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AC/DC Frontman On Retirement: 'I Don't Want To Look A Prat If I Try To Push It Too Far'
- July 23, 2009
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AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson admitted in a new interview with Classic Rock magazine that he has been considering retirement. "We were talking about the end of the tour and I said, 'We're finishing in May and that's me done!'" he says. "But Malcolm [ Young, rhythm guitarist] said, 'What are you talkin' about? We're not gonna let you retire!' And now they're talking about next year. I'm going, 'What do you mean next year? We're finishing in May in Japan, I'll be tired!' And they said: 'Well, we've been offered some festivals…'" The 61-year-old Johnson, who is scheduled to publish his autobiography "Rockers And Rollers" in October, insists that he remains fully committed to AC/DC, but says, "It's a tough one. It's not me — it's just my age," he reveals. "I try to keep myself fit, and I love it being in this band. But it's not just me — Cliff [ Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others. The other lads are in their early 50s. I'm the old dog in the regiment. "It's a purely selfish thing. I don't want to look a prat if I try to push it too far. I don't want for people to see me on stage and say, 'Oh, poor old fucker, the band's carrying him!'" Despite this, Johnson says he's feeling as good as he's ever done, and enjoying every moment on stage. "We've been out on the road since September [2008], but it never gets boring," he says. "They're just the best rock band, and just to listen to them every night, it gets me. Every time they kick in, you think, What the fuck! You're on again and you're thinking, 'This is ridiculous! I'm still grooving!'"
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COMMENT |
posted by : Skanna
7/24/2009 12:10:43 AM
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You've called RiotAct666. I'm out of the office now, so this an auto reply.
'Can't wait for the album / tour. Look forward to picking this up. You rule.'
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COMMENT | Good for Brian!
posted by : brianca
7/24/2009 12:19:32 AM
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I sometimes wish that every rocker had the wisdom and good sense of Brian Johnson! At 61, Brian is doing great, but it sounds like he's starting to see his limitations and ease into retirement. Nothing wrong with that! He's worked hard and had an incredibly respectable career. Why not end on a high rather than continue and become a parady of yourself? AC/DC will live on forever in the music when Brian is ready to hang up the microphone for good and enjoy the fruits of his labours!
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COMMENT | You've called RiotAct666. ^^^
posted by : RikkiRockettsRolex
7/24/2009 12:22:06 AM
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hahaha AC/DC RULES!!!
My favorite band!
-Triple R
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/24/2009 12:29:26 AM
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No wonder they are ripping everyone off for the expensive tickets
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 12:41:47 AM
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This is the end ...
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COMMENT |
posted by : MetallicaPuppet
7/24/2009 12:55:16 AM
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They'll just go on vacation for another 9 years and they'll be back at age 70 with a new album.
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COMMENT | i love Brian
posted by : And Then There Were None
7/24/2009 1:18:27 AM
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but see his point. that said, he still moves pretty well on stage and doesn't look even close to 61.
and his voice on the last album's the best it's been since Blow Up Your Video. way better than even Ballbreaker that was in 96 i think.
if he could knock out more songs with his voice as good as Black Ice, i'd be into it. but these guys take forever to write albums since the 80s.
Brian in the early 80s is my all-time fave vocalist. i still spin Flick on a regular basis. today i heard "Brain Shake." what an ass-kicker.
cheers.
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COMMENT | lol
posted by : chabbar
7/24/2009 2:19:03 AM
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Dan Nelson anyone?
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COMMENT | Bon > Brian
posted by :
7/24/2009 2:26:45 AM
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I hope Angus and Malcom search Youtube and find a Asian guy that sounds exactly like Bon Scott for their new singer.
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COMMENT | 10 replacement singers for AC/DC
posted by :
7/24/2009 3:14:17 AM
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Here are 10 singers that I think could take over in AC/DC. (not in any order)
Jesse James DuPree (Jackyl)
Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys/Broken Teeth)
Joel O’Keeffe (Airbourne)
Jizzy Pearl (Love/Hate/L.A. Guns)
Brian Vollmer (Helix)
Steve Whitemen (KIX/Funny Money)
Timexx Nasty (HZG/Drivin Rain)
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Stephen Erz (Herman Rarebell)
Joe Leste (Bang Tango/Beautiful Creatures)
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 3:47:24 AM
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Josh (Buckcherry)
That Krokus dude they auditioned in 1980.
