AC/DC singer Brian Johnson says band’s new album is done

TORONTO — AC/DC singer Brian Johnson says the band recorded its 15th album in Vancouver without ailing guitarist Malcolm Young.

“We miss Malcolm obviously. He’s a fighter. He’s in hospital but he’s a fighter,” Johnson said in an interview with Classic Rock magazine.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again.”

Young’s unspecified health issues sparked speculation in April that AC/DC was calling it quits but the band issued a statement insisting it “will continue to make music.”

As Global News reported in April, AC/DC started working on the new album at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver in May.

Johnson, 66, said Young’s nephew Stevie Young filled in on guitar.

“But I’m sure he was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy but he’s very strong. He’s proud and he’s very private, so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”

Johnson said the album has “great songs” and will be released next year to mark the band’s 40th anniversary.

AC/DC released albums in Australia in 1975 and its first worldwide album in 1976 but hasn’t put out new music since 2008’s Black Ice.

“I wanted to call the album Man Down,” Johnson said, “but it’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart.”