I feel sad for Malcolm first and foreall of course, and the band, for that would be too bad an ending indeed.
This just IMO:
They've given so much to rock 'n' roll - but music-wise, there isn't that much more left for them to offer.
The best they've ever done is way behind - the Bon Scott years.
I've never liked Brian Johnson's voice, though I like the guy for who he is and how he helped the band carry on quite soon after Scott's death.
Bon was such a vocalist, and such a lyricist, as well as such a performer... Voice-wise, the Young Bros' choice was questionable.
Angus and Malcolm were able to take further their miraculous riff workshop, and (apart from the Simon Wright and Chris Slade intermezzos) the Phil Rudd/Cliff Williams rhythm duet remained their (way underrated) chrome rails.
"Back in Black" would have been perfect with Bon Scott singing; I've always dug the album as much as Johnson's vocals have always made me make faces.
"For those about to rock" contains a few tunes that could have been gems had Johnson not sung them.
Side 1 of "Flick of the switch" was great - and the vids from the 1983 tour I've seen show Johnson in great vocal shape. Maybe he fucked his voice during that tour?
"Fly on the wall", apart from the videos that kicked ass, was a real wreck.
The "Who made who" tunes were even worse. Sounds like automatic riffing and songriting to me;
I think "Razor's edge" is what they've done best with Brian Johnson, it's well-balanced and never disappointing, my fave anyway.
"Ballbreaker" was good (which is a great album generally speaking).
"Black ice" sounds as if it had been made with gap fillers only...
Let Malcolm Young get better, he deserves it, but if AC/DC call it quits nonetheless it will be a pity for the way they do, not for the music they could have recorded.