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Airbourne • September 12-13, 2026

The Advice From Lemmy They Never Forgot

Eighteen years after their last visit to the Rock 30, Joel and Ryan O’Keeffe are still here—and somehow, still very much the same two brothers. Airbourne joins LA Lloyd backstage in Pamplona, Spain, just minutes after opening for Judas Priest, with Priest still shaking the arena while we talk. But underneath the new album, the tour and all those years on the road is something Lemmy told them when they were young: the music business was going to come at them from every direction. Don’t let it change who you are.

Would Lemmy Sing That?

They never forgot it. Joel says Lemmy saw a tenacity in Airbourne before maybe even they completely understood it themselves—and his words still follow them into the studio today. Sometimes the test is as simple as, “Would Lemmy sing that?” That connection runs straight through “Alive After Death (Last Plane Out),” a song built around a beautiful idea: when somebody is gone, every record you play, every shirt you wear and every tattoo you carry puts a little piece of them back together.

We’re Still Here

And maybe that’s why this conversation feels less like an interview and more like catching up after eighteen years. We talk about Bryan Adams unexpectedly connecting Airbourne with Mutt Lange, the brothers who have somehow survived more than twenty years together, the crew members approaching their thousandth show, and kids walking around in Iron Maiden and Motörhead shirts who weren’t even alive when some of that music was made. Near the end, Ryan looks back at all those years and says something simple that seems to tie the whole conversation together: “We’re still here.” Lemmy would probably understand exactly why.

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Rock 30 is more than a countdown—it’s a community of rock fans who love the music and the stories behind it. Listen to Rock 30 Radio 24/7, watch full guest interviews on Rock 30 TV, connect with LA Lloyd on social media, or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. Have a question, request, or comment? Call the Rock 30 Hotline at 855-5-ROCK-30 (855-576-2530) or email feedback@rock30.com. However you choose to connect, we’re glad you’re here.