WATCH: Foo Fighters cover AC/DC’s ‘Let There Be Rock’ with The Hives’ Pelle Almqvist
They performed the classic on stage in Sweden
Foo Fighters covered AC/DC’s seminal anthem ‘Let There Be Rock’ at an intimate gig in Sweden last night (14th September).
On the eve of the release of the release of their ninth studio album ‘Concrete and Gold’, Foo Fighters played a ‘secret’ show at Vasateatern in Stockholm in front of around 500 fans.
At the culmination of the 23-song set, Dave Grohl introduced The Hives frontman Pelle Almqvist on stage, saying: “The is how much I f***ing love this person and the band this person’s in. So, this person happens to be from this city so it’s nice to be reunited with him, it’s been a long time. I think he should come up and sing a song with us – would you please welcome from The Hives, Pelle Almqvist!”
After the crowd chanted Pelle’s name in audience, Dave added: “That’s the guy, you’ve got the perfect name for a chant too! So tonight I thought it would be a good idea if we played a song together, one that we’ve never played with them before but I think it makes perfect sense for this show.”
Teasing the audience, Dave launched into the opening guitar lines from Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway To Heaven’, saying: “I’ve always wanted to sing this song… actually that’s not the right song… the real song sounds like this.”
With Pelle taking on lead vocals, Foo Fighters then launched into a pounding rendition of AC/DC’s 1977 classic.
Watch footage of the entire performance here:
When Brian Johnson was ordered by doctors to quit touring or risk going deaf in March 2016, AC/DC aficionado Pelle offered his services for their upcoming touring commitments.
In an open letter on Facebook, Pelle wrote: “Very sad to hear Brian Johnson can't do a bunch of AC/DC shows due to health problems.
“That man is a legend. I would like offer my sincerest well wishes and get wells and also to put my foot forward and say: HERE I AM! I have many many years of experience rocking the world’s biggest stages and according to others I am the greatest frontman in rock, plus judging from the reaction in Australia your crowd already seems to really like me.
“Plus, I have already been singing those songs since I was 6 years old. So, #AC/DC please consider my application! Feel free to spread the word fans!”
AC/DC, of course, eventually recruited Axl Rose to their ranks for the final European and North American dates of the Rock or Bust World Tour.
Foo Fighters have performed ‘Let There Be Rock’ 25 times at live shows over the past few years including their dates at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in May 2015.