During a recent appearance on the Life In The Stocks podcast, Duff McKagan discussed Axl Rose’s stint with AC/DC in 2016, highlighting the Guns N’ Roses frontman’s nervousness and excitement about the opportunity.
The bassist reflected on a watershed moment for Guns N’ Roses, citing Rose’s rise from a broken foot at the start of their 2016 stadium tour to a standout performance at Coachella. McKagan praised Rose’s singing ability, particularly while seated, which was made possible by his injury and facilitated by Dave Grohl’s loan of his throne-like chair.
Axl Rose’s Audition For His Favorite Band
Despite a successful career with Guns N’ Roses, Axl had never played with other bands, so his audition for AC/DC, his favourite band, was nerve-racking, as Duff explained:
“Me and [Guns N’ Roses guitarist] Slash have gone out and played with all kinds of people over the years—you name it, we’ve almost done it. [Axl] has never done it… And AC/DC was his favourite band. He went to try out [for the touring singer position in AC/DC]. ‘I’m going to try out.’ I’m like, ‘You won’t need to try out. I would not worry about it. And he said, ‘Wow. I’m really nervous. It was really fantastic. We knew—me and Slash—’You’re going to get the gig.'”
Surprising Support In London
He went on to reveal his attempt to surprise and support Rose during his first show with AC/DC in London:
“And it was very good for. And he still had the cast on [when he performed his first show with AC/DC]. I believe he had to play the first couple of shows from the chair. Then he got his walking boots. But then Slash and I went to surprise him [at an AC/DC concert in London]. We entered through—you can enter Heathrow [airport] without being seen. “You have to pay some money.”
AC/DC’s Influence On Axl Rose
McKagan noted that working with AC/DC taught Rose the value of punctuality and professionalism, as he revealed:
“But we came around to the side thing, so we weren’t in the airport, just so no one knew we were there, to surprise him and support him in this situation. We knew he couldn’t do this thing: play with other people. So I believe it was very helpful. I believe he saw how that [AC/DC] organisation was run as well, like, ‘Yeah, we can go on on time,’ and so on, because ‘They’ll go on — whether I’m ready or not, they’re gonna go on.'”
AC/DC’s decision to bring in Rose came after Brian Johnson lost his hearing, forcing the band to postpone a portion of their Rock Or Bust tour. Rose, along with Stevie Young, Chris Slade, Angus Young, and Cliff Williams, helped finish the tour as a guest vocalist.
