One of the most talked-about stories in the music world right now is the seemingly looming addition of Axl Rose to the lineup of AC/DC. Whilst it hasn’t been confirmed by either party, it’s looking ever more likely Axl could be the band’s new frontman.
At least for the band’s current North American run, anyway. The legendary hard rock outfit’s US tour was interrupted by the departure of longtime frontman Brian Johnson, who’s currently battling hearing issues and was ordered by doctors to stop touring.
Rumours soon arose that Axl Rose was all but certain to front the group. Fans originally dismissed the reports as wild conjecture dreamed up by some Atlanta radio DJ, but photos soon surfaced showing Rose leaving the same rehearsal studio as the band.
The new evidence converted many fans into believers, though opinion is still deeply (and passionately) divided on whether or not Rose fronting another one of the world’s most iconic hard rock groups is, well, a good idea.
Either way, one thing is for certain: an AC/DC feat Axl Rose tour is going to be a huge money-maker. The issue is, so is the singer’s highly anticipated reunion dates with Guns N’ Roses, which are set to kick off later this month.
As the Observer notes, original GNR members Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan are each set to reap at least $5 million from the first leg of their reunion tour and a full North American tour could easily net them between $15 and $20 million each.
But as the Observer‘s Tim Sommer writes, Rose joining AC/DC could actually impact those earnings. Given the choice between spending hundreds on seeing GNR or hundreds seeing AC/DC with Rose on vocals, it’s doubtful fans will have the scratch to do both.
“Imagine: You and your wife decide to go to see AC/DC with Axl; once you go on StubHub and buy the tickets, pay for the parking, get some soda… and pay for a baby sitter for the younger kid who is staying at home, you’re spending, oh, $500 to $600, possibly more,” Sommer writes.
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“Throw in some shirts and programs and that number can easily go up to $750. Now, Guns’n’Roses come through town just a little while later (maybe just a week or two after the Axl/DC show): same math, but a significantly higher ticket price—you may be looking at $800 to $1,000 for the evening.”
Essentially, Sommer argues that if you’ve just spent some $600 to see Rose front AC/DC, you’re not as likely to spend just as much if not more on seeing him with GNR. Then again, maybe you’re less likely to see him with AC/DC because you’d rather catch Gunners.
Either way, someone’s bottom line is going to suffer and that’s gotta be a concern for both Rose and his bandmates, especially when everyone pretty much agrees they’re only getting back together for the money.
