Brian Johnson (born 5 October 1947) is an English singer and songwriter. In 1980, after the death of
Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott (9 July 1946 – 19 February 1980) was an Australian singer and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980.
Born in Forfar in Angus, Scotlan ...
, he became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band
AC/DC. He and the rest of the band were inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), sometimes simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum
A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and othe ...
in 2003. In March 2016, he temporarily stepped away from the band during the
Rock or Bust World Tour
Rock or Bust World Tour was a 2015–2016 concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC, in support of their sixteenth studio album ''Rock or Bust'', which was released on 28 November 2014. This tour had 7 legs around the world lasting more than ...
due to hearing problems. In September 2020, AC/DC officially confirmed that Johnson along with fellow band-mates
Phil Rudd
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecius, 19 May 1954) is an Australian drummer, best known as the drummer of AC/DC across three stints. On the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became ...
and
Cliff Williams
Clifford Williams (born 14 December 1949) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He started his professional music career in 1967 and had previously been in the English ...
had returned in August 2018 to record the band's 2020 album, ''
Power Up
POWER UP (the "Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Reaching Up") is an American non-profit organization and film production company with the stated mission "to promote the visibility and integration of gay women in entertainment ...
''.
Johnson was one of the founding members of the rock band
Geordie formed in
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne ( RP: , ), or simply Newcastle, is a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. The city is located on the River Tyne's northern bank and forms the largest part of the Tyneside built-up area. Newcastle is ...
in 1971. After a few hit singles, including UK Top 10 "All Because of You" (1973), the band split up in 1978. Following the death of Bon Scott on 19 February 1980, Johnson was asked to audition for AC/DC. AC/DC guitarists and founders Angus and Malcolm Young initially reached out to Brian remembering when Bon had been impressed with him after seeing him perform with Geordie. His first album with AC/DC, ''
Back in Black
''Back in Black'' is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It was released on 25 July 1980 by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records. It is the band's first album to feature lead singer Brian Johnson, following the death ...
'', became
the second-best-selling album of all time, according to most estimates. ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'' ranked the successful transition to Johnson at No. 36 on their list of 50 key events in rock music history.
Johnson is known for his distinctive singing voice and strong
Geordie accent. In July 2014, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music by
Northumbria University in the city of Newcastle in recognition of his significant contribution to the music industry.
Early life
Johnson was born on 5 October 1947 in
Dunston, then in
County Durham. He is the oldest of four siblings. His English father, Alan, was a coal miner and
sergeant major
Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world.
History
In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in th ...
in the
British Army
The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...
's
Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry (DLI) was a light infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 to 1968. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and t ...
who died in 1996. His Italian mother, Esther (''née'' De Luca), was from
Rocca di Papa
Rocca di Papa (Roman Castles Romanesco dialect, Romanesco: ) is a small town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, Italy. It is one of the Castelli Romani about southeast of Rome on the Alban ...
. When he was young, Johnson performed in various shows with the
Scouts
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpack ...
, appeared in a play which aired on television, and joined a local church choir.
He also served in the
Territorial Army with the
Parachute Regiment in Germany for two years.
Career
Early career
Johnson's first band was the Gobi Desert Canoe Club. He was also in a band called Fresh. From 1970, Johnson played with cabaret/club band the Jasper Hart Band, performing songs from the musical ''
Hair
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.
The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and f ...
'' as well as soft-rock/pop songs of the time. He and other members of the band went on to form
Geordie.
His first and only solo single, "I Can't Forget You Now", he released also as a member of Geordie in January 1976 on the Red Bus label. In 1982, a compilation including ten of Geordie's 1973–1976 songs, was issued as Brian Johnson's solo album ''Strange Man'' on the
MCA label. The U.S. 1989 CD ''Keep On Rocking'', with re-recorded versions of the band's twelve known songs, was released under the name of Brian Johnson and Geordie as well as the Australian 1991 compilation CD ''Rockin' With The Boys 1972–1976''.
AC/DC
![Brian_Johnson_-_Manchester_Apollo_-_1982](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Brian_Johnson_-_Manchester_Apollo_-_1982.jpg)
Following
Bon Scott's death, the remaining members of the band briefly considered quitting, before concluding that Scott would have wanted AC/DC to continue. Various candidates were considered for his successor, including ex-
Back Street Crawler vocalist
Terry Slesser
Terry Slesser (also known as Terry Wilson-Slesser) is a blues rock singer from South Shields, England. He is chiefly known for his role as vocalist in ex- Free guitarist Paul Kossoff's band Back Street Crawler, renamed Crawler after Kossof ...
and
Slade
Slade are an English rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The ''British Hit Singles ...
