Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander Says He’d Happily Sub as AC/DC Frontman
Robin Zander isn't sitting on his laurels now that Cheap Trick have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As the singer told Rolling Stone, he's ready for new challenges – like taking over as AC/DC's substitute frontman.
"I'd love to do that, but I'd want the blessing of Brian [Johnson]," he said. "I wouldn't go there as a slap in the face to him. But if he said, 'Go ahead,' I would do it. And I'd donate the money to somebody."
AC/DC suddenly postponed the remainder of their U.S. concerts in March, citing the risk of permanent hearing loss to Johnson, the band's singer since 1980. The initial announcement indicated that AC/DC intended to make up the dates with a replacement singer, setting off a wave of speculation. Much of the earliest focus has been on a rumor involving Axl Rose, who just kicked off a reunion tour with Guns N' Roses.
Some, like Anthrax's Scott Ian, have questioned whether AC/DC should go forward after losing their second lead singer. (Johnson replaced the late Bon Scott, and recorded the blockbuster Back in Black album with them.)
Zander doesn't agree with Ian. "They're AC/DC," he said. "People want to hear those songs. Sure, they want to hear them with Brian. But if Brian isn't there, they can get someone else. I don't know what else to say, but I know I'd be heartbroken if something happened to me and I couldn't sing in Cheap Trick."
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