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The Lives of Brian
- Author
- Brian Johnson
- Narrator
- Brian Johnson
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 13 October 2022
- Run Time
- 9 hours 46 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Autobiography: arts and entertainment, Memoirs, Musicians, singers, bands and groups, Popular music, Music industry
- Rating
- 5.0 (3 reviews)
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What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
'It wasn't me. I didn't do it. And I'll never do it again!' says Brian Johnson of The Lives of Brian. That AC/DC's legendary front man got to do it all is one of the most cheering and entertaining stories in rock 'n'roll history.
The son of a British army sergeant-major and Italian mother, Brian grew up in Dunston, Tyne and Wear, as it emerged from the shadow of the Second World War. Then he saw Little Richard on the BBC and it changed the course of his life.
The choirboy and cub scout was going to be singer.
For over a decade he tried to make his mark with a succession of bands. He appeared on to Top of the Pops, toured Australia and yet the big time looked out of reach. Then he was invited to London for an audition for one of the world's biggest rock acts. AC/DC were a band in crisis following the tragic death of their lead singer, Bon Scott, but with Brian on board they would record their masterpiece: Back in Black. It became the biggest selling rock album of all time. The tour that followed played to packed out arenas. Quickly embraced by the band's fans, the new boy had earned his spurs. But there was to be a twist in the tale. In 2016, Brian was forced to quit the band after being diagnosed with hearing loss, only to make a triumphant return to the band he loved with the release of 2020's smash hit album Power Up.
It's been a rollercoaster of a life, throughout which Brian's kept his feet firmly on the ground, never losing touch with his roots.
Warm, vivid, evocative, life-affirming and often laugh-out-loud funny, The Lives of Brian tells the story of one of our most well-loved performers in his own inimitable words.
© Brian Johnson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021
Critics Review
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Think Monty Python meets This Is Spinal Tap . . . Both a rollicking tale of rock's bygone glory days and a deeply human account of a working-class boy who never gave up. Told in Johnson's light, engaging prose, it's everything you want, and didn't know you wanted, from a rock-star memoir
Mail on Sunday
-
A story full of splits, triumphant returns and no shortage of outrageous incidents
Mail+
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A tale of fate, serendipity and dogged determination
Mojo
-
Johnson is a natural storyteller
Mail Online
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
Warm, starkly comic and uplifting ... The Lives of Brian is a literary twin of an AC/DC album - wild material woven together seamlessly, and always leaving you wanting more.
Hot Press
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
Absolutely amazing!!!
simon worlock 2025-08-04 -
5.0 5.0
A brilliant audiobook brought to life by Brian Johnson. Entertaining and funny and all in his broad Geordie accent!
Lots of surprises in this book! I never knew about the vinyl roof business... I had heard that you were hiring out sound and lighting gear when you got the call from Olga from the v o l g a !!
Sadly I never got to meet Malc. My bass player was good friends with him. I did meet his wife Linda and Ross a couple of times in England.
Thanks Brian and God bless you!Andy McPeak 2022-10-30
Details
- Author
- Brian Johnson
- Narrator
- Brian Johnson
- Duration
- 9 hours 46 minutes
- Release Date
- 13 October 2022
- ISBN
- 9781405946827
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Autobiography: arts and entertainment, Memoirs, Musicians, singers, bands and groups, Popular music, Music industry
- Rating
- 5.0(3 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(3 reviews)
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin. 'It wasn't me. I didn't do it. And I'll never do it again!' says Brian Johnson of The Lives of Brian. That AC/DC's legendary front man got to do it all is one of the most cheering and entertaining stories in rock 'n'roll history.The son of a British army sergeant-major and Italian mother, Brian grew up in Dunston, Tyne and Wear, as it emerged from the shadow of the Second World War. Then he saw Little Richard on the BBC and it changed the course of his life.The choirboy and cub scout was going to be singer.For over a decade he tried to make his mark with a succession of bands. He appeared on to Top of the Pops, toured Australia and yet the big time looked out of reach. Then he was invited to London for an audition for one of the world's biggest rock acts. AC/DC were a band in crisis following the tragic death of their lead singer, Bon Scott, but with Brian on board they would record their masterpiece: Back in Black. It became the biggest selling rock album of all time. The tour that followed played to packed out arenas. Quickly embraced by the band's fans, the new boy had earned his spurs. But there was to be a twist in the tale. In 2016, Brian was forced to quit the band after being diagnosed with hearing loss, only to make a triumphant return to the band he loved with the release of 2020's smash hit album Power Up.It's been a rollercoaster of a life, throughout which Brian's kept his feet firmly on the ground, never losing touch with his roots.Warm, vivid, evocative, life-affirming and often laugh-out-loud funny, The Lives of Brian tells the story of one of our most well-loved performers in his own inimitable words.© Brian Johnson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021
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