TOM KEIFER Would Be 'Very Humbled And Honored' If Asked To Front AC/DC

CINDERELLA singer Tom Keifer says that he would have been "very humbled and honored" if he had been asked to step in for Brian Johnson on the remaining dates on AC/DC's tour.

AC/DC postponed the last ten shows of its recent North American trek after doctors told Johnson he faced a total loss of hearing if he did not stop touring immediately. AC/DC has since resumed its tour with GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a "guest vocalist," with Johnson apparently not returning to the group.

In a brand new interview with Zoiks! Online, Keifer was asked what his response would have been if he had been approached to sing for AC/DC as the replacement for Johnson. He responded (hear audio below): "I've seen my name brought up online, and I just wanna say — I guess this is the first time I'm publicly saying this — if I were asked, I'd be very humbled and honored, but I would not leave my [solo] band. I love my band, and we're having a good time out here. This is my home."

He continued: "I made a joke the other day. 'Cause someone asked me [about the AC/DC gig], and I said, 'Not for all the money in the bank of Australia am I leaving my band.' So that said, let's get that out of the way, first of all. But if I wasn't in the band, or in this situation right now, I don't think I'd wanna step in those shoes. I think Brian is an amazing singer. That's AC/DC. He's so iconic."

Keifer added: "In my opinion… I don't know what the story is with Brian; I don't know all the facts — if it's just temporary or whether he's coming back or returning; I've heard a lot of different things, so it's hard for me to comment on this. But I just don't know that anyone can fill those shoes. Or if it's somebody who's known, it's kind of weird — then it's not AC/DC. It was so cool when they found Brian [after the death of Bon Scott], because he wasn't really known. And then he became known and then he became the voice of AC/DC. They're one of the few bands who have been able to pull that [kind of singer change] off. I don't wanna even touch those shoes."

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.

Interview (audio):