Axl Rose to sit in with AC/DC for 10 shows: reports
It looks like Axl Rose is going to have a very busy April.
While Rose and former Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan are gearing up for a run of reunion shows -- including a high-profile slot at this year's Coachella music festival -- the singer is reportedly also going to be sitting in for AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson for part of the Australian rock band's current world tour.
Atlanta DJ Jason Bailey reported Tuesday that sources had confirmed earlier reports by Alternative Nation about Rose stepping in for the ailing Johnson for a stretch of concerts.
"This is what I'm being told: Axl was meeting with the AC/DC group because it's all but a done deal that Axl will front AC/DC for the 10 remaining shows. All 10, including Atlanta," Bailey said. "They're in town, they were auditioning people for the job, and then they flew Axl in. Again, this is from my source."
Rose was in fact spotted outside an Atlanta hotel, where he posed for a photograph with a fan.
A spokesman for the band responded to the reports Thursday, telling NME, "Nothing official to announce. Will update you if that changes."
Johnson had recently been instructed by his doctors to stop touring immediately or risk permanent hearing loss. For his part, the singer is not pleased with the reports and feels like he's been "kicked to the curb," according to comedian and friend Jim Brewer.