AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson has revealed how his mother was a resistance fighter in World War II and smuggled British pilots out of Italy.
The singer, 73, explained how his mother, Esther, who was born near Rome, Italy, smuggled downed Allied fighter pilots into the hideaway at their family farm.
The Back In Black hitmaker told how his mother worked as a stenographer in the German headquarters and passed on information to the underground hideout.
Open: AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, 73, has revealed that his mother was a resistance fighter in World War II and smuggled British pilots out of Italy. Pictured in New York City in 2017
Speaking on the We Have Ways Of Making You Talk podcast with comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland, he said: ‘The three boys in the family, me mum’s brothers were all Fascisti, blackshirts.
‘I mean they thought Mussolini was the greatest thing – a lot of people did and they were real Fascisti – they had the little pistols and fancy uniforms.’
He continued: ‘Mum worked as a stenographer in the German headquarters and she would get any little bits of information and pass them on to the underground.’
History: The Back In Black hitmaker told how his mother worked as a stenographer in the German headquarters so could pass on information to the underground hideout. Pictured in Dallas in 2016
‘Her farm under the chicken run unbeknownst to her brothers, this was the women who did it there was a hide where they would put all the downed pilots and hide them under there for a couple of days.
‘And then from there they would march them to Switzerland to get out of the country.’
Speaking about learning the extraordinary history from his mother, he said to her: ‘Jeez you guys were busy weren’t you?’
To which she replied: ‘It was fun there was some very nice pilots. Very nice – English men are very polite.’
Back in black! Legendary rock band AC/DC have finally announced their new PWRUP album
In September the legendary rock band AC/DC announced their new PWRUP album.
The band had teased the big news for days, by uploading short clips of a neon lightning bolt to Twitter and Instagram.
AC/DC finally shared what appeared to be their new album cover, confirming the return of lead guitarist Angus Young, 65, bassist Cliff Williams, 70, and rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, 63.
Back again! AC/DC last toured Down Under in 2015 and 2016 for their Rock or Bust World Tour, in support of their sixteenth studio album, Rock or Bust. Pictured: Brian and Angus in 2000
Also present on the cover is vocalist Brian Johnson, 73, who previously quit the band in 2016 due to hearing problems, and drummer Phil Rudd, 66. who left the group in 2014 amid legal troubles.
A release date for the new record has yet to be announced.
Brian’s hearing problems forced him to leave the band mid-tour in 2016.
He was temporarily replaced by Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose, who served as vocalist for the band’s remaining concerts.
Exciting! A release date for the new record has yet to be announced. Pictured: Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young (right) in London on July 4, 2015
Doctors had advised the frontman to either quit performing live or face the possibility of ‘total hearing loss’.
‘That was the darkest day of my professional life,’ Brian said of the diagnosis at the time.
AC/DC was formed in Sydney in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young.
Following the death of lead singer Bon Scott from acute alcoholic poisoning at the age of 33 in 1980, Brian Johnson was hired to replace him.
Throwback! AC/DC was formed in Sydney in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Pictured (left to right): Simon Wright, Malcolm Young, Angus Young, Cliff Williams and Brian Johnson on October 18, 1985, in Inglewood, California