(REUTERS) - AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has admitted in a statement released to press he is "personally crushed" to give up live tours due to his hearing loss.
The 68-year-old rocker wanted to explain to his fans why the band was forced to postpone 10 of its US shows for its Rock Or Bust tour this year and how he came to be replaced by Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose for the rest of their European and American shows.
He was advised by doctors in March that he risked "total deafness" if he continued touring in large live venues. Johnson called it "the darkest day of my professional life".
However, he did finish the note by saying he was not going to retire and would continue to record in the studio with the band.