Watch Brian Johnson Remembers How He Joined AC/DC

Thinking of AC/DC without Brian Johnson at the mic feels almost unreal, but his 42-year journey with the band has made it seem like an eternity. Johnson stepped into the spotlight following the tragic death of Bon Scott, the band’s original lead singer. Taking on this significant role was no small feat, but Johnson embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

Johnson’s introduction to AC/DC came during the creation of their groundbreaking album Back in Black. This record, which produced classics like “Hells Bells” and “Shoot to Thrill,” marked the beginning of a new era for the band. Despite the band’s endorsement, it was ultimately up to the fans to decide if Johnson would fit in. As Johnson recounted in an interview with UCR, the debut night was pivotal: “I remember that specifically — that was a big moment in me life,” he said. “It was in Namur, a little town in Belgium. It was just supposed to be a warm-up.”

Guitarist Angus Young described the unexpected success of the performance. “We just wanted a little place to see how it would go. It just kept getting moved because more people were showing up, until the end — we were in this huge hangar.” The surprising turnout demonstrated that AC/DC’s new frontman was hitting the right notes.

Despite the excitement, Johnson was understandably nervous. In his AXS TV interview, he shared, “It was scary done and it went… beautifully scary. I was 32 years old, I thought what am I doing here? They’re gonna find out after a couple of days that I’m just not that good.” His apprehension was palpable as he faced the challenge of filling Scott’s shoes.

Johnson also spoke about the creation of Back in Black, revealing how he started writing lyrics for the album. “Malcolm came up to us, I think on the second day, and he said, ‘Can you write lyrics?’ and I said I’d give it a shot.” He went on to craft lines like “She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean,” which became iconic.

The whirlwind recording process saw the band finishing the album in just six weeks. Johnson recalled, “It’s a strange thing, when something’s so fabulous, it just looks so easy.” This quick turnaround produced one of the best-selling hard rock albums in history, showcasing not only AC/DC’s enduring appeal but also Johnson’s successful integration into the band.