Brian Johnson back with AC/DC

Published on 13 April 2026 at 06:00

"From Hearing Loss to Stadium Roars: The Story of Johnson’s 2025–26 Comeback"

( Special Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines

For decades, Brian Johnson wasn’t just the singer of AC/DC, he was the sound of the band. Ever since he stepped in after Bon Scott passed away in 1980, his loud, raspy voice helped power some of the biggest rock songs ever recorded. Everything seemed unstoppable… until 2016.

In the middle of a huge world tour, something went wrong. Brian started having serious hearing problems. It wasn’t just ringing ears, it got so bad that doctors warned him: If you keep performing, you could go completely deaf. That was it. Just like that, he had to step away from the band he’d been fronting for over 35 years. Fans were shocked. The band still had shows to play, so they brought in Axl Rose to finish the tour. But for many people, it didn’t feel the same without Brian. It honestly looked like his time with AC/DC might be over.

While the world moved on, Brian didn’t give up. Behind the scenes, he worked with audio experts and scientists, trying to find a way to perform again without destroying his hearing. It wasn’t quick or easy, it took years. Eventually, new technology, special in-ear monitoring systems, gave him hope. He could hear the music clearly again… without damaging his ears.

Then, around 2020, something big happened. AC/DC released a new album called Power Up… and Brian Johnson was back on vocals. For fans, it was like hearing an old friend again after thinking they were gone for good. But there was still one big question: Could he still perform live? That answer came in 2023, when AC/DC played a major festival called Power Trip Festival. Brian walked out on stage, grabbed the mic, and started singing like he never left. And just like that, he was back. Not just recording… but performing.

By 2024 and 2025, AC/DC took it even further. They launched the Power Up Tour, playing huge stadiums across Europe and North America. Brian was right there in the center of it all, singing night after night. For the first time in nearly a decade, fans in the U.S. got to see him live again. And the reaction? People loved it. Sure, his voice has aged a bit (he’s in his 70s now), but the energy, the attitude, and that unmistakable sound are still there.

This isn’t just a normal return. Brian Johnson: Came back from a condition that usually ends careers, Refused to give up on performing, Found a way to adapt instead of quitting and Returned to one of the biggest rock bands in the world. And most importantly, he proved he still belongs there.

As of today, Brian Johnson is fully back with AC/DC. He’s: recording music, touring internationally and performing in front of massive crowds again. What once looked like the end of his career turned into one of rock’s best comeback stories. Brian Johnson didn’t just return, he fought his way back. And now, when AC/DC hits the stage and that first song kicks in, it’s his voice leading the charge… just like it always did.

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