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AC/DC’s Brian Johnson Loves Getting Older – Unlike Mick Jagger
Ultimate Classic Rock ^ | July 17, 2026 | Martin Kelly

Posted on 07/18/2026 5:20:43 PM PDT by DoodleBob

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson said he was having much more fun as an older musician than he’d had in the past.

His comments appear to be at odds with those of Mick Jagger, who recently said there was nothing good about ageing.

Perhaps four years is all it takes to make the difference – Johnson is 78 while his Rolling Stones counterpart is 82. In any case, Johnson recently told USA Today that hitting the stage was more enjoyable now.

“I think it’s still the unknown,” he said in the video interview. “You’re all rehearsed; you know all your parts and your bits and piece. But [the unpredictability] still keeps you on edge, you know, to be your best.”

Guitarist Angus Young, 71, interjected: “I just worry about if I’m going to trip over… That’s about it!”

“Yeah, just stupid things like that,” Johnson agreed, adding that the band had learned how to make more of their stage presence. “You can’t just immediately do things. You have to learn to watch the person. We’re doing things now that we didn’t think of doing before. Interacting.

“It’s just more fun, because you don’t care any more. When you’re young you take yourself very seriously – you know [we’re] a big rock’n’roll band. I never used to smile or anything because that’s what you thought you were supposed to [do]!”

Will AC/DC Continue After 2026?

AC/DC launched the North American leg of their Power Up Tour on July 11, delivering a 21-song set, after suggesting via social media that the current run of shows will be the last of the road trip that began in May 2024. The final performance takes place on Sept. 29 in Philadelphia.

Neither Johnson or Young commented on the band’s future in the interview, but when asked what they’d like people to say about their legacy, the guitarist replied: “‘A great rock band.’”

“‘They were great at what they did. And they did it consistently,’” Johnson added. “You never thought back in the day –– when I finish here I’m going to be 79!” He said of the band’s multi-generational fanbase: “I’d love to thank them all one by one.”


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society
KEYWORDS: acdc; brianjohnson; garagebands; mickjagger
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To: Mathews

A great selection.

Anthrax is easily the most molten of the three. Thrash, speed, and pure energy.

Megadeath is my least fav of the three but turn in a great show.

Maiden reigns supreme. They STILL kick out the jams, are tight, and don’t tune down. They’re not as molten as Anthrax but they’re sort of in different genres.


21 posted on 07/18/2026 5:48:44 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: DoodleBob
And then there’s Jack Benny.

Side note: “Jack” was once a nickname given to sailors. Benny got that name because he served in the US Navy during WW1.

Respect to him.
🇺🇸

22 posted on 07/18/2026 5:50:30 PM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: DoodleBob

It was a great show. But saw them in Nashville the year before and it seemed this year the vocals and Angus’ guitar playing were just a tad off from previous year.


23 posted on 07/18/2026 5:57:58 PM PDT by pangaea6
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To: DoodleBob

I don’t care for his voice. Bon was better.


24 posted on 07/18/2026 6:00:48 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: dfwgator

Mine as well. The live version from If You Want Blood…


25 posted on 07/18/2026 6:03:11 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: DoodleBob

Mick told us long ago, “What a drag it is getting older”.

I saw AC/DC for the second time for their Back in Black tour. I wasn’t really sure if I liked Brian yet. It didn’t seem right without Bon. That night he completely won me over. What an awesome show.


26 posted on 07/18/2026 6:05:24 PM PDT by ETCM (“There is no security, no safety, in the appeasement of evil.” — Ronald Reagan)
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To: crusty old prospector

Geezer rock. I’ve seen Leon Russell walk on stage with a cane. Ray Charles was carried by the Raylett’s and musicians. Russell still had the voice. McCartney had young backups. It’s doable but I wouldn’t go back to be a concert animal as too many are missing at least one dead member.


27 posted on 07/18/2026 6:06:29 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: dfwgator

I have to say that AC/DC may win the Grand Prize for rock bands that were able to not just continue but eclipse their prior success after their frontman dies.

That’s quite an achievement, since Bon Scott was no slacker. Far from it. He is easily in the list of the top five greatest frontmen ever. I put David Lee Roth, Bruce Dickinson, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix in that list with Bon.

The only other band that came close - to me - is Alice In Chains. William Duvall is a guitarist, a great vocalist, and isn’t an addict. AIC released three albums since Layne died, with much strengthened songwriting, and keeps playing to large crowds. I acknowledge that many casual fans prefer Rooster over Rainer Fog, but AIC would not be as popular now had they just quit.


28 posted on 07/18/2026 6:07:13 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: DoodleBob

And replacing Malcolm was not easy either, he really was the engine of the band.


29 posted on 07/18/2026 6:09:11 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: DoodleBob

I can’t think of Anthrax without thinking of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go-0H0LDkGI


30 posted on 07/18/2026 6:10:06 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: Mathews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iasuHMvymI


31 posted on 07/18/2026 6:18:57 PM PDT by EvilCapitalist (I wasn't expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition.)
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To: dfwgator

She’s got the Jack!


32 posted on 07/18/2026 6:23:28 PM PDT by Poser (Cogito ergo Spam - I think, therefore I ham)
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To: DoodleBob

Thunderstruck ...


33 posted on 07/18/2026 6:31:53 PM PDT by bankwalker (Feminists, like all Marxists, are ungrateful parasites.)
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To: DoodleBob

One thing about geriatric rockers, doesn’t mater if their dentures are in or not or if they have an oxygen tube up the nose, the music sounds the same.


34 posted on 07/18/2026 6:51:50 PM PDT by fso301
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To: EvilCapitalist

Mine too! Love the bag pipes!!


35 posted on 07/18/2026 7:16:24 PM PDT by albie
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To: dfwgator

They forgot “The Who”.


36 posted on 07/18/2026 7:21:39 PM PDT by Texas resident ( We finally have an American President again)
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To: fso301

I went to see The Eagles a while back.
When they played Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way”, it was awesome. He is very old, but can still rock it.


37 posted on 07/18/2026 7:22:48 PM PDT by Texas resident ( We finally have an American President again)
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To: dfwgator; DoodleBob
> And replacing Malcolm was not easy either, he really was the engine of the band.

The YouTube vids of AC/DC that pull Malcolm's rhythm guitar track front and center are amazing. I've played lead most of my life in numerous bands, and Robben Ford is one of my heroes, but I read an interview with him in which he stated that playing lead guitar was easy compared to playing rhythm guitar properly, and that he was always happy to play rhythm "behind" another lead player. It changed my perspective completely and I found I agreed. Listening to Malcolm's tracks cemented that opinion.

38 posted on 07/18/2026 9:43:04 PM PDT by dayglored (This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24)
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To: Texas resident

Joe Walsh is the only reason to see The Eagles.


39 posted on 07/18/2026 9:46:52 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: dfwgator

“At The Station” is my no. 1 favorite of Joe’s and that’s without The Eagles.


40 posted on 07/19/2026 4:16:44 AM PDT by equaviator (Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
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