AC/DC are one of the biggest bands of all time, but oh boy they’ve been through the mill in the last twelve months. Founding member and “heart and soul of the band” rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young quit the band due to ill health. Then drummer Phil Rudd ran into a spot of bother with the law, effectively ending his relationship with Melbourne’s finest.
Now, frontman Brian Johnson has been forced to exit the stage after doctors told him if he continued touring he’d almost certainly go deaf (although he’s apparently said he’s been kicked out – the controversy is still building at the time of writing). Nevertheless, its three down, two to go for Acca Dacca.
As a result the band has rescheduled a bunch of shows, saying that they will probably end up using a guest vocalist to complete touring commitments. And that gives us our topic for this week…
On Sunday’s Now Playing we want your examples of times when groups have substituted band members with other musicians, members of the public or indeed anyone from the world of entertainment. Those times when others have stepped up to fill in for an ailing singer, an out-of-favour drummer, a disgruntled guitarist or a dead bass player.
Think of how many times a band has rotated it’s line-up. You could go with St Vincent singing for Nirvana in 2014, Jason Bonham joining Led Zeppelin, Zak Starkey for The Who and in Oasis, Paul Rodgers & Queen, Joey Jordison in Metallica, Buckethead in Guns N' Roses (in fact nearly all of GN'R have been substitutes over the years).
Of course AC/DC’S Brian Johnson himself was a substitute singer - he replaced Bon Scott in 1980. In the world of pop and indie you have the revolving cast list of Sugababes (Freak Like Me is a belter), Bernard Butler being substituted from Suede, original Kaiser Chiefs drummer Nick Hodgson leaving the band. Dip into prog with Phil Collins replacing Peter Gabriel in Genesis, David Gilmour replacing Syd Barrett in Pink Floyd. Or go way back with Mick Taylor & Ronnie Wood replacing Brian Jones in the Stones.
You pick the music, so get your great singers-inspired suggestions to Tom via the hashtag #Substitute6Music to help create a playlist. Comment on the Now Playing Facebook page, here on the blog, email nowplaying@bbc.co.uk or drag tracks onto our Spotify playlist.
