The Darkness singer Justin Hawkins recently opened up about his experience performing AC/DC’s “Back In Black” with Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert. He revealed his frustration with the unexpected collaboration.
Justin Hawkins talks about Brian Johnson
During an interview with Professor of Rock, Hawkins explained that he was caught completely off guard by the AC/DC performance. He had prepared extensively for other songs throughout the tribute show.
“I had no idea that was going to happen as well. I hated it. I’ve got to say I hated it, ‘cuz the other things I did on that day I’d prepared for. And I was like I’d learned this stuff. The Van Halen stuff was important to me. Singing with Queen was obviously amazing. I was geared up to play whatever they wanted me to do,” Hawkins said.
Justin Hawkins said Dave Grohl deliberately picked him to handle the most challenging songs, telling the band that anything difficult to sing or play should go to Justin. Hawkins agreed to take on whatever was needed, though he was nervous about how much he’d be asked to do. He also emphasized that AC/DC was never discussed or mentioned beforehand.
“And I think when Dave Grohl was putting that thing together, I think he was like, ‘Okay, if there’s anything that’s difficult to sing or difficult to play, we’ll get Justin to do it.’ And that’s literally what he said to our drummer Rufus. So I was like, ‘Yeah, okay. I’m down for anything.’ I was kind of dreading the phone call cuz it was like I didn’t know how much I’d have to do. But at no point was AC/DC mentioned. No point,” he continued.