Axl Rose (why not, they once considered Adler for drummer)
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 4:24:52 AM
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prat (prat)
n. Slang
The buttocks.
[Origin unknown.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
From Wiktionary:
Noun
prat (plural prats)
(British, slang) The buttocks.
(British, slang) A fool.
(slang) The female genitals.
So, now you know where "pratfall" comes from - to fall on your prat, on your ass.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/24/2009 4:51:22 AM
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Get the Zetro. He's a perfect fit.
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COMMENT | GhostofNavigator
posted by : chtimixeur
7/24/2009 6:00:07 AM
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> GhostofNavigator : what's the name of the asian Bon Scott on youtube you were referring to ?
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COMMENT |
posted by : Mandalay
7/24/2009 6:28:27 AM
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Brian looks incredible for his age and does sound a lot better than he has in recent years. He and Angus were ripping it up on stage like kids when I saw AC/DC last fall in DC, one of the best shows I've seen in a while. If the body and mind hold up, go for it!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/24/2009 7:30:36 AM
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There must be a illegitimate son of bon scott around there. More than old enough to do the job or maybe another Young cousin ;-)
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COMMENT | More Punk than Punk, more Metal than Metal.
posted by :
7/24/2009 7:56:19 AM
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AC/DC will always rule! And Brian is a class act for admitting the inherent frailty his age brings on, and that he can't do this forever. And shouldn't have to. When he hangs it up, it'll be a sad day in the world.
ExpandedConsciousness: That'd be Marc Storace of Krokus, I presume. Never knew that AC/DC had auditioned him.
chtimixeur: I think GoN was making fun of Journey finding their current singer Arnel Pineda on YouTube pretty much by accident. Tom Scholz of Boston wound up doing pretty much the same thing as well, after Brad Delp died.
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COMMENT |
posted by : bladez
7/24/2009 8:03:31 AM
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Didn't know Storace was linked...
I know Terry Slesser was mooted for the job back in the day, and also auditioned for Iron Maiden after Di'Anno 'departed' - he also used to be in a band called Beckett and had a song covered by Maiden years later (Rainbows Gold).
Random fact of the day :P
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COMMENT |
posted by : p0is0n0us
7/24/2009 8:34:01 AM
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AC/DC will be fine if Brian leaves, they'll get Jim Breuer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfnDowXH1k
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COMMENT | He Must Have Seen
posted by :
7/24/2009 8:40:28 AM
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Mick Jagger's frail flamboyant antics
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COMMENT | Ok, I guess the story is Storace was offered an audition and turned it down. Dooh! What could have b
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 8:45:59 AM
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http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71471
Metalshrine: Speaking of AC/DC, I've read numerous times about this, but we're you at an audition or did they think of you or what's the story?
Storace: No, this was just a little question. We had the same production company in Birmingham and they came down with our production, lights and everything and we were so happy, like pigs in shit (laughs). Checking out the light show and about to head out on this intense European tour. Actually the owner of the company asked me "Would you like to audition for AC/DC?" But I said "No, no! I'm happy here! We're going places. They don't have a singer so they have the problem, not us." And in those days, naive as it may sound, that was it. And I must admit that I became a real AC/DC fan later on and at that point they didn't mean that much to me.
Metalshrine: You auditioned for RAINBOW.
Storace: Yeah, that was like a flash in the pan. In London I formed EASY MONEY and I was still in pubs and we had a publishing deal, writing songs, and we were actually coming to a point where we were gonna sign a deal with Chrysalis and they had GENESIS on the label and there was talk about signing the deal with Chrysalis and touring the U.S. with GENESIS. It was great, but internally, within the band, it was not gonna work...the chemistry. At the same time I was approached by an A&R guy during a rehearsal with EASY MONEY and he took me a side in the office and asked me if I wanted to fly to Geneva for a week or so. Anybody would fly to Geneva for a week! (laughs) And on top of that, auditioning for RAINBOW. I would do it even if I wasn't interested (laughs), to be able to meet Ritchie Blackmoore, a guitar idol, and Roger Glover and Cozy Powell and the keyboard player...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=24672
"When the question came through the grapevine after Bon [Scott's] death to join AC/DC I didn't know whether to believe it or not but I turned it down outright anyway. I didn't want to look temptation in the eye. Besides, I wasn’t even tempted because I believed KROKUS was going to continue to get bigger. AC/DC is the biggest band in the whole wide world now but back then I was that naive. I was cocky and naïve. I believed in what I was doing and I didn't like the AC/DC comparisons. We are not a 100% rip off."
