agree that Back in Black is one of the all time great albums!

[@JeroIron]

I'm also more of a Bon Scott fan in general, but all my favourite songs are with Brian I think. I just have to feel for him. Like imagine being the frontman of one of the greatest bands ever, and still be known as "the new guy" after almost 45 years, constantly being compared to the dude that sang for 6 years before you.

[@ScottyPrince-t2o]

@JeroIron I love Brian too.hes done a hell of a job.but I'm more of a bon scott man.and yes your exactly right,he's been in the greatest band and still being compared to bon.i think both of them have AC/DC in their veins.and there both rock n roll at its best.without either one ,bon or brian,they wouldn't of been the best band in the world.well can't forget the others,Angus is a guitar god....🤘🤘

[@debbieallen7160]

I never actually heard Bon Scott. It was already Brian by the time I came around.

[@kellywilson8440]

Brian lives in his heart and thats a big place to live , Your the best Mr.Johnson and your band AC/DC has rocked the world for decades , For those about to rock WE salute you sir !

[@Magicalfluidprocess]

That’s a great comment 👍

[@sergeantbarnes5928]

”Ze AC und ze DC.” ”You mean AC/DC?” ”Scheisse, I have said too much.” 😂

[@scottbelcher3654]

I had to stop the video, I was in tears of laughter after this bit! 🤣 Never was an emoji so true to life 🤣

[@Nasty-Canasta]

I can hear Sergeant Shultz saying that

[@yanuriroschev7270]

Historic! "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean". Legend!

[@utubehound69]

Yes Bon Scott is a Legend

[@vikingoverlord857]

Worst song AC/DC ever recorded.

[@yanuriroschev7270]

@@vikingoverlord857 it reached 35 on the US Billboard Top 100 Pop Singles in 1980, which resulted in converting thousands of new fans. It worked for them.

[@mojomagick]

The man is a legend. I suggest to everyone to get his autobiography, The Lives of Brian, especially the audiobook. It's great listen and there's nothing like hearing Brian tell the stories, imagine this interview, but 10 hours long!

[@pipertripp]

and in that great Geordie accent of his.

[@derickdoveglass]

Thank you, I’m buying it!

[@gearoiddom]

Thanks for that heads up! No idea there was such a thing. Never get tired of Geordies - probably the English language’s greatest accent.

[@ethangriffiths7802]

I’ve got the copy of the book I didn’t realise there was an audiobook that he speaks? That’s great I’ll have to look it up

[@iwannaseenow1]

Whoa, never jeard of this. I think I may just pick it up.

[@UstedTubo187]

Bon Scott was an amazing lead singer and rock star, but I just can't imagine Back in Black with anyone but Brian singing.

[@indamood8806]

It wouldn't work with Bon. It's a different music. They knew it was senseless trying to go on like with Bon. So they changed to an almost completely different band. And yes: It was progress as well.

[@chuckharst8676]

If Bon were alive you wouldn't know the difference

[@indamood8806]

@@chuckharst8676 Back in Black would be a completely different album then. Maybe it wouldn't even exist. And as much as I appreciate the Bon Scott era: I am sure he has reached his peak with Highway to Hell and the band began to stuck in their style. Because if we are honest, we must recognize, that HTH lives from the production and the performance rather than from the songs. There are several fillers on that album.

[@chuckharst8676]

@@indamood8806 much of back in black was already written when Bon died. It was masterfully produced by a rock legend. Pure speculation that Bon reached his peak. Doubt that. Bon would have taken the album to the top just as Brian did for sure.

[@indamood8806]

@@chuckharst8676 No, he wouldn't. His vocal style was completely different and perfect for the rock'n'roll of ACDCs 70s albums. But BIB is darker and heavier than what they did before. Besides that Bons drinking problems became worse at the time and could become a risk for the band.

[@thomasleslie2856]

I live in Sarasota, FL and have had the honor and pleasure to meet Brian Johnson. What a wonderful person, and class act. .😊

[@WarriorMigs24]

Back In Black is a classic forever

[@rockhaze]

And Hells Bells too.

[@maxmenius9839]

Brian so much deserves the success he's achieved. Worked hard for it. I cannot imagine anyone else helping AC/DC move forward after Bon Scott's death. Brian's voice is one-of-a-kind, and a perfect fit for AC/DC.

