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albums
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- Back in Black
- Released 1980
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- Black Ice
- Released 2008
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- Highway to Hell
- Released 1979
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- The Razor's Edge
- Released 1990
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biography
AC/DC's mammoth power chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock sounds of the '70s. In its own way, it was a reaction against the pompous art rock and lumbering arena rock of the early '70s. AC/DC's rock was minimalist -- no matter how huge and bludgeoning the guitar chords were, there was a clear sense of space and restraint. Combined with Bon Scott's larynx-shredding vocals, the band spawned countless imitators over the next two decades. AC/DC were formed in 1973 in Australia by guitarist Malcolm Young after his band, the Velvet Underground, collapsed (Young's band has no relation to the seminal American group). With his younger brother Angus as lead guitarist, the band played some gigs around Sydney. Angus was only 15 years old at the time and his sister suggested that he should wear his school uniform on-stage; the look became the band's visual trademark. While still in Sydney, the original lineup featuring singer Dave Evans cut a single called "Can I Sit Next to You," with ex-Easybeats Harry Vanda and George Young (Malcolm and Angus' older brother) producing.
The band moved to Melbourne the following year, where drummer Phil Rudd (formerly of the Coloured Balls) and bassist Mark Evans joined the band. The band's chauffeur, Bon Scott, became the lead vocalist when singer Dave Evans refused to go on-stage. Previously, Scott had been vocalist for the Australian prog rock bands Fraternity and the Valentines. More importantly, he helped cement the group's image as brutes -- he had several convictions on minor criminal offenses and was rejected by the Australian Army for being "socially maladjusted." And AC/DC were socially maladjusted. Throughout their career they favored crude double entendres and violent imagery, all spiked with a mischievous sense of fun.
The group released two albums -- High Voltage and TNT -- in Australia in 1974 and 1975. Material from the two records comprised the 1976 release High Voltage in the U.S. and U.K.; the group also toured both countries. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap followed at the end of the year. Mark Evans left the band at the beginning of 1977, with Cliff Williams taking his place. In the fall of 1977, AC/DC released Let There Be Rock, which became their first album to chart in the U.S. Powerage, released in spring of 1978, expanded their audience even further, thanks in no small part to their dynamic live shows (which were captured on 1978's live If You Want Blood You've Got It). What really broke the doors down for the band was the following year's Highway to Hell, which hit number 17 in the U.S. and number eight in the U.K., becoming the group's first million-seller.
AC/DC's train was derailed when Bon Scott died on February 20, 1980. The official coroner's report stated he had "drunk himself to death." In March, the band replaced Scott with Brian Johnson. The following month, the band recorded Back in Black, which would prove to be its biggest album, selling over ten million copies in the U.S. alone. For the next few years, the band was one of the largest rock bands in the world, with For Those About to Rock We Salute You topping the charts in the U.S. In 1982, Rudd left the band; he was replaced by Simon Wright.
After 1983's Flick of the Switch, AC/DC's commercial standing began to slip; they were able to reverse their slide with 1990's The Razor's Edge, which spawned the hit "Thunderstruck." While not the commercial powerhouse they were during the late '70s and early '80s, the '90s saw them maintain their status as a top international concert draw. In the fall of 1995, their 16th album, Ballbreaker, was released. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album received some of the most positive reviews of AC/DC's career. Ballbreaker entered the American charts at number four and sold over a million copies in its first six months of release. Stiff Upper Lip followed in early 2000 with similar results. The group signed a multi-album deal with Sony the following year that resulted in a slew of reissues and DVDs. The band returned to the studio in 2008 for Black Ice, an all-new collection of songs that was followed by the group's first world tour since 2001. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
The band moved to Melbourne the following year, where drummer Phil Rudd (formerly of the Coloured Balls) and bassist Mark Evans joined the band. The band's chauffeur, Bon Scott, became the lead vocalist when singer Dave Evans refused to go on-stage. Previously, Scott had been vocalist for the Australian prog rock bands Fraternity and the Valentines. More importantly, he helped cement the group's image as brutes -- he had several convictions on minor criminal offenses and was rejected by the Australian Army for being "socially maladjusted." And AC/DC were socially maladjusted. Throughout their career they favored crude double entendres and violent imagery, all spiked with a mischievous sense of fun.
The group released two albums -- High Voltage and TNT -- in Australia in 1974 and 1975. Material from the two records comprised the 1976 release High Voltage in the U.S. and U.K.; the group also toured both countries. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap followed at the end of the year. Mark Evans left the band at the beginning of 1977, with Cliff Williams taking his place. In the fall of 1977, AC/DC released Let There Be Rock, which became their first album to chart in the U.S. Powerage, released in spring of 1978, expanded their audience even further, thanks in no small part to their dynamic live shows (which were captured on 1978's live If You Want Blood You've Got It). What really broke the doors down for the band was the following year's Highway to Hell, which hit number 17 in the U.S. and number eight in the U.K., becoming the group's first million-seller.