's
Noddy Holder
Neville John "Noddy" Holder (born 15 June 1946) is an English musician. He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the English band Slade, one of the UK's most successful acts of the 1970s. Known for his unique and powerful voice, Holder co ...
, who declined, before selecting Johnson.
AC/DC guitarist and co-founder
Angus Young
Angus McKinnon Young (born 31 March 1955) is an Australian musician, best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and only remaining original member of the hard rock band AC/DC. He is known for his energetic performances, schoolbo ...
later recalled, "I remember the first time I had ever heard Brian's (Johnson) name was from Bon. Bon had mentioned that he had been in England once touring with a band and he had mentioned that Brian had been in a band called Geordie and Bon had said 'Brian Johnson, he was a great rock and roll singer in the style of Little Richard.' And that was Bon's big idol, Little Richard. I think when he saw Brian at that time, to Bon it was 'Well he's a guy that knows what rock and roll is all about.' He mentioned that to us in Australia. I suppose when we decided to continue, Brian was the first name that
Malcolm
Malcolm, Malcom, Máel Coluim, or Maol Choluim may refer to:
People
* Malcolm (given name), includes a list of people and fictional characters
* Clan Malcolm
* Maol Choluim de Innerpeffray, 14th-century bishop-elect of Dunkeld
Nobility
* Máe ...
and myself came up with, so we said we should see if we can find him."
The band agreed immediately that Johnson's performing style fit AC/DC's music. In March 1980 Johnson received a phone call inviting him to London to audition as the new vocalist for AC/DC. As a big AC/DC fan, he was happy to oblige. Malcolm remembers the day: "We were all sitting there going, Where's this guy Brian? He should have been here an hour ago. 'Oh him? He's downstairs playing pool with the roadies' – so we thought, well, at least he plays pool."
When someone fetched him to meet them, Malcolm recalls that Johnson, "had tears in his eyes. He was as sad about Bon as we were. Anyway, we said, Do you want to give it a go? And he said, 'I do "
Whole Lotta Rosie
"Whole Lotta Rosie" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It is the eighth and final track on the band's fourth Australian album, ''Let There Be Rock'', released in Australia in March 1977, and was written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young ...
" with Geordie,' and off he went. We went, this guy is cutting the mustard. Anything else you know? "
Nutbush City Limits
"Nutbush City Limits" is a semi-autobiographical song written by Tina Turner which commemorates her rural hometown of Nutbush in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States. Originally released as a single on United Artists Records in August 1 ...
"? OK, we can knock that out, and he sang that great too. It put a little smile on our faces – for the first time since Bon. So we just started working with him then." Within days, Johnson was in the band, the news being made official on 1 April. A week after that he was sent a plane ticket to the
Bahamas
The Bahamas (), officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the North Atlantic. It takes up 97% of the Lucayan Archipelago's land area and is home to 88% of the ar ...
(their management's idea, partly for tax purposes and partly because there were no vacant studios in the UK) where he joined the Youngs, bassist
Cliff Williams
Clifford Williams (born 14 December 1949) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He started his professional music career in 1967 and had previously been in the English ...
, drummer
Phil Rudd
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecius, 19 May 1954) is an Australian drummer, best known as the drummer of AC/DC across three stints. On the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became ...
and ''
Highway to Hell
''Highway to Hell'' is the sixth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 27 July 1979. It was the last album featuring lead singer Bon Scott, who would die early the following year on 19 February 1980.
Background
By 1978 ...
'' producer
Mutt Lange
A mutt is a mongrel (a dog of unknown ancestry).
Mutt may also refer to:
People
* Mutt, a derogatory term for mixed-race people
Nickname
* Larry Black (sprinter) (1951-2006), American sprinter
* Mutt Carey (1886–1948), New Orleans jazz trump ...
in
Compass Point Studios
Compass Point Studios was a music recording studio in the Bahamas, founded in 1977 by Chris Blackwell, the owner of Island Records. The concept of the studio was of a recording facility supported by in-house sets of artists, musicians, producer ...
