Brian Johnson was still a teenager when the Rolling Stones released their first records and they were one of the bands that made him love Rock and Roll music so much. He first achieved fame with Geordie and then as the vocalist of AC/DC, replacing the late Bon Scott.
Over the years he shared his love for the Stones many times and even had the chance to open their concerts with AC/DC back in 2003. To show more of Johnson’s passion for the British group, Rock and Roll Garage selected the two Rolling Stones songs that Brian Johnson said that are some of his favorites.
The 2 Rolling Stones songs that Brian Johnson listed as some of his favorites
“Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
Talking with BBC Radio 2 on the show “Tracks Of My Years” in 2022 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage) Brian Johnson listed 10 songs that are some of his favorites of all time. One of them was “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, and released as a single in 1968.
“Had to be (‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash), can’t be any other. I mean, of course (there is) ‘Brown Sugar’. (But) there is something about certain songs. There is no reason why I picked this song, except that the riff was so infectious. I’ll never forget that, (the song) made me go out and buy a pair of maracas,” Brian Johnson said.
In an interview with Ricky Wilson in 2022, the AC/DC vocalist recalled the experience of being Stones opening act back in 2003.
“The biggest shock I got, and it was silly. We did two gigs with the Rolling Stones. The first one was a SARS benefit concert in Canada when it was all finished. Then, I watched them from the stage, and it was him. Honestly, I know it’s silly. But it’s just I got a shiver when he started. Backstage, later on, talking to him…”
“Angus once said, ‘The great thing about the Rolling Stones backstage was that Keith and Mick were exactly like you’d thought they would be.’ Truly unique. Pairing them together, and double act that I have never seen,” Brian Johnson said.
Curiously, the guitarist Keith Richards already said many times that he is a huge AC/DC fan. But most of the times he mentioned the band, he said that his favorites albums had Bon Scott on vocals. However, he never said that his choice for those records were because of the vocals.
“Start Me Up”
In an interview with The Sunday Times in 2014, Brian Johnson talked about his huge car collection and revealed his 11 favorite songs to listen to while driving. One of them was the Rolling Stones 80s hit “Start Me Up” released on their 1981 album “Tattoo You”.
It is one of the most famous songs by the Stones and was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. At the time of its release the song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Johnson gave his testimonial about Jagger on the documentary “My Life As a Rolling Stone” released in 2022 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). He recalled the first time he heard another classic track from the band: “Satisfaction”. He also praised Mick Jagger’s skills.
“I remember the first time I heard it and I just went ‘What the hell is that?’ I think that Mick Jagger has this wonderful gift. He can make a huge stadium seem like a small room and make everybody feel involved. That’s the secret,” Brian Johnson said.