AC/DC’s Brian Johnson Releases Statement On His Hearing Condition

AC/DC has been a nexus of controversy over the past month as Brian Johnson has been replaced by Axl Rose as the band’s lead singer for its upcoming Rock or Bust tour. Johnson supposedly left the band due to hearing loss, but further reports claimed that Johnson’s actual hearing damage was being overstated and that his departure was more of a coup. Today, he released a statement that will hopefully clear things up.

First and foremost, Johnson confirmed the severity of his hearing loss as the reason for his leaving AC/DC’s tour, writing that not only did he risk total deafness by continuing to perform, but his existing deficiencies were already interfering with his ability to hear the guitars and deliver quality concerts. “The doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond,” the singer said. “That was the darkest day of my professional life.”

After apologizing for AC/DC’s canceled shows and thanking the fans and his bandmates for their continued support, though, Johnson went on to state that he isn’t retiring. “My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that,” he wrote. “For the moment, 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.”