Few rock fans will forget the news in 2016 that AC/DC’s Brian Johnson was stepping away mid-tour because of a real risk of total hearing loss. That diagnosis — the darkest day of his professional life, he later called it — eventually led to treatment that let him return for the band’s 2020 album Power Up and subsequent tours.
Born: 5 October 1947, Dunston, England · Role in AC/DC: Third lead singer (since 1980) · Net worth (estimated): $30–40 million · Hearing loss diagnosis: Partial hearing loss due to tinnitus and noise exposure · Years active: 1970–present
Quick snapshot
- Johnson left AC/DC’s 2016 tour because doctors warned he risked total hearing loss (Los Angeles Times (music news))
- He returned for the 2020 album Power Up and later touring (Los Angeles Times)
- He now uses in-ear monitors and a bone-conduction hearing device (OTC Hearing (hearing-health provider))
- Bryan Johnson (anti-aging entrepreneur) is a completely different person — no relation (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Exact percentage of hearing loss in each ear — not publicly verified (Los Angeles Times)
- Whether Johnson will tour again after the current Power Up run ends (94.7 WCSX (radio report))
- Exact net worth figure — estimates vary widely (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- AC/DC reportedly planning 2025 tour legs (94.7 WCSX)
- Johnson likely to continue using bone-conduction implant and custom monitors (OTC Hearing (hearing-health provider))
- No public statement on retirement — career remains active (Wikipedia)
The table below summarizes Brian Johnson’s verified biographical details from authoritative sources.
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Francis Johnson | Wikipedia (biographical reference) |
| Date of birth | 5 October 1947 | Wikipedia |
| Place of birth | Dunston, Gateshead, England | Wikipedia |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter | Wikipedia |
| Years active (AC/DC) | 1980–present (hiatus 2016–2018) | Los Angeles Times (music news) |
| Notable albums | Back in Black, For Those About to Rock, Power Up | Wikipedia |
What happened with Brian Johnson?
Why did AC/DC get rid of Brian Johnson in 2016?
In April 2016, AC/DC announced that Johnson would leave the Rock or Bust World Tour because of serious hearing issues. Doctors told him that continuing to perform live risked total hearing loss. Johnson later described that day as “the darkest day of my professional life,” according to the Los Angeles Times (reputable news outlet). The band brought in Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose to finish the tour.
Did Brian Johnson return to AC/DC?
Yes. After a nearly three-year break, Johnson returned to the studio with AC/DC to record Power Up, released in 2020. The album marked his full comeback, and the band embarked on a supporting tour that began in 2023 and continues into 2025. Johnson stated he never thought he’d be back, calling it emotional when he first heard the new songs (Los Angeles Times).
Johnson’s departure was a medical necessity, not a firing. His return proves that hearing loss, when caught early and treated aggressively, does not have to end a career — even a career on arena stages.
The implication: Johnson’s hearing crisis did not end his career — it forced a smarter approach to performing.
Why does Brian Johnson have hearing loss?
How did Brian Johnson damage his hearing?
Johnson has said his hearing problems did not come from 36 years with AC/DC. Instead, he attributes the damage to a car-racing incident where he forgot earplugs, resulting in a punctured left eardrum (Wikipedia (biographical reference)). The injury led to tinnitus — a constant ringing — and partial hearing loss that worsened with cumulative noise exposure.
What is tinnitus and how does it affect musicians?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound — often ringing, buzzing, or roaring — without an external source. For musicians like Johnson, exposure to amplified sound over decades can exacerbate the condition. By 2016, Johnson’s audiologist warned him that performing live would lead to complete deafness (Los Angeles Times (music news)). He now uses a bone-anchored hearing device that picks up sound through the skull, plus custom in-ear monitors on stage (OTC Hearing (hearing-health provider)).
An estimated 50% of professional musicians suffer from noise-induced hearing loss, according to a report from Berkeley Hearing (audiology clinic). Johnson’s case shows that even a partial loss can be managed — but only with early diagnosis and strict protection.
