Las vidas de Brian

by Brian Johnson

Las memorias del cantante de AC/DC, que, tras un periplo vital alucinante y accidentado, sustituyó al trágicamente desaparecido Bon Scott al frente de uno de los grupos clave del rock duro para firmar "Back in Black": un hito del rock y el segundo disco más vendido de todos los tiempos. Brian Johnson nació en 1947 en Dunston, en la región de Newcastle, al nordeste de Inglaterra. Su padre fue militar y combatió en el norte de África durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial y su madre creció en el seno de una opulenta familia italiana. De muy joven, Brian se quedó prendado del rock cuando vio a Little Richard en televisión tocar «Tutti Frutti». Dotado de un potente chorro de voz, pronto empezó a destacar entre el coro de los boy scouts y no tardó en montar los primeros grupos de versiones. Mientras trabaja como delineante en una gran empresa de turbinas de vapor y pasa una temporada como paracaidista del Ejército, se pone al frente de Geordie, con los que consigue colocar un single en el Top 10, salir en el Top of the Pops y hacer giras por Europa y Australia… Sin embargo, la suerte del grupo se estancó y, tras una serie de álbumes fallidos, Brian Johnson se encontró en la ruina, separado, con dos hijas pequeñas y una amenaza de embargo. Pese a todo, superada la treintena y cuando parecía que el sueño del rock se esfumaba, fue convocado para un casting de AC/DC, que tras la trágica muerte de su cantante, Bon Scott, estaban en un impasse. Brian sorprendió a los hermanos Young con su potencia vocal y pericia con las letras, y lo enrolaron para grabar el que sería a la postre el mayor éxito del "Back in Black", grabado en las Bahamas y que incluye himnos como "Hells Bells" o "You Shook Me All Night Long", y que acabaría siendo el segundo disco más vendido de todos los tiempos. Narrado con humor y con una sensibilidad poco común entre la fraternidad del rock, "Las vidas de Brian" es un excepcional y emocionante testimonio de una de las grandes voces del rock.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

376 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

My word where to begin? I've had time on my hands over recent years, following early retirement, that I believe has been put to good use. My wife and I enjoy holidays, theatre and dining out, together I hasten to add; which I guess would keep most people content. Primarily though, I think I have been lucky to spend more time with my grandchildren than would otherwise have been possible.
I've been able to do some not very good watercolour pantings and some cooking which has turned out to be surprisingly edible.
As far as my writing is concerned; it was originally no more than a case of give it a try and see how it goes. The first chapter of my debut Captain Shoelace story was so well received by friends and family that I was encouraged to see it through to the end.
It seems that the book is appreciated by a wider audience than I anticipated. So much so in fact, another Shoelace story is in the pipeline. Whoever would have believed it!

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating is 4.5 stars.

This is the autobiography of Brian Johnson who is the lead singer of the band AC/DC. Be forewarned. This novel mostly deals with his life before him joining the iconic band.

I am not the biggest reader of non fiction novels but I enjoyed this so much. It was amusing, entertaining, and provided insight to the author's life all at once. The author told the story in a down to earth type of manner that allowed the reader to immediately connect with him. He seems like a really personable and engaging man. We have all heard about how it is a struggle to make it to the top. I enjoyed how the author details the many groups he was a member. At the same time he goes over of how he almost gave up on his dream because he wanted to do the right thing. The highlight was the author's self deprecating humor. The story alone of his becoming a member of AC/DC is terrific and fits in with his character. The only flaw is I agree with other reviewers on this site. I wanted more with his time with the band. This is why I deducted the half star because the cover does mislead in a way. That being said it really did not matter as I enjoyed the whole book.

I am a fan of the band so this was right up my alley for a non fiction book. That being said I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. There were times I had a difficult time putting it down. It was so engaging. He says he will write another novel about his time in the band. I for one cannot wait.

[Edgarr Alien Pooh · Rating 5 out of 5]

AC/DC AC/DC AC/DC

There you go I have said it, mainly for the ravenous AC/DC fans that may pick up this book purely because Johnson is the lead singer. If you want to read about the band, the albums, and the tours, then this isn't the book for you...... This is Brian Johnson from early childhood up until he joined the band. Yes, he discusses the writing and recording of the Back in Black album, just months after the death of Bon Scott, but that is where the book ends.

This is Brian's story growing up in Newcastle, Northern England. He talks about his family, his Father's efforts in the war, leaving school and searching for employment, first girlfriends, and a myriad of dead-end bands that he formed or joined in his early years.