[@TheDarDar1]

Don't you wish you were neighbors with this guy? Just a real, true, genuine guy.

[@mikeonfreeserve2926]

No chance of having to turn your music down

[@yotubek]

Thank you, thank you, thank you forever Mr. Johnson for changing our lives with your music over the years. You were (and still are) a tremendous inspiration. Love and great respect from the States ❤

[@Workforaliving]

What an amazing Humble man...wow

[@carlrussell5488]

Bon and brian are legends

[@iSiberianHusky]

Bon wrote songs, Johnson never wrote a thing. Ever.

[@soakman2000]

Met him in Memphis before a show . Took the time to stop and talk to us . Very nice and down to earth guy. My hats off to you sir 🍺🍺🍺

[@mjmcnult]

I remember very clearly getting the cassette tape of Back in Black when it first came out listening to it as I drove to my gf's house, and then, after arriving, sitting in the driveway to listen to all of Shoot To Thrill. It was just that good that I had to keep the beautiful 18 yr old skinny blonde waiting.

[@brandonh4816]

Nice 👍 did your gf like the album too? 😅

[@fatstratcatdaddyo]

Such a humble guy...

[@johnnyboywonder]

What a sweet guy

[@werkerfurn]

Check out Brian Johnson TV

[@Petequinn741]

Much luv to you Brian and Angus...all the years of musical enjoyment

[@herseem]

Either born to be a performer.... or a mechanic. You can just see him leaning over the bonnet saying, "yeah, your head gasket's gone mate".

[@markovilla1]

I was 12/13 when I bought my first ACDC record - Rock n Roll Ain't Noise Pollution 7 inch Vinyl single - and as much as I loved that, it was Hells Bells on the B-Side that really got me. 56 years old now and I bounced around for 2 hours like a crazed teenager at their Wembley gig in July this year... just brilliant. People call them Hard Rock and that may be right but, I think of it more as Hard Rock n Roll... luv em!!!!

[@HeikeGrun-sv5le]

I totally agree! This music is absolutely timeless and ageless, I'm 53 now and still bouncing around just as enthusiastically as I used to.

[@jaydoubleu3419]

AC/DC the best

[@tns4421]

44 years back...in black !!!!

[@Bill.X]

While Bon is the voice of AC/DC, Ive always gravitated towards the personality of Brian. Such a cool, down to earth human being and a genuinely kind person. Will always be my favorite singer, and I've never been happier for him, seeing him return to the stage.

[@timking-iy9jw]

I've settled on not being able to pick a favorite. Bon Scott was amazing. Pure rock n roll, the way it's supposed to be. But at this point, after more than half a century....Brian Johnson is THE lead singer of AC⚡DC. Saw them on Ballbreaker & Stiff Upper Lip tours. Was blown away by how much they exceeded my already lofty expectations.

[@purdhupley7864]

As a fan, I never accepted him. I still loved the music, but he wasn't Bon. But when they went out with Axl, I found myself really fell into Brian's camp. The unfairness of it all, that Brian was the voice of the band and like with Bon they just moved on.

[@mockchurch8719]

If I could sit with ANY musician of my choice dead or alive I would choose Brian Johnson. Incredible musician/singer with incredible down to earth personality, no pretentious attitude, with amazing stories I can Listen to for hours!

[@jonasedfeldt1127]

Great singer, but highly mediocre in every other way!

[@svennih6067]

It is always a pleasure listening to Brian speak. He really know how to make people feel comfortable in his presence.

[@torinoscaletunes]

Saw them last month at wembley. It's such a life-affirming sight to see how much they still love these tunes. It's joyous.

[@ivanvaughn369]

2:33 perfect Malcolm impression

[@petebrown3715]

AC/DC- Still touring on Back In Black! Rock on gents.

[@mjmcnult]

Angus is a R0ck N Roll monster. He just cannot stop.

[@paulsmith9192]

@mjmcnult aren't they working on a new album?you should check out band,Airbourne the acdc clones

[@patrickdufresne8485]

Seems like every member of AC/DC is just a wonderful human being, just listening to various interviews. And they rock!

[@patrickbuchanan2510]

Humble and wildly intelligent. His car show is fantastic too.

