Brian Johnson’s Vital Career Advice He Got From Roger Daltrey In 1973

During his pre-fame era, Brian Johnson got to cross paths with Roger Daltrey, who gave him some invaluable advice. The two met backstage at the British music television program, Top of the Pops.

Johnson was there to promote their new song “All Because of You” with his band Geordie at that time, while Daltrey was there to perform his debut solo single “Giving It All Away.”

The frontman elaborated on that incident in his memoir, The Lives of Brian, which will be available in the market this coming October 25. There he wrote:

“After the taping, Geordie went to the green room again for a couple of beers, fully expecting to get thrown out after an hour for not being famous enough.

“But it didn’t happen, probably because Roger unexpectedly introduced himself to us at the bar. ‘Hello lads, how are you doin’?

Johnson added:

“I was intimidated at first.

“I mean, the guy was an absolute icon, and he was wearing the coolest flared dungarees with just his suntan underneath and a golden crucifix around his neck — but he turned out to be a regular lad, and he couldn’t have been friendlier. In fact, he went out of his way to tell me that I had ‘great pipes’ — which, coming from the guy who’d sung ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again,’ was the greatest compliment I’d ever been given.”

But that flattering moment did not end there. After their performances, Daltrey even invited Johnson to his house to have lunch and chat a bit. Upon entering Daltrey’s residence, Johnson recalls:

“Suddenly I heard the thud of approaching hooves, and when I looked up, I was treated to the most sensational sight — a beautiful white horse galloping towards me, no saddle, ridden by a bare-chested and barefoot man in powder blue jeans, with long, golden curly hair.

“He seemed to be holding on to the horse just by its mane.

“If this isn’t rock star, I thought to myself, I don’t know what is.” the frontman added. After their lunch, Daltrey explained to him why he’d been invited to his house. “You told me that you were living in a filthy flat in Hackney,” he said. “Well, me and the missus went through all of that. So, I wanted to bring you here and show you what you can do if you stick at it because there’s really no easy way and if our paths never cross again, I just want to say that I really hope everything works out for you.”

Johnson admitted that he was struck by the way Daltrey acted towards him and how genuine he was. He stated:

“Though he was this huge rock star, and I was just a guy in a struggling band from Newcastle — he genuinely wanted me to succeed. ‘The secret is,’ he added, ‘don’t give up. Never give up.’

“Later on, when the lean years hit and my days of fame faded like a politician’s promise, there were times when Roger’s words were a distant memory.

“But I clung on to them all the same, never giving up hope, even after my 30s crept up on me and kidnapped my 20s – even after I had to give up being a musician and get a ‘real job’ again.”

And when he was asked if he and Daltrey ever met again, Johnson shared:

“I’m happy to report that our paths did cross again. In fact, we still talk to this day.”