Genres: Heavy Metal

AC/DC is the product of brothers Malcolm Young, who is the rhythm guitarist, and Angus Young, who plays lead guitar for the band. Angus was 15 years old and still a schoolboy when Malcolm suggested he play in his band, and their sister convinced him to wear his school uniform on stage. The band went through many lineup changes in their early years. A move to Melbourne, however, would introduce drummer Phil Rudd and bassist Mark Evans. Bon Scott, who began as the band’s chauffeur, would eventually become their lead vocalist when the man they’d hired as lead singer refused to perform live. Scott had a reputation for being a rogue, and the rest of the band adopted the same mentality. This became AC/DC’s trademark.

In 1974, they began to release album, and they consecutively released High Voltage and TNT in the U.S. and in Europe. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap came next, and their popularity began to grow. They finally charted in 1977 with Let There Be Rock, and they followed up with Powerage. They toured constantly in support of their albums, and the onstage and back-stage antics of the band became somewhat of a legend. In 1979, however, they really crossed over with Highway to Hell, which reached number 17 in the U.S. charts and number 8 in the U.K. The band was enjoying success it had never even dreamed of. Tragically, however, Bon Scott died in February of 1980, from alcohol poisoning.

AC/DC began to look for a suitable replacement for Bon. His death had a great impact on the band, as they had all been very close friends. In March, however, they replaced him with Brian Johnson, and recorded the legendary Back in Black, which put AC/DC over the top. They toured around the world supporting the album. The band enjoyed the popularity and privileges that came with being rock stars.

Throughout the 80’s, AC/DC experienced a few more lineup changes, and intermittently released albums that received adequate airplay. Even though AC/DC is still consistently releasing music (they’ve released 17 albums), they have not enjoyed the same elaborate success that they did in the late 70’s and early 80’s. While music styles have changed, AC/DC has not. They still record and produce the same 3-chord-driven rock and roll that they always have. And, while the younger generations may not know exactly what AC/DC is about, older rockers everywhere still crank up the stereo and salute those who are about to rock.