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 8:54:18 AM
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My vote is for Jim Breuer. But I think he would go nuts and dive into the audience during the traditional "The Jack" tittie-showing.
"Boobies everywhere ... Blahahahaaaaa!!!"
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COMMENT | respect
posted by : BSlash24
7/24/2009 8:58:58 AM
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Totally got to respect this guy & wish more old rockers would have the same sense, keep their legacy's in tact. THough Ac/Dc has the boat loads of $$ to not worry about retiring.
Heard Jim Breuer on Stern just this morning doing a dead on BJ, both vocally & speaking voice, a total riot.
Tom Keifer sings just like him,...but the Britney Fox singer was a dead on rip off. Forget his name. Can't believe I even remembered the band.
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COMMENT | He is still the man
posted by :
7/24/2009 9:02:27 AM
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I saw AC/DC the first time in 1982 on the For Those About to Rock tour and they were just amazing. Took my kid to see them last January (there were tons of families at the show which was cool) and man they were great. Angus has lost a step or two over the years, but even with him losing a few steps, he rocks harder than most guitarist half his age. And his playing was on fire. I thought Brian Johnson was in top form the night we saw them, he really sounded good and I thought really led the band like I had not seen him do before in past years -- I guess I've seen them 3-4 times over the years. I think they have another album and tour in them for sure, especially Brian. But hell, if I was that rich -- enjoy your later years with family and spend that money! These guys are just a real class act and deserve all the success they have.
In terms of the high ticket prices, yea, they were $100 a piece for some pretty good seats, but they but on one huge event that few bands these days do. A production like that cannot be cheap. I thought it was worth every penny.
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COMMENT |
posted by : jeffgq
7/24/2009 9:34:54 AM
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"But it's not just me — Cliff [Williams, bassist] is knocking on a bit more than the others"
what does 'knockin on" mean? i dont understand his austrailian accent/dialect
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 9:43:13 AM
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Where did Brian pick up an Australian accent/dialect?
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COMMENT | Brain ask yourself..............
posted by :
7/24/2009 10:01:04 AM
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WWLD?
What would Lemmy do?
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COMMENT | Answer.......
posted by :
7/24/2009 10:01:38 AM
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Have some Jack and Coke, smoke a few, think it over, get back on stage.
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COMMENT | Don't know
posted by :
7/24/2009 10:05:45 AM
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I just don't think AC/DC will go on if Brian leaves. I could be wrong. Rock on AC/DC.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 10:23:59 AM
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AC/DC would never hire another singer if Bon Scott died, it would be like Zep going out without John Bohnam.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Aces_High99
7/24/2009 10:37:19 AM
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I'm a huge AC/DC fan...met Angus, Malcolm and Phil back in 2000, but seriously...let's look at it:
1. FOUR new albums nearly 20 years, and a nine-year wait for this last one?? It is NOT rocket science writing an AC/DC song...if they were really still into the music, it wouldn't take this long.
2. Brian's voice is shot, and has been shot for over 15 years. He sounds GREAT on Black Ice, and as I've said before, someone should give Brendan O'Brien a Nobel Prize for getting such a great performance out of him, but live, it's over.
3. The setlists...damn, the setlists. AC/DC may win the prize for old bands that refuse to mix up their setlists. Hell, even Iron Maiden is more adventurous in the last few years than these guys. I didn't even see them on this last tour because the setlist was so damned disappointing.
So, couple those three things with their ages, and especially Brian seeing as how smoking and age affects a person's voice, and I'd say...hang it up.
You're fucking legends...one of the best bands of all time. No one can take that away from you, and you've earned your retirement.