AC/DC's train was derailed when Bon Scott died on February 20, 1980. The official coroner's report stated he had "drunk himself to death." In March, the band replaced Scott with Brian Johnson. The following month, the band recorded Back in Black, which would prove to be its biggest album, selling over ten million copies in the U.S. alone. For the next few years, the band was one of the largest rock bands in the world, with For Those About to Rock We Salute You topping the charts in the U.S. In 1982, Rudd left the band; he was replaced by Simon Wright.
After 1983's Flick of the Switch, AC/DC's commercial standing began to slip; they were able to reverse their slide with 1990's The Razor's Edge, which spawned the hit "Thunderstruck." While not the commercial powerhouse they were during the late '70s and early '80s, the '90s saw them maintain their status as a top international concert draw. In the fall of 1995, their 16th album, Ballbreaker, was released. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album received some of the most positive reviews of AC/DC's career. Ballbreaker entered the American charts at number four and sold over a million copies in its first six months of release. Stiff Upper Lip followed in early 2000 with similar results. The group signed a multi-album deal with Sony the following year that resulted in a slew of reissues and DVDs. The band returned to the studio in 2008 for Black Ice, an all-new collection of songs that was followed by the group's first world tour since 2001. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
news
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AC/DC Backtracks has Arrived!
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- 10/16/2009
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- 1:06 PM
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- AC/DC's MySpace Blog
- Backtracks Box Set is now here and ready to ship (while supplies last). Find out more at www.ACDCBacktracks.com AC/DC Backtracks Has Arrived! …
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A Message From Brian Johnson
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- 9/30/2009
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- 10:42 AM
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- AC/DC's MySpace Blog
- "It’s an inside job that forced me to reschedule those upcoming 6 shows! Inside being the operative word here. My insides were giving me lots of …
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AC/DC Backtracks Sneak Peek Sept. 29
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- 9/28/2009
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- 9:08 PM
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- AC/DC's MySpace Blog
- Go to www.ACDCBacktracks.com NOW for the exciting AC/DC announcement you've been waiting for!
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AC/DC Backtracks Sneak Peek Sept. 28
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- 9/28/2009
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- 7:09 AM
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- AC/DC's MySpace Blog
- One more day until the exciting announcement on www.ACDCBacktracks.com. At 12:01 AM EST on September 29, the announcement will be made. …
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AC/DC Backtracks Sneak Peek Sept. 27
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- 9/27/2009
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- 7:30 AM
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- AC/DC's MySpace Blog
- Two more days to the exciting AC/DC announcement! Tune into www.ACDCBacktracks.com on September 29 for all the information.
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comments
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I got drenched
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- By Wolverinefur
- 10/28/2009 06:23:54
- At Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, CA aug 26 2009 Section 02 Row 75 Seat 30. My horns would not turn off ..on the plus side didn't have to wash my shirt
It was one of the best outdoor concert i have ever been to Hopefully this tour is not your last - Be the first person to rate this comment!
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hahaha
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- By sam2128
- 8/18/2009 14:19:01
- rock suck and Ac/Dc is a real sucker
- 0 out of 5 people
- think this is useful
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OMG november 12..AC DC concert
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- By caseydx
- 8/14/2009 01:58:18
- i cant believe it..yaaay finally.. i was waitin 4 along time. but i´ll be there....the best band ¡¡
greatest Rock never dies..... - 1 out of 3 people
- think this is useful
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OMG still lovin u guys!
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- By celina1988
- 8/11/2009 22:51:22
- Not a word of a lie I constantly repeat song after song after song I dont listen to much of anything else anymore ACDC is here to stay and here to Rock your heart out!
- 1 out of 3 people
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ac/dc
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- By RyeGuyH 190
- 8/9/2009 02:51:30
- they are the bast
- 1 out of 3 people
- think this is useful
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- 1 - 5 / 46
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tour dates
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8
- Nov
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- Houston, Texas, US
- November 08, 2009
- Toyota Center
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12
- Nov
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- Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MX
- November 12, 2009
- Foro Sol - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez
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15
- Nov
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- El Paso, Texas, US
- November 15, 2009
- UTEP - Don Haskins Center
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19
- Nov
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- Orlando, Florida, US
- November 19, 2009
- Amway Arena
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21
- Nov
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- San Juan, PR
- November 21, 2009
- Coliseo de Puerto Rico