There is quite a lot of insight about his time in the band Geordie. This is the band that he was singing out the front of when Bon Scott and Angus Young first saw him and some surprising stories about his own time in the military.

Remembering the world was not long out of the second world war when young Brian was born so like many stories of the day, Brian's childhood was a fairly dismal and depressing one. A real show of what it is like to never give up and follow your dreams.

The Back in Black album was released in 1980 and the subsequent tour went on for two years, although any fan can tell you that For Those About To Rock was released in the interim. So this book never really makes it passed 1982, although Brian has promised a second book based on his time as the frontman for AC/DC. The only look into recent times is in the prologue and epilogue where Brian talks about his hearing loss on the Rock or Bust tour that eventually led him to leave the band mid-tour and be replaced by Axl Rose (a horrifying choice, in my opinion).

A truly great autobiography, full of hard times and nostalgia. 5 stars from me just for the content, I will fan the fire by saying I have always thought Bon Scott was the better lyricist.

[Rafaey Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian has broken the mold. One of the best autobiographies I've ever read! His writing is compelling and hilarious (no ghostwriter here, he wrote it in longhand), and it's a gold mine of windows into his pre-fame life, all written so sincerely.

He could've been like some rockstars and written about limos and luxury, but nope. He chose to write about being a broke, failing musician, ending up supporting two kids while living with his parents at 32, and then--through sheer perseverance and luck--suddenly stumbling into making the second-best selling album in music history (it's still second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller).

He also details his recent hearing loss, as well as growing up in post-war England in the years of food rationing, when lettuce was a commodity and the only way to afford music equipment was to join the Army's parachute regiment and jump out of planes. The whole thing is funny but also heartfelt, which could come as a surprise from a singer not known for his nuance! As an AC/DC lover it's priceless, but non-fans would probably love it too.

[Hilary Mortz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Johnson is a Geordie national treasure. Reading the first volume of his memoirs brings back fond memories of the Newcastle music scene in the 60’s and 70’s and it’s like listening to a (slightly) older brother reminiscing about the good old days when a typical Friday night comprised of seeing some legendary rock band at the Mayfair or the City Hall for 50 pence then having enough left over from your pay packet to buy a pair of platform heeled boots and an Afghan coat the next day.

Brian’s stories are epic, but I got the feeling he was only scratching the surface and he’s got a lot more up his sleeve - ‘Lives of Brian’ unexpectedly stops when things start getting really interesting - at the point when he started touring with AC/DC, shortly after the seminal ‘Back in Black’ came out. Volume 2 is in the pipeline apparently, and I for one can’t wait, therefore only 4 Stars from me because I have been left wanting more.

Rock on Wor Brian, bonny lad! \m/

[Matt St-Onge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. It was a big surprise to see the first lines of the book, with Brian describing that 2015 concert in Edmonton, which I actually was attending! Very well written, honest, humble, and genuine. I hope to see more in the future!

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re going into this book thinking it’s going to be mostly about his time with AC/DC then you’ll be disappointed. It’s mostly about his family life until about the last 3 chapters, the Back in Black era. Many thanks to the publisher for this copy for review

[Verena Wachnitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook version read by Brian Johnson himself is fantastic. Vivid storytelling, highly entertaining. And an uplifting story of tenacity and determination.

[Bogdan Skaskiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Браян Джонсон є прикладом людини, котра все життя робила вибір в сторону музики, і доля йому за це сповна віддячила. Книга про непросте післявоєнне дитинство, цілеспрямованість, вибір на користь дій, а не очікування.

[Zornitsa Grozdeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ако трябва да съм честна, нямах намерение да чета тази книга, разгърнах я от любопитство, но попаднах на абзац, който ме накара да се разсмея с глас насред книжарницата и така се започна...

Историята ни връща в началото на 50-те години (което ме накара да се замисля за възрастта на Брайън Джонсън) и дава много добра обща картина за живота на острова в описания период - проблемите с намиране на работа след войната, недостиг на стоки от първа необходимост, отношение към чужденците, купонна система и т.н. Не е нещо, което липсва в историческите книги, но ми беше интересно как и доколко е повлияло на живота на обикновените хора. Хареса ми, че освен личната си история Джонсън разказва и за промените в мисленето на хората през годините.

Книгата е написана майсторски, ако не беше станал музикант, Брайън Джонсън вероятно щеше да е успешен писател. Искрено се възхитих на прекрасното му чувство за хумор, благодарение на което успява да превърне и най-трагичната ситуация в комична история. Може би точно това е качеството, което му помага да продължи напред и да не се откаже, докато не покори световните сцени, въпреки всички провали. Всъщност историята спира малко след като става член на AC/DC, но това не я прави по-малко интересна.

[Severyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Це була наче розмова з другом, з яким ти давно не бачився, і він тобі переказує все що з ним трапилось за цей час. А трапилось багато, бо твій "друг" народився в післявоєнній Англії, не цурався жодної роботи, яка випадала на його шляху, займався музикою в один з найяскравіших періодів її існування та врешті став вокалістом AC/DC.

[Mai M Ibrahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

الغلاف حلو 😌
اللي بيحبوا مزيكا الروك وخصوصًا فريق AC/DCهيبقى حابب يعرف اكتر عنهم خلال الكتاب
بس للاسف الكتاب كان ممل ف حتت لأنه مش بيتكلم عن الفرقة إلا ف اخر جزء من الكتاب والاجزاء الأولي كانت عن طفولته وأول فرقة كونها
ف ناس كاتبه ريفيوز أن ممكن يكون ف اجزاء تانيه للمراحل اللي بعد كده

القصة مفهاش معاناة أو يعني زي م الواحد متعود ف كتب السير الذاتية.. حياة إلي حد ما عادية مفهاش مشاغبات 😄😄

[Sophia Filipchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Який кайф❤️
Я в захваті від цих мемуарів. Купила брату на подарунок, і думала, що не буду читати, але вирішила переглянути кілька сторінок… прочитала практично за раз, з таким задоволенням, що тепер аж сумно, що закінчились сторінки)
Так сильно занурилась в історію, що на деякий час забула який зараз рік. Коротше - це любов! Особливо рекомендую читати під пісні, що згадуються в описах.
Єдине «але» - не зовсім вдале редагування тексту. В кількох реченнях були пропущені слова, і ще досить багато русизмів трапляється. Але неймовірне почуття гумору Браяна балансує навіть це)

[Kenneth Grytskog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeg er ekstremt bias når det kommer til verdens beste band - AC/DC.

Jeg har alltid hørt på AC/DC, men aldri lært særlig om historien. Denne boken fikk meg faktisk til å få frysninger og tørke litt tårer.

Bandet står enda høyere for meg etter dette!

[Rhonda Fonicello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and fascinating to learn how Brian went from his place in the lower rungs of the modern British caste system to the lead singer of AC/DC.

[Danceangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Це дуже хороша остання книга року.
Не здавайтесь.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great and pleasurable read. Brian's wit and trenchant way of expressing himself come shining through in this autobiography. For anyone who, like me, has a love and passion for AC/DC and their music, please do yourself a favor and read this outstanding book. At times hilariously funny, and at other times emotionally lugubrious, Mr. Johnson does not disappoint!

[LESLIE J (mrsj_readsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Audio for my complimentary audiobook and to Dey St and Harper Collins for the physical book.

I had no idea how entertaining and insightful The Lives of Brian was going to be when I requested a review copy. I laughed so many times while listening the stories of Brian’s early life. (My husband is only reading the physical copy and I do not think he will find the book as enjoyable) The best story is the mittens with elastic. Brian does an amazing job narrating the book.

I personally enjoyed the behind the scenes look into how Brian came to be in the band. It was an incredible turn of events that transpired and subsequently changed his entire life. Some may feel cheated at the absence of more information on the band. But this is Brian’s memoir and not the bands.

A must read for any fan of AC/DC and Brian. I am looking forward to a possible second part to his story.

Maybe I’ll carry my copy around with me when I’ll be in Sarasota next month. Be on the lookout Brian !!

[Сибин Майналовски · Rating 5 out of 5]

Велико четиво, задължително за всеки фен на хардрока, метъла и хубавата музика като цяло!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite book. It's hilarious, constantly interesting and I just couldn't put it down! Brian you are a bloody legend mate.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great

Let's be honest, Brian is clearly salt of the earth and I didn't need this book to tell me that, I've seen it through his performances but also through interviews at various junctures of his career.

However, anyone reading this is mainly of not wholly interested in Brian as lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands the world has seen.

Given, therefore that we are well over half way before Brian gets the Ac/dc gig, makes this a bit of an uneven read, at least as far as my eyes are concerned.

The first 80 pages or so, focus on his childhood and it is well told but unremarkable. It's not like the Flea biography where his childhood is mind bogglingly exciting.

Then things perk up a bit when Brian joins/forms Geordie and the rock dream starts, then turns into a nightmare.

I actually really liked the bit after Geordie where Brian has to live a normal life and he starts his own buisness, it gave a unique insight into how precarious Rock and roll is.

