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AC/DC singer Brian Johnson says he's not retiring after being replaced by Axl Rose

New York -Veteran AC/DC singer Brian Johnson vowed on Tuesday that his music career was not over after his increasingly serious hearing problems led the band to replace him with Axl Rose.

In his first public remarks since his removal last month, the 68-year-old singer confirmed that he had been told by doctors that he risked total deafness if he maintained his tour with the famously high-decibel Australian rockers.

"I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before," Johnson, whose distinctively punishing vocal style has helped define AC/DC since 1980, said in a statement.

But Johnson said that he was undergoing medical treatment and hoped eventually to return to performing live.

"I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that," he said.

Johnson said that he had become acutely aware of his hearing problems as he was struggling to hear guitars on stage, interfering with his singing.

US radio host Jim Breuer earlier said he spoke to Johnson and that the singer felt "kicked to the curb" by the band for so swiftly parting ways with him.

AC/DC on Saturday announced that Rose - the Guns N' Roses frontman known, like Johnson, for his intense voice but with a wider range - would be its new singer for remaining tour dates in Europe and the United States.

Soon after the announcement, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young joined a reunited Guns N' Roses as a surprise at the Coachella music festival where they performed together one of AC/DC's best-known songs, the fast-paced Whole Lotta Rosie.

Johnson was not an original member of AC/DC, joining after previous singer Bon Scott died in 1980 after a night of heavy drinking.

AC/DC's first release with Johnson, Back in Black, remains one of the top-selling albums of all time.

"Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can't deliver that level of performance, I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC," Johnson said.

Read Johnson's full statement below:

As many AC/DC fans know, the remaining shows for the 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour, including 10 postponed U.S. shows, are being rescheduled with a guest singer.  I want personally to explain the reason because I don’t believe the earlier press releases sufficiently set out what I wanted to say to our fans or the way in which I thought it should be presented.

On March 7th, after a series of examinations by leading physicians in the field of hearing loss, I was advised that if I continue to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness. While I was horrified at the reality of the news that day, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage.

I was having difficulty hearing the guitars on stage and because I was not able to hear the other musicians clearly, I feared the quality of my performance could be compromised. In all honesty this was something I could not in good conscience allow. Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I can’t deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC.  I am not a quitter and I like to finish what I start, nevertheless, the doctors made it clear to me and my bandmates that I had no choice but to stop performing on stage for the remaining shows and possibly beyond. That was the darkest day of my professional life.

Since that day, I have had several consultations with my doctors and it appears that, for the near future, I will be unable to perform on stage at arena and stadium size venues where the sound levels are beyond my current tolerance, without the risk of substantial hearing loss and possibly total deafness. Until that time, I tried as best as I could to continue despite the pain and hearing loss but it all became too much to bear and too much to risk.

I am personally crushed by this development more than anyone could ever imagine. The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before. Being part of AC/DC, making records and performing for the millions of devoted fans this past 36 years has been my life’s work.  I cannot imagine going forward without being part of that, but for now I have no choice. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.

Most importantly, I feel terrible having to disappoint the fans who bought tickets for the cancelled shows and who have steadfastly supported me and AC/DC these many years. Words cannot express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks not just for the recent outpouring to me personally of kind words and good wishes, but also for the years of loyal support of AC/DC.  My thanks also go to Angus and Cliff for their support.

Finally, I wish to assure our fans that I am not retiring. My doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that. For the moment, my entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.

Once again, my sincere best wishes and thanks to everyone for their support and understanding.

Love,
Brian

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