GENE SIMMONS Praises AXL ROSE-AC/DC Pairing: 'I Think It's Great'

Gene Simmons says that the pairing of GUNS N' ROSES singer and AC/DC is the "best thing that can happen to both bands."

The legendary Australian hard rock outfit recruited Rose for more than twenty shows after singer Brian Johnson had to abruptly come off the road or face total hearing loss.

During an interview with the Montana radio station 105.7 The Eagle, the KISS bassist/vocalist gave his opinion on AC/DC's decision to hire Rose. He said (hear audio below): "I think it's great. I think Axl being with AC/DC — best thing that can happen to both bands. I don't know how long it's gonna last, but I hear the shows have been great, and I hear both Axl and AC/DC have been getting along fairly decently. In fact, KISS took out AC/DC on their first tour. The bands we've given first tour have included AC/DC, RUSH, CHEAP TRICK, MÖTLEY CRÜE, BON JOVI, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN… I mean, the list is long."

AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams recently revealed that he will retire from recording and touring after finishing out the band's current world trek. Williams's decision follows a string of personnel changes for the group that started with co-founding guitarist Malcolm Young's departure in 2014 after he was diagnosed with dementia. Last year, drummer Phil Rudd was sentenced to house arrest after he was found guilty on a drug charge.

Assuming neither Rudd nor Johnson return, Williams's exit means that only Angus Young remains from the lineups that recorded classic albums like 1979's "Highway To Hell", 1980's "Back In Black" and 1981's "For Those About To Rock...We Salute You".

The rescheduled dates of AC/DC's North American tour — which will be the band's first concerts here with Rose on lead vocals — will kick off in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 27. Angus Young has not indicated yet what the group's plans are following the completion of the touring cycle for the band's latest album, "Rock Or Bust".