.
The result was the album ''
Back in Black
''Back in Black'' is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It was released on 25 July 1980 by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records. It is the band's first album to feature lead singer Brian Johnson, following the death ...
'', which was released in July that year. It was a worldwide success and went on to become the second best-selling album of all time. In 1986, Johnson returned to Tyneside and appeared in the music video for "
You Shook Me All Night Long
"You Shook Me All Night Long" is a song by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, from the album ''Back in Black''. The song also reappeared on their later album ''Who Made Who''. It is AC/DC's first single with Brian Johnson as the lead singer, rep ...
", and the video received significant airplay on MTV.
![ACDC - Hells Bells](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/ACDC_-_Hells_Bells.JPG)
The 1988 album ''
Blow Up Your Video
''Blow Up Your Video'' is the eleventh studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. The album was re-released in 2003 as part of the ''AC/DC Remasters'' series.
Recording
Writing sessions for ''Blow Up Your Video'' took place in London's ...
'' was the last AC/DC album to feature lyrics from Johnson. Starting with ''
The Razors Edge'' in 1990, guitarists
Angus
Angus may refer to:
Media
* ''Angus'' (film), a 1995 film
* ''Angus Og'' (comics), in the ''Daily Record''
Places Australia
* Angus, New South Wales
Canada
* Angus, Ontario, a community in Essa, Ontario
* East Angus, Quebec
Scotland
* An ...
and
Malcolm Young have written all of AC/DC's material. When asked by a fan during a radio interview why he stopped contributing lyrics, he laughed, "I ran out of words" and went on to explain that during recording he did not always enjoy the pressure of having to come up with an album's worth of lyrics and was relieved when the Young brothers filled in during ''The Razors Edge''. The band has since continued in that tradition for every album since.
![Brian Johnson with ACDC Tacoma WA Feb 2 2016](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Brian_Johnson_with_ACDC_Tacoma_WA_Feb_2_2016.jpg)
A symbol of the working class in the north of England, Johnson customarily wears a
newsboy cap
The newsboy cap, newsie cap, or baker boy hat (British) is a casual-wear cap similar in style to the flat cap.
It has a similar overall shape and stiff peak (visor) in front as a flat cap, but the body of the cap is rounder, made of eight pi ...
on stage and frequently off. Johnson has occasionally worn
baseball cap
A baseball cap is a type of soft hat with a rounded crown and a stiff bill projecting in front.
The front of the hat typically displays a design or a logo (historically, usually only a sports team, namely a baseball team, or names of relevant c ...
s as well. His brother suggested that the singer wear the cap onstage to prevent sweat rolling off his thick, curly hair into his eyes while singing. "He said, 'Put it on, at least you'll be able to see what the bloody freak you're doing!' So I put it on and after three songs in the second set, I looked at him, put my thumbs up – 'This is brilliant!' He never did get that hat back."
In April 2016, during the
Rock or Bust World Tour
Rock or Bust World Tour was a 2015–2016 concert tour by Australian rock band AC/DC, in support of their sixteenth studio album ''Rock or Bust'', which was released on 28 November 2014. This tour had 7 legs around the world lasting more than ...
, AC/DC announced the departure of Johnson, citing hearing issues. As the band explained it, Johnson risked total hearing loss if he continued. Johnson stated that his hearing issues hadn't come from performing for 36 years with AC/DC, but from having forgotten to put ear plugs in during a race that left him with a punctured left
ear drum
In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the air ...
.
Guns N' Roses singer
Axl Rose
W. Axl Rose (born William Bruce Rose Jr.; born February 6, 1962) is an American musician. He is best known for being the lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, and has been the band's sole constant member since its incep ...
was recruited to complete the remaining ten shows in North America and twelve shows in Europe. Johnson's last show with AC/DC was on 28 February 2016; at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. He stated in an interview that he "had a pretty good run" in AC/DC and implied that he might not be returning. After departing
AC/DC, he recorded a new song with comedian
Jim Breuer
James E. Breuer (born June 21, 1967) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and radio host. He was a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1995 to 1998 and starred in the film '' Half Baked'' (1998).
Early life
Breuer was born ...
called "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll". Johnson made a cameo appearance with rock band
Muse
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...
on 31 August 2017, performing a rendition of "Back in Black" with the group.
