# In 2016, Axl Rose replaced Brian Johnson on tour with AC/DC. Johnson couldn’t bring himself to watch

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-2016-axl-rose-replaced-brian-johnson-on-tour-with-ac-dc-johnson-couldnt-bring-himself-to-watch/
- Published: 2026-10-25T22:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T23:11:15+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-2016-axl-rose-replaced-brian-johnson-on-tour-with-ac-dc-johnson-couldnt-bring-himself-to-watch/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Hearing concerns forced Brian Johnson off AC/DC’s tour.
- Axl Rose filled in for the remaining shows.
- Johnson praised Rose but found it too painful to watch.

## Summary

Brian Johnson had to stop performing with AC/DC in 2016 after doctors warned that continuing the Rock or Bust tour could cost him his hearing. The band carried on with Axl Rose, Guns N’ Roses’ singer, stepping in, a decision that kept the tour going but divided fans.

Rose said he volunteered after hearing about Johnson’s situation and wanted to help if the band thought he was suited to the role. Johnson believed Rose did a good job, but described watching him perform as like finding a stranger in his home and said he “just couldn’t watch”; he bore no grudges, recognising the band’s difficult position.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.