We Salute You: Rock Fans Flock to Book Revue for Johnson Book Signing

After years of faithful allegiance to AC/DC, a few short hours of standing in line didn't seem like much to ask for a chance to meet a member of the legendary rock band.

Just ask the hundreds of fans gathered in Huntington at the Wednesday night to get a signed copy of "Rock And Rollers," a new memoir written by AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson — they all said it was worth the wait.

“It took me thirty years to meet him,” said Peter Castelli, first in a long line to meet the AC/DC lead singer. “I’ll just shake his hand and thank him for all the music.” 

Castelli and his friend, John O’Rourke, secured the first spot in line by arriving seven hours prior to the 7 p.m. start time and alternating lunch shifts. They attended their first AC/DC concert together in 1980.

O’Rourke now lives in Connecticut and left work early to arrive in time for the signing.  

"We had some chairs until they were confiscated," laughed Castelli, who said he was unsure about what to say to his idol upon meeting him for the first time — he tentatively settled on cars, a theme in "Rock And Rollers."

In the memoir, the Australian-born Johnson, a 2003 inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a car enthusiast, shares his thoughts on cars, racing experiences and celebrities. 

As the line to meet Johnson swelled from the second floor, out the first-floor door and down the block just before the start of the event, book store co-owner Robert Klein said he was sure he’d run through his 350 stocked copies of Johnson's book.

Waiting in line outside, Joe Gigante and Charles Rocke from Bellmore took turns riffing the AC/DC hit “Back in Black” on a guitar. 

Ahead of them was Paul Pattersen of Bayside who said that his two sons, Thomas and Matthew, got him into AC/DC. “It's good old fashioned hard rock,” said Matthew.

Young Joseph Bradbury of Huntington went to his first AC/DC concert at Black Ice in New Jersey with his dad, who was standing with him Wednesday waiting for an autograph.

“I’ve been a fan of AC/DC since I was born,”  the 10-year-old said.

Many older fans said they waited a good part of their lives for the chance to meet Johnson in person after years listening to records and going to concerts.

“He’s a guy I’ve idolized since I was a little kid,” said Vinny Borzell of Selden who has been going to AC/DC concerts since the 1990s. “It was really cool to meet him.  This was the first time I’ve ever met anybody in the band. He was very nice and he took the time to shake everyone’s hand.” 

Borzell said it would be impossible to choose a favorite from the AC/DC songs that have virtually become a part of who he is. 

“When you listen to them every day in your 30s, your best friends make fun of you and you feel like a little kid,” he laughed.