AC/DC Mark Anniversary of Brian Johnson as New Singer, Share Original Press Release

AC/DC made things official on April 15, 1980 with the announcement that Brian Johnson was their new singer. Today, the band’s social media accounts marked the anniversary by sharing the original press release from Atlantic Records.

Embedded below, the press release is titled “AC/DC Names Brian Johnson As New Lead Singer.” It reads as follows:

“Atlantic recording group AC/DC has announced that Brian Johnson has joined the group as their new lead singer. The news comes after the considerable speculation which followed the tragic and untimely death in February of original AC/DC lead singer/lyricist Bon Scott.

27 year-old Brian, who was born just outside Newcastle (England), was previously with the British group Geordie. They enjoyed two tope 20 hits in the U.K. in 1973, “All Because of You” and “Can You Do It.” Most recently, Brian had been singing with a re-formed line-up of Geordie, when he was invited to audition for AC/DC last month. Brian was recommended to the group by their producer, Robert John Lange.

Brian has now joined the other members of AC/DC – Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Phil Rudd & Cliff Williams – in rehearsals for the group’s next Atlantic album. Current plans call for the band to enter the studio in early May to commence the recording of the new LP.

AC/DC’s last album, “HIGHWAY TO HELL,” was recently certified platinum by the RIAA. The group most recently toured the U.S. in the Fall of 1979, with a cross-country headlining itinerary.”

Notable about this press release is how Johnson is said to be 27 when, in fact, he was 33 when he joined the band. Why Atlantic lied about his age is anyone’s guess, especially since Johnson and Scott were the same age.

Johnson will chronicle his early days with AC/DC in his upcoming memoir The Lives of Brian. The book was announced earlier this week and is due out October 26. In addition to covering his early days with the band, The Lives of Brian will also touch on Johnson’s life growing up in New Castle Upon Tyne, England and his pre-AC/DC music career.

AC/DC: Top 25 Brian Johnson Songs