[@lambo2655]

What a great interview, Brian has such a humble and warm personality. The band couldn't have picked a better person to replace their lead singer.

[@paulricketts5537]

AC/DC are the greatest band ever,

[@210078]

Brian..such an awesome guy...Be awesome to have a few Grog's with him

[@mtbiker4life918]

I have been to every tour ac/dc had with Brian. Everytime he sounded incredible, and you just could not wipe the smile off his face, he truly loved being on stage with the band.

[@iSiberianHusky]

Johnson's voice is shot.

[@mtbiker4life918]

@@iSiberianHusky agreed, they need to hang it up and call it good. The only band that can get away with still playing at an old age are the Stones. Jagar keep in amazing shape.

[@liamthompson9342]

What a humble guy! You'd never guess he was the frontman for one of rock's most famous alltime bands if you didn't already know.

[@Chris-kj7de]

I love how Brian Johnson still has his Geordie accent and is so down to earth.

[@ScottMabry-v3k]

Good grief, I was mowing my yard today thinking about this dude.… Without reading any of the comments my thoughts went along the lines of this.… Brian Johnson pull off the biggest hat trick in rock ‘n’ roll we owe a whole huge truckload in debt of gratitude to Brian Johnson, thank God for Brian Johnson what would we have done without him? Good God what would we have done without Brian Johnson? I say that with no hesitation and total dedication to those words that man save rock ‘n’ roll.

[@Tonyclifton-q4f]

14 years old Melbourne in 1981,ACDC 1st consert in Australia since Bon passed away ,the band that warmed up for ACDC had the best frontman ever the greatest from Australia ,say hello to Doc Neeson from The Angels ,RIP

[@newYorkStories]

Great Man, Great Accent, Great Legacy!

[@martinmiller7623]

Thank you for many years gentlemen. All in for a wish and hard work. Easybeats…..

[@nekot9274]

No one could have replaced Bon Scott, so Brian did his own thing and moved AC/DC from a legendary 70's band into a legendary 80's and beyond one.

[@Matt_Villines]

I’ve said it for almost 15 years, and I’ll always say it; we as humans were robbed of the potential songs we might have gotten from AC/DC if Brian had sung like he did in Geordie. Not that I don’t love what we did get. I just feel like there was so much potential there

[@anthonysmohawkspeedshop324]

Down to earth, never forgot where he came from. That made them even better, if that were possible.

[@stevenkmiller]

The movie "Rock Star" shoulda been made about this guy and this situation.

[@tube396]

Wonderful interview!

[@phil4986]

GREAT interview. I am so happy that Brian Johnson was able to recover from injuring his hearing in his race car. Brian's love of high-powered race cars with unmuffled exhaust pipes almost permanently deafened him. A profoundly talented, hardworking man surrounded by the same in the AC/DC band. I am a lifetime fan.

[@JayDrake9923]

I have Brian's autobiography. It's a great book.

[@sneakymoon556]

Dude has the best impressions

[@rayguimond4911]

Just finished reading his autobiography, highly recommend.

[@zeitakulobusta]

Brian's German impression is great

[@plantagenant]

What a great bloke.

[@MrBaros33]

Sort of guy who you could sit down and have a beer with, and feel like you have known him as your best mate, all of your life, what a great guy!

[@jayroc_fpv9046]

Humble AF. Love you Brian

[@cmiles97x38]

His speaking voice is so deep & gravely! He is such a great story teller!

[@barbarawolfe232]

Yeah, He's definitely got that voice, perfect for ACDC,😍🎤

[@Afrosaxonn]

Brian's feet never left the ground. Honours everyone around him. Not surprising that is loved by so many of his peers.

[@stanvalentine1839]

I saw 1 live show of acdc in Portland Oregon 1995. Still to this day one of the best shows I've seen.

[@davidbritt7698]

Thanks for your contribution to this world. I've rocked out with you my entire life and will keep doing that till the good Lord calls 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@citadel9611]

Love Brian Johnson. Love his honesty. The album "Back in Black" is one of the all time greatest rock albums of all time.

[@maryannproffitt]

He is that good, that’s why he got to stay.

[@citizenVader]

Cheers and blessings, guys You are taking everyone to school 😅

[@12-Poler]

Thank GOD……for AC/DC! 🤟🤘

[@Lynchfan88]

For me, Brian has done a superb job. He's got such a unique voice, love him!!

