Dave Grohl revealed one of the biggest full-circle moments of his musical career. The Foo Fighters frontman revealed that he broke down in tears after joining AC/DC onstage to perform one of the band’s most iconic songs, “Highway to Hell.”
During a recent interview with New Zealand radio station The Rock, Grohl admitted that the experience overwhelmed him, especially because AC/DC had played such an important role in shaping his musical ambitions.
The unforgettable performance took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, last month, when Foo Fighters joined AC/DC for two shows on their tour.
Dave Grohl Couldn’t Hold Back His Tears After Performing With AC/DC
For Grohl, sharing the stage with AC/DC was much more than another exciting concert moment. It was the realization of a childhood dream.
The musician recalled how his wife watched from the side of the stage as he joined the Australian rock legends for “Highway to Hell.” However, once he stepped offstage, the emotions finally caught up with him.
Speaking about the experience, Grohl explained that he started crying uncontrollably. “It was so crazy because my wife was on the side of the stage. We played ‘Highway To Hell.’ I walked off stage, and I broke down in tears, sobbing like a baby. I was sobbing, like wailing, sobbing, and I couldn’t believe it. I was, like, ‘That is one of the most full-circle moments of my entire life,’ and I will never forget it.”
AC/DC Inspired Dave Grohl When He Was Just 11 Years Old
Grohl also reflected on the experience that first introduced him to AC/DC’s explosive approach to rock music.
When he was 11 years old, he watched the band’s 1980 concert film, Let There Be Rock. The footage completely changed how he understood live performances.
“Watching a band go on stage and just destroy the stage and equipment and themselves for an hour and a half. I didn’t know that’s how you play rock’n’roll. I thought rock’n’roll was like Beatles and Kiss and things like that. I’d never seen someone so drenched in sweat that they needed an oxygen tank. I was, like, ‘That’s what I wanna be when I grow up. I wanna be that guy,” Grohl revealed.
How Dave Grohl Ended Up Sharing the Stage With AC/DC
Foo Fighters joined AC/DC for two performances last month after The Pretty Reckless had to withdraw from the shows. The collaboration gave Grohl another opportunity to perform alongside one of his biggest musical influences.
At the October 2 show at MetLife Stadium, AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson introduced Grohl before inviting him to join the band for “Highway to Hell.”
The Foo Fighters frontman stepped out with his guitar and joined the rock veterans for the performance, giving fans an unexpected collaboration between two generations of rock royalty.
The appearance also followed Foo Fighters’ earlier opportunity to support AC/DC in St. Louis in September.
