AC/DC’s Brian Johnson returns to the stage

Brian Johnson, Robert Plant and Paul Rodgers
Brian Johnson, Robert Plant and Paul Rodgers (Image credit: Paul Rodgers)

Former AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson and Robert Plant joined Paul Rodgers onstage in Oxford last night for a cover of Barrett Strong track Money (That’s What I Want).

The show at the city’s New Theatre was part of Rodgers’ Free Spirit UK tour and saw all three frontmen share vocals, with Plant also providing harmonica.

Watch the video below.

The live performance marked a return to the stage for Johnson, who was forced to bow out of AC/DC in March last year after doctors warned him he faced total hearing loss if he continued. The band hired Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose to complete their Rock Or Bust world tour.

Johnson said at the time: “My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic.”

He’s been working with audio experts Asius on a solution with their chief scientist Stephen Ambrose telling TeamRock in October that Johnson could return to performing live “within six months to a year.”

Earlier this month, a cryptic message on Robert Plant’s website sparked online hopes of a Led Zeppelin reunion.

It had been rumoured that Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones could get back together for an appearance at California’s Desert Trip 2017.

However, late last week, organiser Paul Tollett confirmed that the festival which last year featured the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, the Who and Roger Waters, would not return in 2017.

Rodgers’ tour dates continue on May 17 with a show at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall. Find a list of live dates below.

Paul Rodgers Free Spirit 2017 UK remaining tour dates

May 17: Leicester De Montfort Hall
May 19: Sheffield City Hall
May 20: Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
May 22: Westcliff On Sea Southend Cliffs Pavilion
May 23: Ipswitch Regent Theatre
May 25: Portsmouth Guildhall
May 27: Birmingham Symphony Hall
May 28: London Royal Albert Hall

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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.