The Lives of Brian cover art

The Lives of Brian

Preview
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for £7.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Lives of Brian

By: Brian Johnson
Narrated by: Brian Johnson
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free

£7.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 23:59 GMT. Cancel monthly.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

'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 front man 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 choirboy and cub scout was going to be singer.

For over a decade he tried to make his mark with a succession of bands. He appeared on to Top of the Pops, toured Australia and yet the big time looked out of reach. Then he was invited to London for an audition for one of the world's biggest rock acts. AC/DC were a band in crisis following the tragic death of their lead singer, Bon Scott, but with Brian on board they would record their masterpiece: Back in Black. It became the biggest selling rock album of all time. The tour that followed played to packed out arenas. Quickly embraced by the band's fans, the new boy had earned his spurs. But there was to be a twist in the tale. In 2016, Brian was forced to quit the band after being diagnosed with hearing loss, only to make a triumphant return to the band he loved with the release of 2020's smash hit album Power Up.

It's been a rollercoaster of a life, throughout which Brian's kept his feet firmly on the ground, never losing touch with his roots.

Warm, vivid, evocative, life-affirming and often laugh-out-loud funny, The Lives of Brian tells the story of one of our most well-loved performers in his own inimitable words.

©2022 Brian Johnson (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Funny Thought-Provoking Witty

Listeners also enjoyed...

Rockers & Rollers cover art

What listeners say about The Lives of Brian

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    751
  • 4 Stars
    43
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    714
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    677
  • 4 Stars
    55
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Legendary

What a man, his journey, thanks Brian and Ac/Dc, what a wonderful life story- rock n roll royalty.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

NAILED IT, FUNNY, INTERESTING, HEART WRENCHING..

brilliant stuff Jono just fantastic.

I laughed and cried, boy you can tell a story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Sad & Funny Story

What a ride truly fantastic story funny and tinged with sadness, BJ brings the tale alive 5 stars all the way from me 🤘🤘🤘

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant book

Brilliant book thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I definitely highly recommend this book to any fans of one of the greatest bands ever to walk the earth

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The great Brian johnson

One of the best audio books out. A great listen, with lots of humour

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Shoot to Thrill

I am currently in a phase of listening to audio books written and narrated by some of my favourite Rock Gods. I have just finished "The Lives of Brian" and have to say this is my favourite so far. Such a pleasure listening to Brian describe in detail his early days and family life from childhood to father all leading up to his awakening of rock and roll and subsequent light bulb moment of realising what he wanted to devote his life to and the many moments and events that followed on his journey to AC/DC
There were moments listening when I had to pause the book and listen to a couple of AC/DC songs which put me in the moment even more!
If you are thinking of buying this book in Audio or even paper format then I fully recommend it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great!!

I really enjoyed it! I wasn't sure if I would but it's a great book, and Brian's narration was fantastic; he makes it feel like he's just chatting to you. Highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic for any AC⚡️DC fan.

A fantastic book on a fantastic man and with Brian narrating the book it just comes to life lots of details that even hardcore ACDC won’t know about.

The stories of Brian’s family his early singing career his stint in the territorial army parachute regiment are full of laughter a little bit of sadness here and there but just a great story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really listenable, very enjoyable yarns

Not a rock memoir, definitely not about AC/DC (though that era does feature, of course).

Great yarns about growing up and living in NE England/Britain in the 50s/60s/70's.
Then on to the 80s and the near miracle of joining AC/DC.

Really enjoyable and engaging throughout.


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Humble, heartwarming and wholesome

Brian Johnson narrates his story, speaking from the heart like he’s sat with you in a pub telling you about his life. It had me laughing at stages then crying real tears. In a world which can be very surface level, this book is the wholesome content you need to bring back faith in humanity. The man couldn’t be more humble considering he is arguably one of rocks greatest voices in history. Even if you’re not a die hard AC/DC fan, it will be one of the best things you listen to this year.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!