AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson recently opened up about how performing has evolved for the legendary rock band. His comments came nearly five decades after he joined the group.
Johnson is now 78 years old. He reflected on the unpredictability of live performance and how the band’s approach to the stage has shifted over the years in ways fans may not have noticed.
“I think it’s still the unknown,” Johnson said. “You’re all rehearsed, you know all your parts and your bits and pieces. But [the unpredictability] still keeps you on edge, you know, to be your best.”
Johnson went on to describe a new sense of freedom and connection that has emerged between the band members during live shows.
“On the stage, you can’t just immediately do things,” he continued. “You have to learn to watch the other person and… But we’re doing things now we didn’t think of doing before — interacting. It’s just more fun because we don’t care anymore.”
He also reflected on how his mindset as a performer has matured compared to his younger years with the band.
“When you’re younger, you take yourself very seriously,” Johnson said. “You know, you think, ‘I’m in a big rock and roll band.’ I never used to smile or anything. ‘Cause that’s what you thought you were supposed to [do].”
Johnson’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the personal evolution behind one of rock’s most enduring acts. They suggest that AC/DC’s chemistry on stage has grown more relaxed and spontaneous with time.
These remarks came during one of the most significant interviews AC/DC has given in years. It was a rare joint sit-down with guitarist Angus Young — their first in-person interview together since before the 2020 pandemic. The two shared a couch in a greenroom at a Charlotte stadium. The band confirmed it is the only interview they plan for the current tour.
The conversation took place in the context of AC/DC’s ongoing Power Up tour, which began in 2024 and has stretched across North America and Europe. The tour marked a major milestone for Johnson personally. It was his first full international touring schedule since recovering from serious hearing damage that forced him off the road in 2016. His return was made possible through advanced hearing technology that allowed him to perform without further risk to his hearing or his voice.
Johnson’s hearing loss had been one of the most discussed chapters of his career. His 2016 departure mid-tour left the band’s future uncertain. Between 2023 and 2024, he made limited live appearances before committing to the full Power Up tour schedule. His return was widely regarded as a triumphant comeback, with his voice remaining powerful and distinctive throughout.
Beyond the personal journey, Johnson’s reflections on stage interaction point to a deeper shift in how AC/DC operates as a live unit. He praised Angus Young’s stamina night after night and expressed deep respect for the band’s rhythm section. The spontaneity he described — watching each other, reacting in real time, doing things they had never done before — represents a creative loosening that decades of experience have made possible.
At 78, Johnson has made clear that he is not simply going through the motions. He wants AC/DC to be remembered as a great rock band. The band that once carried the weight of rock seriousness on its shoulders has, by Johnson’s own account, found something more valuable in its later years — the freedom to simply enjoy it.
