This weekend was a big news weekend for AC/DC. We learned from one statement that Brian Johnson is definitely out of the band and that Axl Rose will be the replacement for the already scheduled European tour and the upcoming rescheduled US tour at the very least. Beyond that, the band might find a new vocalist, we're not sure yet.
What we are sure of is that the band had been holding auditions ever since they found out that Johnson would no longer be able to tour or risk total hearing loss. One of the people auditioned was Darren Caperna of Dallas AC/DC tribute band Back In Black.
Caperna detailed his audition on the tribute band's Facebook page, revealing that the band contacted him by phone and he and Back In Black guitarist Mike Mroz were flown out to Atlanta on the week of March 14th in order for Caperna to audition for the role.
Caperna notes the audition began with him warming up with some techs during soundcheck and then next thing he knows AC/DC guitarist Angus Young is right behind him waiting to say hi.
After meeting the band, and having some tea, AC/DC put Caperna to work. The 3-4 song audition turned into a 21-song concert. Caperna ended up singing the entire “Rock or Bust” tour set, plus two additional songs that Angus wanted to play, “Dog Eat Dog”, and “Riff Raff”. Caperna comments: “Before we started “Riff Raff”, Angus came up to me, and said “I’m warning you in advance that we are still a little rusty on this song!” Did I just hear Angus apologizing to me?!”
Mroz and Caperna spent over 4 hours with their musical heroes. Caperna states “ It was all so surreal, we had a couple of breaks, and Angus told me some great Bon Scott stories. They were all so friendly, and treated us as their peers. I still can’t believe that I sang with AC/DC!”
Caperna adds, “Even though I did not get the job, it was the experience of a lifetime! Being in a tribute band for 16 years, we were hoping that we would be able to meet AC/DC one day — but this goes way beyond our expectations! Now, I have a great story to tell my grandchildren, and the guitar students that I teach at For Those About To Rock School in Southlake, Texas.
“This experience was so inspiring and educational — Plus, I had my own private AC/DC concert, fronted by my singer”, Mroz continues. “At the end of the night, I saw Angus outside, and he told me that Darren had done a great job. I thanked him again for the opportunity. I told him that when I first started our tribute band (Back In Black), I was a little uncomfortable wearing his trademark schoolboy outfit. But then I realized that it drove the girls crazy!” Angus laughed and replied “Don’t tell anyone our secret!”
While it seems Caperna didn't get the gig, he certainly got the experience of a lifetime.
It's unclear if AC/DC plan to retire from touring after fulfilling the remainder of the dates or if they will seek to find a new vocalist to keep going.
What do you think AC/DC should do?
