Could AC/DC's September 20 concert in Philadelphia, which brings to a close the band's Rock or Bust tour, actually be the legendary rock group's farewell show? AC/DC's founding lead guitarist Angus Young says he isn't sure.
"At this point, I don't know," Young tells Rolling Stone when asked what his plans might be after the current trek. "We were committed to finishing the tour. Who knows what I'll feel after?"
Angus discussed a variety of topics with the magazine, including the condition of his older brother and longtime band mate, Malcolm Young; how Axl Rose has been doing as a replacement for frontman Brian Johnson; and longtime bassist Cliff Williams' decision to retire from the band following the current tour.
With regard to Malcolm, who had to retire from AC/DC because of dementia, Angus reveals, "It's hard to communicate," adding, "I do pass on messages. I can't be 100 percent sure it goes in there. But I let him know there are a lot of people missing him."
As for Axl, who began performing with AC/DC in May after Johnson was sidelined with major hearing-loss issues, Angus says, "He's been really good. He prepares himself, ready to go. We sit and chew the fat before we get on, work out what songs we want to do."
Young says Johnson's hearing was giving him trouble while the band was rehearsing for the tour kickoff shows at the 2015 Coachella festival and just kept getting worse.
Young also explained that Williams, who joined AC/DC in 1977, "made it known before we'd even started touring [that] this would be his last."
Asked whether he'd like to collaborate with any other musicians if AC/DC calls it quits, Angus says, "I'd sit down with Keith Richards...He's a rhythm guy like [Malcolm]."