Jim Breuer does a pretty impressive Brian Johnson impression, a talent that has led him to develop quite the friendship with the AC/DC frontman. One that led to Johnson providing some guest vocals from Breuer's upcoming metal release. This also means the two are friends, and I'm assuming, talk on a regular basis.
Naturally, when news spread last week of Johnson facing total hearing loss, resulting in AC/DC having to postpone the remainder of their dates, Breuer reached out to Johnson, and while Johnson has yet to make a public statement himself, it seems like Breuer just made one for him. On Breuer's "The Metal In Me" podcast, Breuer revealed he spoke with Johnson and the singer feels like he's being pushed out:
"[Brian] said that he called and let [AC/DC and Young] know, 'Hey, this is what the doctor said, but let's try to figure this out. I don't think it's as bad as he said it is,'" Breuer said. "Literally the next day in the press, it was 'Brian Johnson, tour canceled, he's losing his hearing.'
"He said he just called and gave that information," Breuer said. "He didn't say he wanted to quit. He didn't say he was done. He called with that information, and two days later, he read in the papers and heard on Twitter and everywhere else, 'Brian Johnson going deaf canceling tour.' A day later, and it was, 'Oh, we're gonna have guest singers.'"
Breuer claims that Johnson thinks he's already been replaced, based on talking to other people in the AC/DC camp, and the announcement should be made soon.
Additionally, Breuer says that Angus Young wants to make another record and do another tour:
"[Brian] explained how Angus is the youngest guy in the band," Breuer said. "He's convinced Angus wants to continue the next ten years whether it's him or not. [Angus] wants to write another album and do one more tour. Who's filling those shoes? How do you do that after forty years? It's just really weird."
I can't imagine an idea like that would go over too well with AC/DC fans. It was hard enough when fellow guitarist Malcolm Young had to retire due to dementia and their drummer was out doing meth and getting arrested, but now to lose the voice of the band for the last 40 years? It just seems like the signs are all there to call it a day.
But Angus wants to rock. This is going to get messy. Update: Jim Breuer has posted a video statement saying that he was exaggerating the issue and mostly venting as himself, and most of these statements were not Brian's doing. Here's the video:
BRIAN JOHNSON/ ACDC clearing the air!
Posted by Jim Breuer on Tuesday, March 15, 2016
