NIKKI SIXX Weighs In On AXL ROSE Fronting AC/DC, Partial GUNS N' ROSES Reunion

MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX:A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx has weighed in on AC/DC's decision to use Axl Rose as the the lead singer of the band's recent tour, saying that it was "pretty cool."

Rose replaced Brian Johnson last year for U.S. and European AC/DC dates after the longtime AC/DC singer was ordered off the road by doctors due to hearing issues.

In an interview conducted last year but only now posted on YouTube, Neon Sunsets asked Sixx for his opinion of the Rose-AC/DC pairing. He said (see video below): "I'm pretty much about the original band as much as possible. AC/DC, for me, growing up with Bon Scott [late AC/DC singer], was such an important band. And Brian, actually, really came in and [had] the hardest job in the world, and the band really went to the next level. Brian's a wonderful guy. I couldn't see life without Bon, but then I could never see life without Brian. Axl's in, he's singing, he's a great singer, and I think he's gonna do a great job. And I don't know if Brian will come back or not come back, but I actually think it's pretty cool."

Sixx went on to call Axl "an interesting character" who has "been a bit reclusive," and commented on the ongoing partial reunion of GUNS N' ROSES' classic lineup, which sees Axl joined by guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan for the "Not In This Lifetime" tour.

"Of all the people in the business that have tried to get the original GUNS N' ROSES back together, they could never get it back together," Nikki said. "They got a version of it back together, and you can see Axl looks happier. They're gonna go out and they're gonna play, and he's gonna do that AC/DC stuff."

He continued: "I don't know Axl, really, that well. I mean, I knew him a bit in the '80s when [GUNS N' ROSES] opened for MÖTLEY CRÜE. He was always sweet to me. He was always kind of shy and respectful. And I'm happy for him. He looks happy. He looks healthy. He missed doing what he's doing right now, and I'm sure having Slash and Duff by his side feels really good. So it's badass. Good for him. And good for Slash and Duff too. Good for the fans."

Johnson said in an open letter to fans that he intends to solve his hearing problem and continue recording and touring, although he did not say whether he would be rejoining AC/DC.

The vocalist wrote: "My entire focus is to continue medical treatment to improve my hearing. I am hoping that in time my hearing will improve and allow me to return to live concert performances. While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."

Johnson had been AC/DC's frontman for 36 years, making his debut on the classic "Back In Black" album.

GUNS N' ROSES' current "Not In This Lifetime" tour features classic lineup members Slash, McKagan and Rose backed by drummer Frank Ferrer, guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and new second keyboardist Melissa Reese.