In August 2018, rumours began circulating that Johnson and drummer
Phil Rudd
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecius, 19 May 1954) is an Australian drummer, best known as the drummer of AC/DC across three stints. On the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became ...
had rejoined AC/DC. According to members of the band
Terrorizer
Terrorizer is an American grindcore band formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. After disbanding, its members gained recognition by playing in influential extreme metal bands, such as Morbid Angel ( David Vincent, Pete Sandoval), Napalm ...
, in January 2019 Johnson confirmed to them that he is back in AC/DC after getting "sick of denying it" and that he is working on a new album.
On 30 September 2020, AC/DC posted a photo on social media listing the band's new line-up, including Johnson on vocals, as well as a photo featuring, him, Angus,
Cliff Williams
Clifford Williams (born 14 December 1949) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He started his professional music career in 1967 and had previously been in the English ...
,
Phil Rudd
Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecius, 19 May 1954) is an Australian drummer, best known as the drummer of AC/DC across three stints. On the 1977 departure of bass guitarist Mark Evans from AC/DC, Rudd became ...
and
Stevie Young
Stephen Crawford Young Jr. (born 11 December 1956) is an Australian musician, and the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the Australian rock & roll band AC/DC. He joined the band in April 2014, to record the group's ''Rock or Bust'' albu ...
reunited.
''Helen of Troy'' musical
Since April 2003, Johnson, who says "I love musical theatre, especially the classic stuff, like
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their popular ...
", has been working on a musical version of ''Helen of Troy'' with
Sarasota Ballet
The Sarasota Ballet is an American ballet company based in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded in 1987 by former ballet dancer Jean Weidner Goldstein and is now acclaimed for its performances of Sir Frederick Ashton's ballets under its director Iai ...
choreographer,
Robert de Warren
Robert de Warren (born 1933) is a British former ballet dancer, choreographer. He was the foundering director of the ''National Folklore Society of Iran'' (1971–1976). He served as the artistic director of Northern Ballet in England for 11 years, ...
. The musical is a ''
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...
''-style musical with rousing anthems, tender ballads and minimal dialogue. He conceived the project with writers
Ian La Frenais
Ian La Frenais (born 7 January 1937) is an English writer best known for his creative partnership with Dick Clement. They are most famous for television series including ''The Likely Lads'', ''Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?'', ''Porridg ...
,
Dick Clement
Dick Clement (born 5 September 1937) is an English writer, director and producer. He became known for his writing partnership with Ian La Frenais for television series including '' The Likely Lads'', ''Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?' ...
, and
Brendan Healy
Brendan Healy (born August 4, 1983) was a professional lacrosse player for the Washington Bayhawks and the Chicago Machine of Major League Lacrosse.
Professional career
In his first season with the Baltimore Bayhawks, Brendan played in ten ga ...
after seeing
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ''
Cats'' and being underwhelmed at what he saw.
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell (born Malcolm John Taylor; 13 June 1943) is a British actor, producer, and television presenter. He is best known for portraying Alex DeLarge in ''A Clockwork Orange.'' He was born in the Horsforth suburb of Leeds and raised i ...
, who made his recording debut singing one of the songs for the soundtrack in Brian's studio, agreed to play
Zeus
Zeus or , , ; grc, Δῐός, ''Diós'', label= genitive Boeotian Aeolic and Laconian grc-dor, Δεύς, Deús ; grc, Δέος, ''Déos'', label= genitive el, Δίας, ''Días'' () is the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek reli ...
.
The Cranberries
The Cranberries were an Irish rock band formed in Limerick, Ireland. Originally named the Cranberry Saw Us, the band were formed in 1989 by lead singer Niall Quinn, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler. Quinn was ...
singer
Dolores O'Riordan and
Bruce Vilanch
Bruce Gerald Vilanch (born November 23, 1948) is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winner. Vilanch is best known to the public for his four-year stint on ''Hollywood Squares'', as a celebrity participan ...
were also set to participate. In 2004, Johnson travelled to Greece to film an episode of the television series ''Goddess Odyssey'' in which he researched the
Helen of Troy myth. It was released on DVD in July 2005 and contains music from the theatre production.
Phil Carson
Phil Carson is an English former record label owner and London-based Senior Vice President of Atlantic Records from 1968 to 1985. He is known for his association several rock bands, including Led Zeppelin, Yes, AC/DC, and Twisted Sister.
