AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has lashed out at charity work done by Bono and Bob Geldof, saying they should do it in private. DO YOU AGREE?
In his only Australian interview, the outspoken singer said he and his Grammy-winning band prefer to help in private with no press conferences.
“I do it myself, I don’t tell everybody I’m doing it,” Johnson said.
“I don’t tell everybody they should give money – they can’t afford it.
“When I was a working man I didn’t want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa.
“I’m sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry. I become all tyrannical.”
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Johnson said AC/DC’s aversion to playing at charity events goes back to turning down a slot at 1985’s Live Aid.
“Bob Geldof is a canny lad. He did what he thought was right at the time but it didn’t work,” he said. “The money didn’t go to poor people. It makes me mad when people try to use politics or charity for publicity.
“Do a charity gig, fair enough, but not on worldwide television.”
With the band’s Australian tour – their first since 2001 – starting in Melbourne next week, Johnson also shot down reports that he was contemplating retirement.
“Of course I don’t want to retire,” he said. “But I’m telling you if the body or the voice packs in there’s nothing I can do. Pride is what it is. You don’t want to let yourself, the band or the fans down. I’ll go on as long as I can.
“Thankfully the old tubes have held up. They’ve got a little bluesier, that just happens with life. I’m 62 now and I know it. And I’ve got another birthday coming, which is a bit of a bugger but what better way to get old?”
