AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The band are considered pioneers of hard rock, alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. Its members, however, have always classified their music as " rock 'n' roll".
AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album, Highway to Hell. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their biggest-selling album, Back in Black.
The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was also highly successful and was the first hard rock album to reach #1 in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity, soon after the departure of drummer Phil Rudd in 1983. Poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well-received by critics. A new album is expected in 2008.
AC/DC have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, including more than 68 million albums in the U.S. Back in Black has sold 42 million units worldwide, including 21 million in the U.S., making it the second-highest-selling album ever internationally, and the biggest-selling album by any band. The band is ranked fourth on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Brian Johnson (born October 5, 1947 in Dunston, Gateshead, England) is a singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist for the Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. He currently lives in Sarasota, Florida.
In 1972, Johnson formed the glam rock band Geordie and became their lead singer. However, after a few hit singles, the band split up in 1978. Johnson reformed Geordie in 1980, however, just after a record deal had been signed, he was asked to audition for AC/DC. A few days after the audition, Johnson was told he would be replacing Bon Scott as the lead vocalist of the band. Johnson's first album with AC/DC, Back in Black, is the band's biggest selling album.
Johnson's sartorial trademark is his cap. Originally, he wore a flat cap, once regarded as a symbol of Tyneside, but in recent years, he has occasionally worn a baseball cap instead.
- ...that before deciding on his characteristic school uniform stage outfit (pictured), Angus Young also tried other costumes, such as Spiderman, Zorro, a gorilla, and a parody of Superman named Super-Ang?
- ...that Bon Scott ended his last album with AC/DC, Highway to Hell, with the phrase, "Shazboz, nanu-nanu", a quote from Robin Williams' character in the television show Mork and Mindy?
- ...that Angus and Malcolm Young claim they developed the idea for the band's name after seeing the acronym "AC/DC" on the back of a sewing machine owned by their sister, Margaret?
- ...that Hayseed Dixie released an album called A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC which featured songs from Back in Black performed in a bluegrass style?
- ...that there is a street in Melbourne which is named after AC/DC?
- ...that the 1981 album, For Those About to Rock, was inspired by a book Angus Young read about Roman gladiators entitled For Those About To Die, We Salute You?
- June 29, 2007 — Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams along with Steve Luongo and Mark Hitt recorded new songs for a fund raising tour named "Classic Rock Cares". Their first single "Chain Gang on the Road" has been presented recently, but the band doesn't have a name. Williams stated that "the Young brothers have been writing new material, but there’s no telling when that will crystallize into an album." (Read more)
- January 2, 2007 — AC/DC Maximum Rock & Roll, a book by Murray Engleheart and Arnaud Durieux covering the biography of AC/DC has been released. (Read more)
- December 12, 2006 — The Daily Mirror revealed that AC/DC have been asked to headline the 2007 Slane Concert in Ireland. (Read more)
- November 12, 2006 — Brian Johnson won Sky One's racing competition programme, The Race. (Read more)
- August 24, 2006 — Angus Young was named Kerrang! legend on the 2006 Kerrang! Awards, and editor Paul Brannigan referred to AC/DC as "one of the most important and influential rock bands in history." (Read more)
- April 13, 2006 — According to The Age, AC/DC came second in a list of Australia's highest-earning entertainers for 2005. (Read more)
- January 2006 — It has been reported that AC/DC are working on a new studio album. According to Malcolm Young, "the band is currently recording and writing material for the eagerly anticipated next album, but no release date has been set." (Read more)
- "If it was happening, I'd call it Heavenly Beast. If it wasn't happening, I usually call it Asshole."
- —Angus Young, when asked if he named his guitar (pictured)
- "We want to appeal to everyone and get rich quick. We want to be millionaires. I've got this plan to buy Tasmania you see..."
- — Angus Young
- "I can't even say the word, it's too early in the day to get upset."
- — Bon Scott (when asked about disco music)
- "Angus? I think he's kinda crazy. Since the first night I saw the band way back in Australia, I knew their manager, and I'd never seen the band before and never even heard of AC/DC. And the manager just said stand here, the band comes on in two minutes. So I stood there and this band comes on and there's this little guy, about that big, with a school uniform and a bag on his back going crazy and I laughed, and I must have laughed for half an hour. And I still laugh, and I think he's great."
- — Bon Scott (when asked about Angus Young)
- "We were a scandal in Australia. They love scandal there. Mums tugging their kids away from us in the street: 'Ooh, look - Them!'"
- — Malcolm Young
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