In his only Australian interview, the outspoken singer said he and his Grammy-winning band prefer to help in private with no press conferences.
"I do it myself, I don't tell everybody I'm doing it," Johnson said.
"I don't tell everybody they should give money - they can't afford it.
"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."
Johnson said AC/DC's aversion to playing at charity events goes back to turning down a slot at 1985's Live Aid.
"Bob Geldof is a canny lad. He did what he thought was right at the time but it didn't work," he said. "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."
I couldn't agree more Mr. Johnson. If celebrities really cared so much about the causes they support they'd keep their names out of the associated headline. The only reason they put it in there is to promote themselves as humanitarians of the year. Politicians do it, beer companies do it, oil companies do it, cigarette manufacturers do it. Pretty much every major business you can think of has a philanthropic arm. It makes consumers feel good to know that the products they purchase support a good cause. So what's the difference between the cigarette companies and the politicians and celebrities? The cigarette companies are more modest about their charity work. Cigarette companies and oil companies sell a product. Politicians and celebrities are selling an image. Which leads us to the real question; What is an image? Regardless of who's image is for sale, one thing is certain; the image that's for sale is different than the person who is selling it. Personally, I like to keep things simple and call an "image" for what it is; a lie. Prominent examples would be John Edwards or Tiger Woods. The images the media portrayed of these men was the total opposite of who they were in actuality. A regular joe who overtly associates himself with such an image is looking to create an image for himself as well...
