AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has been announced as the first patron of the Graham Wylie Foundation.
Chronicle Live reports the UK entrepreneur’s namesake charity’s aim is to help, inspire and educate vulnerable and underprivileged children across the country’s North East.
The foundation’s first project is to open a Nordoff Robbins music therapy centre in Newcastle - the first of its kind outside of London.
“I am very proud and privileged to be the first patron of the Graham Wylie Foundation,” says Johnson. “I strongly believe in the power of music to help children and adults through the tough times of ill health.
“The Brian Johnson Music Therapy Room in Sarasota, Florida, is flourishing and the results are wonderful, but now to be asked to be involved in something from my hometown makes me very proud.”
For more details on upcoming events and information on how you help, visit grahamwyliefoundation.org.uk
Hearing issues sidelined Johnson from AC/DC’s 2016 tour lineup in March, forcing the group to postpone the remaining 10 shows on their spring US tour after the rocker was advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.
Johnson later revealed that the initial source of his hearing loss began approximately eight years ago while racing at the Watkins Glen International.
Axl Rose approached AC/DC with an offer to help the band in Johnson’s absence, and the Guns N’ Roses leader made his debut with the Australian rockers in Lisbon, Portugal on May 7 to rave reviews worldwide as the lineup performed a 13-date European spring tour.
Rose and AC/DC will play the rescheduled US dates starting August 27 in Greensboro, NC.
AC/DC
North American tour 2016
Rescheduled dates
Aug 27 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
Aug 30 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - BB&T Center
Sep 01 - Atlanta, GA - Phillips Arena
Sep 04 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
Sep 06 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
Sep 09 - Detroit, MI - The Palace
Sep 11 - Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center
Sep 14 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Sep 17 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
Sep 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
See also:
Angus Young comments on future of AC/DC
VIDEO: AC/DC look forward to US tour with Axl Rose
AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams announces retirement
VIDEO: AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams recalls joining band 40 years ago
Search AC/DC at hennemusic