A Rock ‘n’ Roll Salute: Angus Young and Brian Johnson Stir Fans with Emotional Shout-Out – “If You Know You Love Us, Please Show Reaction….
In what may go down as one of the most iconic moments in recent rock history, Angus Young and Brian Johnson of the legendary rock band AC/DC delivered a raw, heartfelt message to their fans during a surprise live stream on Saturday night: “If you know you love us, please show reaction.” Those simple yet powerful words, spoken with genuine emotion, have since set the rock world ablaze.
The surprise broadcast came ahead of their upcoming European tour, which kicks off later this month. With rumors swirling in recent weeks about the band’s future—and Brian Johnson’s health—a cryptic teaser on their social media accounts had fans on edge. But what came next was anything but expected.
The two icons appeared together in an intimate setting, stripped of the usual stage lights and pyrotechnics. Angus Young, wearing his trademark schoolboy uniform—albeit a little more worn with time—grinned at the camera. Johnson, ever the charismatic frontman with his flat cap and raspy voice, leaned into the mic with an emotional intensity few had ever seen from him.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” Johnson began. “But we’re still here. Still rocking. And if you know you love us… please show reaction.”
The plea, though humble, resonated across generations of fans who grew up screaming “Back in Black,” pounding the air to “Thunderstruck,” and headbanging to “Highway to Hell.” Within minutes, hashtags like #ShowReaction, #ACDCLegends, and #ForAngusAndBrian were trending globally on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Fans flooded the comments with declarations of love, memories of concerts past, and heartfelt messages thanking the band for their decades of music.
Clips from the stream began circulating rapidly, with fans across the world—from Sydney to São Paulo—organizing spontaneous listening parties, tribute covers, and mural paintings. Music blogs and major news outlets alike picked up the moment, dubbing it “a call to arms for rock ‘n’ roll.”
“AC/DC never begged for the spotlight,” wrote Rolling Stone journalist Mark Heller in a Sunday op-ed. “They earned it. And yet here they are, in their twilight years, humbly asking fans for a reaction—not for fame, but for love. It speaks volumes.”
It wasn’t long before rock stars from other generations chimed in. Dave Grohl posted, “I love you. That’s my reaction.” Slash shared a photo with Angus from their early tour days, captioned simply: “My heroes.” Even younger artists, such as Billie Eilish and Machine Gun Kelly, paid tribute with posts and covers.
While the band didn’t confirm whether the stream was tied to an upcoming farewell tour, or possibly a final album, the message carried the weight of something significant.
“Maybe we’re getting old,” Angus said with a chuckle. “But hell, as long as there’s a spark left, we’ll light the fuse.”
The band is set to headline several major festivals this summer, and with demand soaring after the emotional broadcast, additional dates may be announced. Their label, Columbia Records, reported a 400% spike in streams of AC/DC’s discography within 24 hours of the video.
For now, fans are left clinging to every word, every riff, and every signal from two of rock’s most enduring icons. Whether it’s the beginning of a last hurrah or just another chapter in a storied career, Angus Young and Brian Johnson have reminded the world what rock music is really about: passion, connection, and the timeless bond between artist and audience.
And if you know you love them… show reaction.
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