Claim: AC/DC are a rock band.

Brian Francis Johnson -LRB- born 5 October 1947 -RRB- is an English singer and songwriter . In 1980 , he became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band AC/DC after the death of their second lead singer Bon Scott . He and the rest of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 . In March 2016 , Johnson stepped down from touring on the Rock or Bust World Tour due to hearing problems . On 20 May 2016 , Johnson stated in an interview `` I 've had a pretty good run '' in AC/DC and implied that he might not be returning by saying `` I 'm just thankful , really , that I came out of it in one piece . ''   Johnson was one of the founding members of the rock band Geordie formed in Newcastle in 1971 . After a few hit singles , including UK Top 10 `` All Because of You '' -LRB- 1973 -RRB- , the band split up in 1978 . Following the death of AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott on 19 February 1980 , Johnson was asked to audition for the band in London . AC/DC lead guitarist and co-founder Angus Young recalled : `` I remember Bon playing me Little Richard , and then telling me the story of when he saw Brian singing -LSB- with Geordie -RSB- . '' He says about that night : `` There 's this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs and then the next thing you know he hits the deck . He 's on the floor , rolling around and screaming . I thought it was great , and then to top it off you could n't get a better encore they came in and wheeled the guy off ! ' '' Johnson was diagnosed with appendicitis later that night , which was the cause of his writhing around on stage . The band agreed immediately that Johnson 's performing style fit AC/DC 's music . Johnson 's first album with AC/DC , Back in Black , became the second all-time best-selling album worldwide according to some estimates .   A native of Tyneside , northeast England , Johnson is known for his strong Geordie accent . In July 2014 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Northumbria University in his home city Newcastle in recognition of his significant contribution to the music industry .