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It's official: Axl Rose is joining AC/DC

Guns N' Roses frontman to replace Brian Johnson

It's official: Axl Rose is joining AC/DC

Well this is going to be terrible or amazing; either way it's going to be interesting.

After weeks of rumours, it's now been confirmed that none other than the famously tempetuous Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose will be replacing Brian Johnson as the new frontman of rock legends AC/DC.

He will fill in on vocals for the remainder of the band's Rock Or Bust world tour, which was suspended in March after Johnson was forced to retire after being warned by doctors that he faced total deafness if he performed again.

Rose has, of course, recently reunited with Slash and Duff McKagan - two members of the 'classic' Guns line-up - with the group headlining the Coachella festival last night where AC/DC guitarist Angus Young joined them to perform AC/DC classics Whole Lotta Rosie and Riff Raff.

Rose will now play with the Australian outfit on their upcoming European dates before rejoining Guns for their own 'Not In This Lifetime' North American tour. He will then join up again with AC/DC for their rescheduled North American shows later in the year.

A statement on the band's website said: "AC/DC band members would like to thank Brian Johnson for his contributions and dedication to the band throughout the years. We wish him all the best with his hearing issues and future ventures. As much as we want this tour to end as it started, we understand, respect and support Brian's decision to stop touring and save his hearing. We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment."

The announcement means that Angus Young will be the sole founding member of the band still standing. Original vocalist Bon Scott died from alcohol poisoning in 1980, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young had to leave in 2014 after the effects of dementia proved too great for him to continue, while drummer Phil Rudd was replaced after pleading guilty to drug charges and threatening to kill a former assistant.

They really are a proper rock band aren't they?

(Image: Rex)