Johnson: I'm not quitting AC/DC

On and on: Johnson and Angus Young

Brian Johnson has cleared up the rumours about his desire to leave AC/DC, saying he'll stay with the band as long as he's able to walk.

Stories began circulating last year after Johnson, 62, said he sometimes found it tough to keep fronting the biggest band in the world. He said: "I love being in this band but the other lads are in their early 50s. I don't want to look a prat if I push it too far. I don’t want people to say, 'Poor old f'ker – the band’s carrying him!'"

At one point he talked about planning to bow out in May 2009 when the Black Ice world tour was scheduled to end - but it's been extended ever since and is set to continue throughout this year.

Concern reached a peak in winter when a number of shows were cancelled after Johnson suffered throat problems, which turned out to be early-stage cancer. It was caught in time but he called it "the most terrifying time of my life", saying he didn't sleep for five days.

Now he tells the Sydney Morning Herald: "Retire? I'll get beaten up by the boys. Not while I can still walk."

AC/DC are back in Australia for their first shows there since 2001. The band will headline this year's Download Festival at Donington on June 11-13.They'll release a compilation album, the soundtrack to the Iron Man 2 movie, in April.

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