[@markchristianson8178]

Brian is a very humble person lot's of other stars could learn from this . Thanks Brian for joining the band !!!!!

[@seankrug4995]

I’ve always loved AC/DC, awesome to know Brian is such a down to earth, generous person. The way he praised other great artists as fellow legends such as Metallica, Beetles, etc shows he is a great man.

[@adzlespaul1]

A national treasure!

[@shawnbruce6934]

I Love these interviews. His accent is Superb.

[@mwaynem]

I've been blessed to grow up in the best times for Rock. There are so many fantastic groups and solo artists from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. AC-DC will always be at the top of my list of the greatest bands in Rock and Roll.

[@jonesr227]

Brian is a great story teller.

[@spookedhorse]

Saw Brian with the band 45 times between 1980 - 2009. Outstanding stage presence. Great writer and singer. He's such a badass.

[@duncanhynes929]

Cant wait to see this chap on stage

[@therealdoug1000]

Talented, humble, likeable. Rock royalty at its finest!

[@ianc1312]

Phenomenal vocal performance on Back in Black

[@maryannproffitt]

To whoever wrote the title of the video: The first lyrics he talked about were to You shook me all night long not Back in Black.

[@joshsalmon1994]

I saw AC/DC in 2000. Best show I have ever seen. It was awesome.

[@tealnexttimebond8859]

Greatest band I’ve ever heard. In concert in Houston texas their last tour rock or bust Toyota center. Best time of my life. I was blown smooth away. I came out of stadium just repeating un believable un believable . Absolute blast. Loud as hell

[@sickerman88]

what a powerful story he told about the love of his life. Such a decent and tormented man, fame sometimes can be a poison as well as a blessing

[@phoenixmediaforge]

Summer of '79 I was hanging out with some CBS execs, when the topic of AC/DC came up. They told me that the band was in the studio with a new singer. Not long after that I heard "You Shook Me" on the radio. My publisher happened to be with me and we both were blown away by it. I remember after the track was over, we both said "that's a hit!"

[@ryanwharton6]

There's something about Brian that makes you want to head to the pub and sit and talk to him for hours! Down to earth legend.

[@Doomzdayxx]

I was born in '82 so as far as I knew Brian has always been the front man of AC/DC. Classy and cool dude, and a living legend.

[@mymikecooks9268]

This has great movie potential telling the story of how Bon in Fraternity met Brian in Geordie - how Bon made a mention to AC/DC that Brian was a great singer and how Brian auditioned and joined them. This with the making of Black and Black, which still goes down as one of the best albums of all time and the success that the band would have... There is at least 2 hours of cinematic thrill and fun to be had for this!

[@weibring]

just finished listening to his audio book...absolutely amazing, including that story...made even better by Johnson telling it

[@brewster84067]

I wish these two icons of their respective professions would talk for days on end and record the session. This feels like a teaser to one of the greatest conversations in world history.

[@jamesmarkellos6174]

seen them 3 times live last time 2015 hope they tour again absolute best live band i seen in my life full of energy great vocals and guitar riffs just a great band to watch live all round long live acca dacca

[@mac10ner]

Touring now. Seeing them in Dublin next week😊

[@primaltone]

I know that I would not want to meet many of my heroes. I feel I could meet Brian and walk away a better person. He's just so damned humble and relatable, a living legend. Thank you, Brian. "Hells Bells" was THE song that shaped my passion for music to this day. Those bells and drums. That guitar. The second guitar. The bass. And the rolling thunder. It changed everything.

[@blucat4]

Great to hear some new info on how it all happened. Brian is so normal and down to earth, he's like just a Geordie boy. One of the biggest rock stars ever.

[@Domzdream]

What an AWESOME guy!

[@caronwood3052]

I imagine Bon Scott meeting Brian, shooting the breeze

[@51char]

Brian such a great character! He’s really good painting the picture on what he describes..

[@VitaminD-123]

Dan Rather! Dude! So many cool interviews and you Kill It!!

[@nov20five]

To come into the picture to replace a legend and become a legend in the process is the epitome of rock and roll.

[@cardinalfang7725]

He deserves everything he has achieved and then some. I wish I could sit down and have a conversation with him.