Born i ...
, former chief executive of
Atlantic Records, supported the project but it was never staged.
Other activities
A car and racing enthusiast, Johnson currently enjoys racing his vintage race cars: a
Royale RP-4 and a
Pilbeam MP84, which he races in vintage and historic races throughout the United States. In 1997, Johnson recorded with the band
Jackyl
Jackyl is an American rock band formed in 1991. Their sound has also been described as heavy metal and southern metal. Their self-titled debut album has sold more than a million copies in the United States with hit singles like "Down on Me ...
on their song "Locked and Loaded", and in 2002, wrote lyrics on the track "Kill the Sunshine" from their album ''
Relentless
Relentless may refer to:
Film
* ''Relentless'' (1948 film), an American film directed by George Sherman
* ''Relentless'', a 1977 American television film starring Will Sampson
* ''Relentless'' (1989 film), an American crime film starring Jud ...
''. In the video game ''
Call of Duty: Finest Hour'', he voices Sergeant Starkey. He made a cameo appearance in the 2005 film ''
Goal!''
[ where he appears as a Newcastle United fan in a bar in California watching a Newcastle game.]
In 2006, he took part in car racing reality television series '' The Race'', broadcast on Sky One
Sky One was a British pay television channel operated and owned by Sky Group (a division of Comcast). Originally launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, it was Europe's first satellite and non-terrestrial channel. From 31 July 1989, ...
in the UK. In 2007, Johnson and AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams
Clifford Williams (born 14 December 1949) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He started his professional music career in 1967 and had previously been in the English ...
took part in the Classic Rock Cares tour to raise funds for the John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle (9 October 194427 June 2002) was an English musician who was the bassist for the rock band The Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band's only member ...
Foundation, which is run by Entwistle's long-time friend and drummer Steve Luongo. They performed AC/DC songs as well as songs written by Johnson for the film '' Totally Baked''.
On 26 July 2009, Johnson appeared as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car on the BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
''. His time of 1:45.9 tied him with ''
. Johnson subsequently appeared in the premiere of ''Top Gear'' series 20 and was the first star to record a time in their new
test vehicle, recording a time of 1:45.1. In April 2015, Johnson stated it was a mistake for the BBC to sack
after the ''Top Gear'' presenter punched a colleague: "I know Jeremy and I know the lads
just totally out of character."
His autobiography ''Rockers and Rollers'' was published in 2000. He raced in the 2012
on 29 and 30 January 2012. He finished 12th in the
, and Carlos de Quesada. He competed in the 2012
Celebrity Challenge race. In 2013, Johnson appeared as a guest singer on two songs on
'' which features artists with roots in the northeast of England.
In May 2014,
broadcast ''Cars That Rock with Brian Johnson'', a documentary series fronted by Johnson where he explores his favourite iconic motor cars. The first episode looks at the history of the
, with Johnson driving a big selection of the cars, including the car from the 1969 British caper film ''
'' and the world's fastest Mini. It concludes with Johnson racing a
, and finishes with him stating he has bought the car he raced. As of 2016, the show can now be seen on the
broadcast the first episode of ''Brian Johnson: A Life on the Road''. Series 1 comprised six episodes, with Johnson meeting contemporaries in the music industry to talk about their musical upbringings and careers. Featured were
. Johnson's memoirs, entitled ''The Lives of Brian'', was published by Harper Collins and released on Oct 25, 2022.
Johnson married his first wife, Carol, in 1968, and they have two daughters: Joanne (born 1968), and Kala (born 1973). They divorced during the writing of ''
'' album. He is now married to Brenda, and lives in
, US.
and was asked to invest in the club in the early 1980s after being invited to meet the board by club legend
causing AC/DC to cancel several shows on their 2010 tour in support of ''Black Ice''. However, doctors were able to prevent the disease from developing into
.
of British millionaires in music, Johnson was worth £50 million in 2011.
On 9 July 2014, Johnson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music by
in recognition of his significant contribution to the music industry. In October 2014, he became a supporter of the Yorkshire Dementia Charity based in the village of
.
* ''Rockers and Rollers: An Automotive Autobiography''. Simon & Schuster Australia. 2009. .
* ''The Lives of Brian: A Memoir''. Dey Street Books. 2022. .