AC/DC's Malcolm Young Hospitalised 'But A Fighter': Brian Johnson

10 July 2014 | 11:12 am | Staff Writer

The vocalist has revealed the legendary Oz-rock band have also completed work on their forthcoming LP

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The iconic long-time frontman of Aussie rock legends AC/DC, Brian Johnson, has revealed that founding member Malcolm Young is presently hospitalised – “but he's a fighter”, and the vocalist has his "fingers crossed" the rhythm guitarist will eventually return to the fold.

Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine, Johnson indicated that Young's previously announced hiatus from the band was due to perhaps more serious reasons than first thought, but that he is nonetheless confident the founding member will be back on his feet soon enough.

“We miss Malcolm obviously,” Johnson told the magazine. “He's a fighter. He's in hospital but he's a fighter. We've got our fingers crossed that he'll get strong again.

“Stevie, Malcolm's nephew, was magnificent, but when you're recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn't well, it's difficult,” he continued.

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“But I'm sure he was rooting for us. He's such a strong man. He's a small guy but he's very strong. He's proud and he's very private so we can't say too much. But fingers crossed he'll be back.”

News of Young's illness first broke in April, while rumours of an impending split were rife, with the band taking to their official website to tell their fans of his health troubles. “After 40 years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health,” the band said in a statement at the time.

“Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.”

The revelation arose while Johnson was discussing AC/DC's progress on their fifteenth studio full-length, on which he says the band have now finished work.

“It was brilliant over there,” Johnson, 66, said of recording the album in Vancouver. “We're done. I'm very excited and we've got some great songs.”

The album will be the band's first since 2008's Black Ice. Pontificating on potential titles, Johnson said: “I wanted to call the album Man Down. But it's a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.”

It's not just studio work that's kept Johnson busy of late, however, with the hard-rocking hero being bestowed with an honorary degree of Doctor Of Music from Northumbria University on Wednesday.

 

 

The degree was issued in recognition of “the significant contribution” Johnson has made to the industry over the past three decades as AC/DC's frontman. See more pics of the ceremony over at his website.

University vice-chancellor Andrew Wathey said of awarding the degree to Johnson: “Northumbria University has a strong tradition of partnership working in the region's cultural and creative sectors, and our Students' Union has long been a focus for key bands who have gone on to achieve worldwide success."