Rock of ages: AC/DC to kick off tour with Axl Rose

Lisbon: Aussie rockers AC/DC were set to write a new chapter in their 42-year career on Saturday, launching a European tour with Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose replacing Brian Johnson as frontman.

Saturday's gig at the Passeio Maritimo de Alges in Lisbon is the start of a 12-date, five-week swing through Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, England and Denmark.

The band cancelled remaining dates on their US tour back in March after Johnson, 68, was told by doctors that he had to quit touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.

Notorious for playing at painfully high decibels, AC/DC has brought in Rose, 54, for the European tour and the 10 postponed US dates.

The concerts will showcase its latest album, "Rock or Bust."

Johnson, known for his trademark cap and a voice that strains the vocal cords, joined the band in 1980 after singer Bon Scott died following a night of heavy drink.

Johnson's loss is the latest major change for AC/DC. Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, brother of lead guitarist Angus, retired in 2014 before "Rock or Bust" as he suffers dementia.

Guns N' Roses became global sensations with 1987's "Appetite For Destruction," which remains the best-selling debut album ever. Its signature song, "Sweet Child o' Mine," was a mega-hit.

But the rough living described in the songs was not far from reality and the band suffered frequent friction, with the classic lineup calling it quits after a 1993 show in Buenos Aires.