But it's the Ac/dc period which elevates this for me. Giving an insight into how it came about and how the band grew again with Brian on board. The chapters in the Bahamas being the highlight.

So overall, a mixed bag but the last third makes this book an enjoyable read.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a vague memory of Martin Scorsese saying something years ago along the lines of he wanted a good movie to take him out of his life and into someone else’s for a while (if anyone knows the exact quote please let me know). That’s what I want when I read a book—especially a memoir. With The Lives of Brian, Brian Johnson does exactly this, and succeeds fabulously. And he does so in a funny, interesting way, like you’re sitting next to him in a pub having a beer while he tells you the story of his life. He starts from the beginning, from before the beginning, actually; from how his parents met, his father fighting in WWII in Italy when he meets Brian’s mother. From there the story moves to Dunston in northern England near Newcastle, where Brian grows up in a real working class environment in post-WWII England. When a young Brian hears Little Richard for the first time, he knows what he wants to do for a living: be a singer. This memoir was such a joy to read, that as soon as I finished, I downloaded the audiobook version so I could hear him tell the story himself in his lovely Newcastle accent.

Be warned though, this is not an autobiography of being the lead singer of AC/DC. He doesn’t get that gig until three quarters of the way through the book. This is his story of grinding along through regular jobs and small-time bands before his big break comes. He does cover joining the band and working on Back In Black, though, and talks about his hearing problems much later on. I hope there will be a volume 2 to this memoir to fully cover the AC/DC parts.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about this book almost a year ago and waited for its release. As a fan of AC/DC and having seen them live, the story of how the only front man I knew for them was very compelling. Because I started listening to their music when Brian joined the band, he was all I had known. That said his glimpse into who they are and how they operate is refreshing after so many stories of fighting and squabbles over money and other things in bands.
I was disappointed that they story jumped from Back in Black to present day very quickly. That said Brian did suggest that the stories or 35 years on the road would be another book. I guess I’ll be waiting for that one too!

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a Newcastle lad who ends up as the frontman of one of the greatest rock n roll bands in history, AC/DC. Whilst I’m sure many people buy this book as fans, this book mainly focuses on Brian’s younger years, making his way through life and his early bands. Only at the very end does it touch on him joining AC/DC and the writing of the Back in Black album. He also focuses on his hearing loss. A great read and as he says, the AC/DC years deserve their own book. Hopefully that happens.

[Dave Woodcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant… Brian tells the story of his life in a way that no one else can. One of the best biographies I’ve ever read… a brilliant insight in to the man and talent that is Brian Johnson, from his working class background to his ‘unexpected’ appointment as lead singer with one of the biggest bands in the world. I’ve loved AC/DC all my life and this book is a fantastic window in to part of their story and a brilliant account of the ‘man in the cap’ - I can’t recommend this book enough.

[Ryan Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good biography about the voice behind Back in Black. Not a ton of books have been written about him so it was interesting to hear about his upbringing. However the reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It just covers up to the Back in Black Tour, missing about 42 years of life. He does leave an anecdote about writing another book, we'll see.

You like AC/DC read it, you enjoy the Back in Black album, read it, you like rock music, read it.

[Calvin Weatherall · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this memoir! Quite engaging and uproariously funny! Brian Johnson could have been a comedian. He was also down to earth and painfully real. He is genuinely grateful for the opportunity to replace Bon Scott as lead singer for AC/DC and his account made me love their music all the more! Excellent book.

[Tim Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography is very well written and flows nicely, with lots of interesting anecdotes to pave the way. There's nothing 'outrageous' here - Brian comes across as an utterly likeable, down-to-earth bloke from solid working-class stock and has no 'airs and graces'. If you bumped into him in a pub you'd buy him a 'bottle of dog' and have a good chat, I'm sure. A very satisfying autobiography.

[Cathal Kenneally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I really enjoyed reading this. Brian Johnson is such a down to earth person as well as a great storyteller. From a working class background singing in working men's clubs to the lead singer of a massive rock band.
He, himself describes as a dream come true and still sometimes pinches himself to make sure it's really happened

[Andreea Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story lived up to its title! A funny, insightful commentary on the events in Brian's life that lead him to being a professional rock singer. I was expecting to hear more about the band and life on tour which is why it lost a star but I absolutely recommend and really enjoyed this book. What a man!

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a fast machine,
It kept it's motor clean.
The best damn autobiography that I've ever seen.

Brian has lived many lives,
Telling me no lies.
A knock out memoir of a Geordie on the rise....

Yeah. I loved it. 🤟