(A Five of Five Star Read)
*****

I suppose I should first declare myself a fan of AC/DC – not of the massively fanatical, know-the-band-members’-shoe-sizes type, but I do have five albums in my collection.

That wasn’t the reason I bought this book though. I was first attracted to it by the author himself. You see, more than AC/DC, I was a fan of Geordie, back in the day. (In case you’re not up on either AC/DC or Glam Rock history, Geordie were the band in which author Brian Johnson first made his name.

Brian Johnson always came across the the ‘young me’ as a thoroughly nice bloke. There seemed no airs or graces about him; one of the lads, you know?

The feeling has definitely been reinforced with this book.

Maybe I was drawn in a bit by the fact my wife, Diane, is from the same neck of the woods as Brian. She even went to the same Primary school for a while, albeit several years later. And I’ve also frequented some of the Social Clubs he’d play in with his pre-Geordie bands; I know the area where he grew up.

So I could relate to this book on several levels.

I won’t give anything away, but will say this is one of the most enjoyable autobiographies / biographies I’ve read. It’s written in such a ‘friendly’ conversational manner, and Brian’s sense of humour, often self-deprecating and dry, shines through every chapter.

I kind of knew the outline details, of course, but I found myself genuinely feeling pleased for Brian when good things happened. And of course, when he landed the AC/DC gig, I could almost feel his excitement.

One other point of note, is the respect and genuine love he has for all his band mates, from AC/DC ‘down.’ Not only that, but in three hundred and fifty-two pages, I can recall only once where he speaks ill of anyone … and they damned well deserved it too! Come on – Brian Johnson has been involved in the business of Rock ‘n’ Roll for over fifty years – there must be plenty people he could ‘dish the dirt’ on. But I just don’t think that’s in his nature.

Unless …. I’m sure there will be a follow-up book as this one doesn’t delve much into his time with AC/DC other than recording the infamous ‘Back in Black’ album.

Me? I can’t wait!

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