The pattern: Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment allowed Johnson to continue performing at the highest level.
How old is Brian Johnson and what is his net worth?
Brian Johnson net worth
Estimates place Johnson’s net worth between $30 million and $40 million, accumulated from decades of album sales, touring, and royalties. Exact figures are not publicly audited, but he is considered one of the less wealthy AC/DC members (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Brian Johnson height
Johnson stands 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall — a detail often requested by fans who compare him to the more diminutive Angus Young (Wikipedia).
Brian Johnson young photos
Johnson began his music career in the early 1970s as lead singer of the British glam-rock band Geordie. Photos from that era show him with long hair and a different vocal style before he brought his grittier voice to AC/DC in 1980 (Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Johnson is 77 years old (born 5 October 1947), worth roughly $30–40 million, and still physically active enough to front one of rock’s loudest bands.
What songs does Brian Johnson refuse to sing?
Which AC/DC song does the band refuse to play?
Johnson has stated he dislikes singing “Whole Lotta Rosie” because the high vocal strain is difficult to maintain live. The band also rarely plays “The Jack” — a long, slow blues track that doesn’t fit the high-energy setlist. Fan forums often cite “Rock or Bust” and “Play Ball” as weaker songs in the catalog (Wikipedia (song discography)).
What is AC/DC’s worst song?
Critics and fans debate this internally, but “Rock or Bust” (the title track from the 2014 album) has drawn criticism for repetitive lyrics and a simpler riff compared to classic hits. Johnson himself has not publicly named a “worst” song, but his avoidance of “Whole Lotta Rosie” gives a strong hint (Wikipedia (song entry)).
Johnson’s vocal limitations are a direct consequence of his hearing loss — without real-time audio feedback, it’s harder to control pitch and volume on demanding songs. The band adapts by shortening sets and choosing songs that stay in his comfortable range.
The catch: Hearing loss indirectly shapes AC/DC’s setlists, as Johnson’s vocal range is affected by his inability to hear full audio feedback.
Who is the billionaire trying to live forever?
What is Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint project?
Bryan Johnson, an American entrepreneur born in 1977, spends millions annually on anti-aging treatments through his “Blueprint” protocol — a strict regimen of diet, supplements, and medical procedures designed to reverse biological age. His goal is radical longevity (Wikipedia (entrepreneur reference)).
How is Bryan Johnson different from Brian Johnson?
The two share a similar first name and public visibility, but Brian Johnson is the rock singer of AC/DC (born 1947), while Bryan Johnson is the tech founder behind Braintree and Kernel. They are not related. Searches for “billionaire trying to live forever” often accidentally pull up the AC/DC singer (Wikipedia (entrepreneur reference)).
Is hearing loss common among musicians?
8 Famous musicians with hearing loss or tinnitus
- Eric Clapton — suffers from tinnitus and partial hearing loss after years of loud guitar playing.
- Phil Collins — severe hearing loss forced him to retire from touring in 2010.
- Ozzy Osbourne — tinnitus and hearing damage from decades on stage.
- Neil Young — has tinnitus and uses hearing aids on tour.
- Chris Martin — Coldplay frontman has partial hearing loss in one ear.
- Louis Tomlinson — One Direction singer is partially deaf in one ear due to a childhood ear infection (Hearing Loss Association (patient support)).
- Will.i.am — suffers from tinnitus after years of loud production.
- Dave Grohl — has reported hearing damage and uses custom earplugs.
Is Louis Tomlinson partially deaf?
Yes. Louis Tomlinson has spoken about his partial hearing loss in his left ear, caused by a childhood ear infection. He wears a hearing aid during performances but stated it hasn’t hindered his career (Hearing Loss Association).
Bottom line: Noise-induced hearing loss affects up to 50% of professional musicians. Johnson is one of the most visible cases, but he’s far from alone. The pattern is clear: early protection is the only reliable defense.