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COMMENT | Geordie
posted by : savagedamage
7/24/2009 11:24:34 AM
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Brian's best vocal work was his pre-AC/DC days in Geordie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRxMXy1gOTk&feature=related
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COMMENT | Geordie
posted by : And Then There Were None
7/24/2009 12:30:54 PM
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Brian's voice sounds great, but i've bought a 4-cd set and i just can't get into the songwriting. there are a few good ones, but overall i find it bland and lacking in hooks.
but that's just me.
and you can't scream like Brian for years and years and expect your voice to stay the same.
in my opinion, BIB, For Those and Flick all have killer, killer vocals.
Fly was a great album and his voice was still good but was beginning to lose a bit of the high end. not fuzzy like Razor's edge, but the turning point.
i'll take the first three Brian albums over any three in rock history but, again, that's me. i know most will disagree. but true Brian fans love those albums. Flick is the most criminally underrated album of all time.
cheers.
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COMMENT | post # 145 for B.J.
posted by : I'mGonnaKillEddie.
7/24/2009 1:01:41 PM
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Definately alot of love for him here.
I would go another 10 years Brian, then re-evaluate and go another 10 yrs. you know everyone love a success story and there's none finer than his. Hat's off Brian. & when you do retire you will not be missed. Thanx for the grit and grime and the gargling of broken glass before each set. Lots of love, of course. a true gem = 'gone shootin'' that's from the DVD Plug me in. rehearsal and they nailed it.
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COMMENT | And Then There Were None
posted by : Billy Oxygen
7/24/2009 1:16:00 PM
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Agreed on all points. Stopped buying ACDC after being so disappointed with Razor's Edge.
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COMMENT | And Then There Were None
posted by : Aces_High99
7/24/2009 1:36:15 PM
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Hell yes.
I LOVE Flick of the Switch. I think it's way better than For Those About To Rock...it's ballsier and rawer, but still has a nice clean, heavy production.
Mutt Lange was starting to gunk their sound up too much, so I'm really glad they got out before he "Def Leppard-ed" them.
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COMMENT | AC/DC Will never retire
posted by : RiotAct666
7/24/2009 2:34:21 PM
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COMMENT | Hehe
posted by : Expanded Consciousness
7/24/2009 7:15:58 PM
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akermanr, baby!
'AC/DC would never hire another singer if Brain Johnson retired, it would be like Alice In Chains going out late in their career with a singer other than Layne Staley. WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/24/2009 9:17:58 PM
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there is no rock without ACDC the best band ever johnson is one bad mother fucker wooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
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COMMENT | hey guys
posted by : And Then There Were None
7/25/2009 12:31:21 AM
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glad to see some love for Flick but...
i never said i didn't like the albums after that or the also underrated Fly.
Razors Edge has a killer title track (with proper Brian vocals from the early 80s it would be a classic). and the radio singles were admittedly good to great.
Ballbreaker i actually really like. no, his singing isn't amazing but songs like The Furhor, Whiskey On The Rocks and the title track are slamming. on the title track he actually sings low and sounds amazing and i was hoping he'd do more of that: kind of a cool English crooner growl, like Tom Jones after a bottle of whiskey and a mean fight.
i didn't care much for Stiff but i think there are about 5 or 6 great tracks on Black Ice. if they made that a 10-song album, it would be A LOT better reviewed by critics and fans.
and his voice on the new one is perfectly acceptable. better than Razors which is remarkable considering how old that album now is.
i don't know if he scraped his nodes, or the time off helped but his voice is about as good as 1988. not great but very good.
if just for the riffing, you have to get Ballbreaker.
cheers.
np: Coroner: Grin
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COMMENT | AC/DC SINGER REPLACEMENT
posted by :
8/9/2009 8:23:44 AM
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This guy could easily step in -
Martyn Jenkins of AC/DC Tribute "HIGHWAY TO HELL" - he has the pipes, check him out on -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPV_YAv1TB4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rd28c7lWKw
He has shared the stage with Brian and Cliff and was in notable Queen Tribute "Night at the Opera" in the UK. Amazing Frontman -
www.highwaytohellrocks.om
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