AC/DC fans offered earliest Brian Johnson recordings

brian johnson

Some of the earliest recordings made by AC/DC’s Brian Johnson are to be released for the first time on a limited-edition basis.

The three tracks were laid down in 1971 when he was a member of The Jasper Hart Band, before he went on to front Geordie, where he stayed until joining AC/DC in 1980.

Jasper Hart Band guitarist Ken Brown recently discovered the original tapes, and he’s gearing up to release them for the AC/DC “anorak” or “memorabilia fanatic.”

Brown says: “You may be surprised to learn that Brian was not always a rock singer, but a very good ‘middle of the road’ chanter.

“In the late 60s and early 70s, Brian was a member of the Gobi Desert Kanoo Klub and The Jasper Hart Band, who played in the North East of England with reasonable success.

“In 1971 the Jasper Hart band recorded three original tracks with a view to becoming ‘pop stars.’ Snippets of these tracks have generated some interest with AC/DC fans. I’ve been asked if the complete recordings are available.”

He’ll only release Down By The River, I Want To Be Around and Overload if he receives a sufficient amount of orders. Those interested can email kennyfbrown123@gmail.com

Brown adds: “Don’t miss this chance to own a piece of music history – it’s going to be a very limited edition.”

Johnson is currently working with experimental technology to address the hearing issues that forced him to end his live career in March. AC/DC hired Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose to stand in for him, with the future of the band undecided.

Axl Rose didn’t speak to Brian Johnson before fronting AC/DC

AC/DC Rock Or Bust US dates 2016

Aug 27: Greensboro Coliseum, NC
Aug 30: Ft Lauderdale BB&T Center, FL
Sep 01: Atlanta Phillips Arena, GA
Sep 04: Columbus Nationwide Arena, OH
Sep 06: Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, OH
Sep 09: Detroit The Palace, MI
Sep 11: Buffalo First Niagara Center, NY
Sep 14: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Sep 17: Washington Verizon Center, DC
Sep 20: Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center, PA

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.