Brian Johnson says AC/DC's new album is done! That's the good news. The bad news is that it is set for release in early 2015, not this year as we had thought.
While accepting an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University near his home town of Newcastle, England, this week, Johnson shed a little light on the project, saying "We`re done. I'm very excited, and we've got some great songs."
Johnson confirmed that ailing guitarist Malcom Young's spot was filled by his nephew, Steve Young, calling the younger Young "magnificent, but when you're recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn't well, it's difficult. We miss Malcolm, obviously."
Johnson said Young is currently "in hospital, but he's a fighter. We've got our fingers crossed that he'll get strong again…I'm sure he's 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."
Malcolm Young is rumored to have suffered a severe stroke, but that's never been confirmed. Johnson said he proposed calling AC/DC's album "Man Down" "but it's a bit negative, and it was probably just straight from the heart." No title has been determined yet.
As for an AC/DC tour, Johnson hinted at shows beginning in the U.K. next summer.
-Spencer