AC/DC singer Brian Johnson has hit out at music stars like Bono, Sir Bob Geldof and Chris Martin for telling gig-goers to donate money to charity.

The 62-year-old rocker believes such stars should dig deep in their pockets rather than preach to the more cash-strapped.

“I don’t tell everybody they should give money - they can’t afford it,” Johnson told the Melbourne Sun. “When I was a working man I didn’t want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa.

“I’m sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry. I become all tyrannical.”

Talking about Bob Geldof's fund-raising for Live Aid and Live 8, Johnson continued: "Bob Geldof is a canny lad. He did what he thought was right at the time but it didn't work.

"The money didn't go to poor people. It makes me mad when people try to use politics or charity for publicity.

"Do a charity gig, fair enough, but not on worldwide television."

(by Scott Colothan)