LISBON • Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose made his debut with AC/DC in Lisbon last Saturday, standing in for lead singer Brian Johnson on the veteran Australian rock band's world tour and treating a rapturous crowd to confident renditions of hits such as Back In Black.

"Nice to meet you," shouted Rose, 54, as he took to the stage wearing his trademark bandana under a hat, but confined to a chair because of a broken foot.

Saturday's open-air concert at the Passeio Maritimo de Alges in Lisbon marked the start of a 12-date, five-week swing through Europe.

The band cancelled remaining dates on their United States tour in March after Johnson was told by doctors he had to quit touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.

Notorious for playing at painfully high decibels, AC/DC brought in Rose for the Europe tour and the 10 postponed US dates.

Johnson, 68, who has fronted the group since the 1980 death of original lead singer Bon Scott, has said he was "personally crushed" to give up the tour.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music last week, Rose paid tribute to Johnson and said it would be "really challenging" to replace him. "He's a great singer," Rose said. "I'm just trying to do it justice for the fans."

Die-hard AC/DC lovers in Lisbon appeared to appreciate his efforts last Saturday."Of course, he can't replace Brian Johnson, but Axl Rose is a good singer," said Mr Francis Vega, 48, who flew in from the Canary Islands for the gig.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE