AC/DC tour postpones six U.S. shows as singer Brian Johnson rests

The planned October 1 start of AC/DC’s latest North American tour leg has been postponed as lead singer Brian Johnson recovers from an unspecified medical procedure. The fall 2009 portion of the Black Ice World Tour will instead relaunch October 16 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

In addition to the opening night at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ, five other shows have been postponed in Las Vegas, NV; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO; Des Moines, IA; and Milwaukee, WI. Additional details of the rescheduled shows are expected by the middle of this week. Until then, concert promoter Live Nation has advised fans to hold onto their tickets.

The exact nature of Johnson’s medical procedure and expected recovery time is unclear. AC/DC’s announcement did not go into specifics and simply stated, “Lead singer Brian Johnson recently underwent a medical procedure and at the advice of his doctor is taking some time to rest.”

The singer and lyricist will celebrate his 62nd birthday on October 5 and has led the Australian rock band since 1980, when he took over for recently deceased frontman Bon Scott.

AC/DC has been on the road promoting its most recent album “Black Ice” since its release in October 2008, when the band launched its 18-month world tour in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

In addition to its previous fast-selling legs in North America and Europe, the hard rock crew also has forthcoming treks planned for Latin America in late 2009, as well as Australia and New Zealand in early 2010.

The upcoming fall 2009 leg has more than a dozen confirmed concert dates in North America, including events on November 12 in Mexico City, Mexico, and November 21 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The final U.S. show at this point is November 19 at Amway Arena in Orlando, FL.

AC/DC postponed dates:
(Dates to be rescheduled.)

AC/DC updated itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)