Image Versus Sound: The legendary metal band Brian Johnson dismissed as “crap”
Despite what the music might suggest, the metal world is far from a carefree arena. While many metal songs boast a rebellious attitude, claiming not to care about reputations or opinions, when it comes to commenting on their peers, many metal musicians are surprisingly cautious and diplomatic. Others, however, are quick to jump at the chance to criticise. Where Brian Johnson falls on that spectrum is anyone’s guess.
As far as hard rock and metal auras go, AC/DC straddles a uniquely ambiguous line, embodying the rebellious, no-nonsense energy that both genres thrive on. Like his sense of humour, Johnson heightens this inexplicable nature by bringing an element of directness to the group. His gritty vocals and unapologetic demeanour also yield a rough-around-the-edges charm that perfectly complements their hard-hitting sound.
At the same time, Johnson adds a layer of intrigue by appearing humble and down-to-earth in many spaces. The contrast between his stage persona makes the hard rock and metal genres feel more positively performative and entertainment-based than perhaps those who monopolised the scene much earlier. For instance, long before being recruited for AC/DC, Johnson was performing in a band called Geordie while the members of the support band Fraternity were watching, a group that boasted Bon Scott at the time.
At one point, Johnson dropped to the floor and began flailing in agony from suffering an appendicitis flare-up. Scott, however, thought it was a part of the act and was elated, likely giddy from how much it reminded him of many of his earlier rock heroes. Of course, Johnson was really ill, but the memory of his performance stuck in Scott’s mind enough for him to bring it up to his later bandmates in a conversation about how much the rock scene was failing at its defining principle.
Scott immediately noticed what most do about Brian Johnson—his flamboyance—but he also recognised the depth beneath it. While it wasn’t quite what he first expected, Johnson lived up to the hype. Beyond his natural charisma, there was a sense of studiousness and thoughtfulness. Like his peers, Johnson was keenly aware of what was lacking in the genre and was determined to inject fresh energy back into it.
Unfortunately, some of his contemporaries did not have the same natural flare to reinstate metal’s explosiveness. For example, in the more rock-leaning space, Johnson despised songs like Starship’s ‘We Built This City’. Although many may claim this as not too difficult a feat, Johnson’s disdain came from a place of genuine artistic criticism and the belief that many players were perpetuating the industry’s shortcomings. At the time, he rarely witnessed a band that both looked great and performed great – often it was one or the other.
“Back in the mid-1980s, when there were horrible things like [Starship], that still makes me puke to this day,” he told Westword. “But anyway, we had a visit from one of the big boys who said, ‘Maybe ya should think about changin’ the image,'” he added, describing the moment they were urged to reinvent their aesthetic to remain relevant. The figure that approached them had recently “gotten a hold of” Judas Priest and “transformed them all into wearing leather,” he said, “But the album was crap!”
Johnson clearly dismissed the notion of revamping AC/DC’s image for the sake of appearances, believing the music should speak for itself. While image was undeniably an important part of AC/DC’s appeal, Johnson felt it was meaningless if the sound didn’t match the energy and excitement of their visual identity. His dedication to this belief might seem blunt or dismissive, but looking at his track record, it’s clear his opinions are rooted in genuine care for the industry and respect for those who work hard to maintain its integrity.
