The Lives of Brian

"It wasn't me. I didn't do it. And I'll never do it again!" says Brian Johnson of The Lives of Brian.

That AC/DC's legendary frontman got to do it all is one of the most cheering and entertaining stories in rock'n'roll history.

The son of a British army sergeant major and Italian mother, Brian grew up in Dunston, Tyne and Wear, as it emerged from the shadow of the Second World War. Then he saw Little Richard on the BBC and it changed the course of his life.

The choir boy and sea scout was going to be a singer.

For over a decade he tried to make his mark with a succession of bands. He appeared frequently on TV and toured Europe and Australia with Geordie, yet real success slipped out of reach.

Brian had a family to support and a mortgage to pay, so was forced to take a succession of jobs eventually leading to him running his own business. But if fate had a plan for Brian . .

. fate didn't stand a chance.