Brian Johnson's autobiography 'The Lives of Brian' finally gets release date

It's landing a year later than planned

AC/DC legend Brian Johnson
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 6th Sep 2022

AC/DC singer Brian Johnson’s long-awaited autobiography ‘The Lives of Brian’ finally has a release date.

Published in the UK by Penguin, ‘The Lives Of Brian’ is released on Thursday 13th October 2022 – almost a year later than originally planned.

Featuring 400 pages, the hardback, eBook and audiobook editions of ‘The Lives of Brian’ are available to pre-order from Penguin’s official website right now.

‘The Lives of Brian’ tells Johnson’s story from his upbringing in County Durham to his fledging career with Geordie to fronting one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, AC/DC.

Brian Johnson says of the book: “I’ve had some long nights and some great nights, bad days and a lot of good ones. I’ve gone from choirboy to rock ‘n’ roll singer, and now I’ve gone and written a bloody book about it…”

A description from Penguin reads: ‘Touching, personal, indomitable, but always laugh-out-loud funny, The Lives of Brian is the story of one of the world's best-loved performers, told in his own inimitable and unique voice. 'Nine lives, Cat's Eyes. Abusing every one of them, and running wild.'

Brian Johnson - 'The Lives of Brian'

Brian Johnson performed AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ and ‘Let There Be Rock’ at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday (3rd September) with Foo Fighters and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.

The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins took Johnson’s mic for the second verse of ‘Back In Black’, and yesterday (5th September) he released a statement explaining why.

“10 minutes before the AC/DC segment of the tribute, Brian Johnson asked me to come up and sing the second verse of ‘Back in Black’,” Hawkins wrote.

“I initially refused, I’ve never sung it before and I didn’t want it to seem like I was gatecrashing. However, Brian really was insistent and Dave Grohl told me that ‘if Brian tells you to do something, you f---ing do it.”

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

He added: “I had Rufus (Taylor) pull up the lyrics on his phone and I gave it a go, but in all honesty I think Brian just wanted to create a memorable spontaneous moment and have a laugh so he could really push on and smash the rest of his set.

“The stage manager scrambled to prepare a microphone for me, but I didn’t know which one I was supposed to take and I ended up having to steal Brian’s, which looked a bit awkward.

“Brian Johnson is an absolute legend and Dave was right, I couldn’t turn it down.”

60 incredible photos of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert:

Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The hardest working man on the night, Dave Grohl.

Liam Gallagher at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Accompanied by Foo Fighters, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher opened the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert with 'Rock N' Roll Star' and 'Live Forever.'

Pat Smear at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Music legend Nile Rodgers performed David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' with Omar Hakim, Chris Chaney and Josh Homme. Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes' performed vocals on 'Modern Love.'

Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Taylor Hawkins was a huge fan of David Bowie's music. Much of the evening was geared towards Hawkins' favourite artists and songs.

Gaz Coombes at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs with Nile Rodgers, Omar Hakim and Chris Chaney.

Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Chevy Metal opened their performance with a cover of 'Psycho Killer' by The Talking Heads.

Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Pop singer Kesha joined Chevy Metal for a cover of 'Children of the Revolution' by T.Rex.

Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Darkness' Justin Hawkins joined forces with The Coattail Riders for his first performance of the evening.

Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Justin Hawkins sang 'Range Rover Bitch' and 'It's Over' with The Coattail Riders.

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Alongside Justin Hawkins on vocals, Dave Grohl on bass and Josh Freese on drums, Wolfgang Halen performed covers of Van Halen's 'On Fire' and 'Hot For Teacher.'

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen with Dave Grohl.

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen with Justin Hawkins

Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen shreds with Justin Hawkins looking on.

Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Honouring one of Taylor Hawkins' favourite artists, Dave Grohl's teenage daughter Violet covered Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and 'Last Goodbye.'

Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Another of Taylor Hawkins' favourite bands, Supergrass performed 'Richard III', 'Alright' and 'Caught By The Fuzz'.

Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures – Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl - reunited after a decade away.

John Paul Jones at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures performed 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Gunman' and 'Long Slow Goodbye'

Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


The Pretenders at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Pretenders performed 'Precious', 'Tattooed Love Boys' and 'Brass In Pocket' with Dave Grohl.

Joe Walsh at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Joe Walsh and his reunited James Gang band mates performed 'Walk Away', 'The Bomber' and 'Funk #49', the latter featuring Dave Grohl.

Josh Homme and Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Them Crooked Vultures band mates Josh Homme and Dave Grohl backstage.

Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Together with Chris Chaney and Jason Falkner, Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson covered 'Valerie' by The Zutons.

Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Together with Foo Fighters and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Brian Johnson performed AC/DC's 'Back in Black' and 'Let There Be Rock.' Justin Hawkins also appeared on stage briefly.

Lars Ulrich at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich joined forces with Foo Fighters and Brian Johnson.

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Justin Hawkins

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Chris Shiflett

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Brian Johnson with Nate Mendel

Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Stewart Copeland at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Joined by Foo Fighters and Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, The Police's Stewart Copeland performed 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Next To You.'

Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

With Dave Grohl and Omar Hakim filling in for the late-great Neil Peart, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson arrived on stage to a hero's welcome.

Rush's Alex Lifeson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Rush performed '2112: Overture', 'Working Man' and 'YYZ'

Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Queen's Roger Taylor at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

With Luke Spiller, Roger Taylor, Justin Hawkins and Sam Ryder on vocal duties, Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor performed 'We Will Rock You', 'I'm In Love With My Car', 'Under Pressure' and 'Somebody To Love'

Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Dave Grohl performing with Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May, plus Rufus Taylor on drums.

Sam Ryder and Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder belts out 'Somebody To Love' with Queen.

Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

The Queen set ended with Brian May performing 'Love Of My Life' acoustically.

Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


The crowd during Queen


The crowd during Queen


Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Dave Grohl breaks down in tears during set opener 'Times Like These'

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

An emotional Dave Grohl during 'Times Like These'

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl

Nandi Bushell at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

12-year-old Nandi Bushell played drums on 'Learn to Fly' with Foo Fighters. The band were also joined by Josh Freese, Travis Barker, Rufus Taylor and Omar Hakim throughout the set. Taylor Hawkins' son Shane poignantly performed 'My Hero' in honour of his late dad.

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Foo Fighters were joined by surprise guest Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde for versions of The Beatles' 'Oh Darlin' and 'Helter Skelter'.

Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert


Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl and Pat Smear

Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Foo Fighters take the final bow after Dave Grohl's performance of 'Everlong'

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