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The Lives of Brian

A Memoir

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The Lives of Brian

Written by: Brian Johnson
Narrated by: Brian Johnson
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About this listen

One of SPIN'S Best Music Memoirs of 2022!

Brian Johnson’s memoir from growing up in a small town to starting his own band to ultimately replacing Bon Scott, the lead singer of one of the world biggest rock acts, AC/DC. They would record their first album together, the iconic Back in Black, which would become the biggest selling rock album of all time.

Brian Johnson was born to a steelworker and WWII veteran father and an Italian mother, growing up in New Castle Upon Tyne, England, a working-class town. He was musically inclined and sang with the church choir. By the early ’70s he performed with the glam rock band Geordie, and they had a couple hits, but it was tough going. So tough that by 1976, they disbanded and Brian turned to a blue-collar life.

Then 1980 changed everything. Bon Scott, the lead singer and lyricist of the Australian rock band AC/DC died at 33. The band auditioned singers, among them Johnson, whom Scott himself had seen perform and raved about. Within days, Johnson was in a studio with the band, working with founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd, along with producer Mutt Lange.

When the album, Back in Black, was released in July—a mere three months after Johnson had joined the band—it exploded, going on to sell 50 million copies worldwide, and triggering a years-long worldwide tour. It has been declared “the biggest selling hard rock album ever made” and “the best-selling heavy-metal album in history.”

The band toured the world for a full year to support the album, changing the face of rock music—and Brian Johnson’s life—forever.

©2021 Brian Johnson (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about The Lives of Brian

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This book feels like meeting Brian at a bar

Brian Johnson is a living legend, but he spent the first half of his life as a regular working class guy. What an inspirational story. This is probably the most down to Earth and friendly autobiography I've ever listened to.

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10/10

This is my favourite audio book to date. The man is an excellent story teller but not only that…. It’s an excellent journey. I love this book

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An amazing Story!

Besides the ‘topic’ - I’m stating the obvious, AC/DC is one of the best bands EVER - Brian Johnson’s childhood, adolescence , his adulthood, his life IS fascinating, relatable and, dare I say it - honourable, lol. And HILARIOUS! Seriously laugh out loud funny! You will be so missing out on a fabulous read, better yet, a fabulous listen as Brian reads it himself.

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Love the accent! Great story fun life he had!

This kept me listening. What a story. His crazy youth in Post War England his life as a trying musician, all his jobs etc were fun to listen to. Lots of laughs and excitement! Then ACDC, that was where it got really good. But he didn't go into his fame and fortune it ended!! Guess a tell all about sex drugs and rock and roll is coming? Or is it too much, too embarrassing telling stories about groupies? So he skipped all that over 30 years of it! He thought "Who cares about my rock life? I'll give it a miss." but he did have to add "I'll tell them about my hearing loss like a good senior citizen. Doing my duty!"

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Wonderful

Great stories! This is a great book to listnen, thank you Mr.Johnson for sharing your amazing story!

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What a life !

All I can say is worth the listen Brian narrated this so well with such emotion !

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Amazing

Great stories, and fantastic narration. Brian delivers. I was sad when it was over. Always been a fan, bigger fan now. Favourite band!

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Loved it!

Great stories and I enjoyed the performance more than I anticipated. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good biography and not just a “tell all” book. It helped me appreciate the person behind the performer a lot more.

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Getting the call !!

I liked the whole story , from the beginning to the finish !getting the call was my favourite part !

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Never Give Up Your Dream

A very honest story of one man’s journey from a dream to fruition as a kickass rock ‘n roll singer. The moment he actually gets the gig to be ACDC’s singer really tugged at my heart strings. Loved it, just wished it was longer and told some stories about being in AC/DC. Maybe a future book?

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