Upsides of Johnson’s hearing management
- Successful return to touring after a near-career-ending diagnosis (Los Angeles Times)
- Adoption of advanced bone-conduction hearing technology (OTC Hearing)
- Openness about the condition helps destigmatize hearing loss for fans and fellow musicians
- Proved that a partial hearing loss doesn’t have to mean the end of a music career
Downsides of Johnson’s hearing management
- Permanent tinnitus and partial loss in left ear (Wikipedia)
- Setlist limitations: avoids certain high-range songs like “Whole Lotta Rosie” (Wikipedia)
- Reliance on expensive, custom-fitted hearing devices that may not be accessible to average musicians
- Ongoing uncertainty about long-term hearing stability and future touring viability
What this means: Johnson’s experience is a high-profile example of a widespread occupational hazard in the music industry.
Timeline of Brian Johnson’s career and hearing loss
- 5 October 1947: Brian Johnson born in Dunston, England (Wikipedia)
- 1970s: Lead singer of Geordie (Wikipedia)
- 1980: Auditioned for AC/DC after Bon Scott’s death; becomes third lead singer, records Back in Black (Wikipedia)
- 2016: Forced to stop touring mid-Rock or Bust tour due to risk of total hearing loss; Axl Rose fills in (Los Angeles Times)
- 2018: Returns to AC/DC to work on new material (Los Angeles Times)
- 2020: Power Up released; Johnson on lead vocals (Los Angeles Times)
- 2024: AC/DC continues Power Up tour; Johnson uses advanced hearing protection and a bone-conduction implant (94.7 WCSX)
Clarity check: What’s confirmed vs. what’s still debated
What’s clear
- Johnson left the 2016 tour due to hearing loss risk (Los Angeles Times)
- He returned for Power Up and subsequent touring (Los Angeles Times)
- He uses a bone-conduction hearing device and custom monitors (OTC Hearing)
- Bryan Johnson (entrepreneur) is a different person (Wikipedia)
What’s still debated
- Exact percentage of hearing loss in each ear — not publicly verified (Los Angeles Times)
- Whether Johnson will tour beyond the current cycle (94.7 WCSX)
- Exact net worth figure ($30–40 million is an estimate) (Wikipedia)
- Whether the punctured eardrum from racing or decades of stage volume was the primary cause — Johnson himself points to the racecar incident (Wikipedia)
“The doctor said I would be completely deaf if I carried on.”
Brian Johnson, from his autobiography The Lives of Brian (Los Angeles Times)
Johnson later said in a 2020 interview that he never expected to return to the band and became emotional when he first heard the new songs for Power Up (Los Angeles Times).
For aging rock musicians and their fans, Johnson’s story is a reminder: hearing loss doesn’t have to end a career, but it requires absolute vigilance. For Johnson himself, the choice is clear: keep playing with the right protection, or risk silence.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Brian Johnson deaf now?
No. He has partial hearing loss and tinnitus, but he is not completely deaf. He uses a bone-anchored hearing device and in-ear monitors to perform.
How much hearing did Brian Johnson lose?
Johnson has not publicly disclosed exact decibel loss, but he has said his left ear was punctured in a racing accident and that he experiences constant tinnitus. The 2016 medical warning cited risk of total loss if he continued touring unprotected.
Does Brian Johnson wear hearing aids?
Yes. He wears a bone-conduction hearing aid that transmits sound through the skull, which he has described as looking “like a car battery.”
Who replaced Brian Johnson in AC/DC?
During the 2016 Rock or Bust tour, Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses filled in. Johnson later returned for Power Up in 2020 and remains the lead singer.
How old was Brian Johnson when he joined AC/DC?
He was 32 years old when he auditioned and recorded Back in Black in 1980.
What is Brian Johnson doing now?
He is currently touring with AC/DC on the Power Up tour, living in Florida, and pursuing his passion for car racing.
Is AC/DC still touring with Brian Johnson?
Yes. As of 2025, AC/DC continues to tour with Johnson on lead vocals.
What car does Brian Johnson race?
Johnson races a replica 1970 Ford Escort RS1600 and has competed in historic rally events.
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Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.