Brian Johnson AC/DC
AC/DC singer Brian Johnson performed at the Grammy Awards last month Getty

AC/DC fans have been left Thunderstruck after the Australian metal band was forced to cancel the remaining dates on its US tour after doctors warned singer Brian Johnson risked going totally deaf.

The band had 10 dates on the US-leg of their Rock or Bust tour and hopes to re-schedule them at a later date, a statement from the band said. Ticket holders can either wait to see if the shows are go ahead in the future or be refunded.

The statement said: "AC/DC are forced to reschedule the 10 upcoming dates on the US leg of their Rock or Bust World Tour. AC/DC's lead singer, Brian Johnson, has been advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss. Tomorrow's show in Atlanta through Madison Square Garden in New York, NY in early April will be made up later in the year, likely with a guest vocalist."

The band – whose classic hits include Back in Black and Highway to Hell - has not yet cancelled any of its European dates, which are due to kick off in Lisbon on 7 May before rolling into the UK in London and Manchester the following month.

In 2014, a German study found professional musicians are four times more likely to suffer from hearing disorders and have a 57% higher risk of tinnitus than the general public. The Who guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend is has been described as "half-deaf" after decades performing at high volumes.

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