AC/DC IN CONCERT:
With dozens of driving anthems and countless epic concerts under their belt, AC/DC has become one of the most successful and recognizable hard rock bands ever. Powerhouse numbers like "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Highway to Hell," and "Back in Black" get ticket buyers headbanging along from the first few iconic chords, while a pyrotechnic stage show complete with fireworks, Jumbotrons, and stacks of cranked amplifiers ensures the whole arena sees, hears, and feels the thunder from start to finish. Legendary duck-walking guitarist Angus Young keeps crowds pumped with his relentless energy, doling out crushing riffs and lightning-fast licks with swagger to spare. And on the 2016 Rock or Bust Tour, special guest vocalist Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses steps in to lend his trademark range to AC/DC's earth-shaking sound, bringing a new edge to their larger-than-life performances.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Brothers Angus and Malcolm Young got the name AC/DC from the back of their sister Margret's sewing machine ñ the same one she used to sew the campy Catholic schoolboy uniform Angus used to wear on stage. The fledgling hard rockers started making a name for themselves in small Australian clubs in 1973, but things truly started to take off when they hooked up with wild-man singer Bon Scott the following year. Sadly, tragedy struck a few years later following the international success of 1979's Highway to Hell when Scott died after a night of heavy drinking. Encouraged by the support of the late singer's parents, the group doggedly carried on with new frontman Brian Johnson to complete work on their next album, Back in Black. Since its 1980 release, that album has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide on the back of quintessential rock staples like "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Hell's Bells," and the title track. The band maintained a steady recording and touring schedule for the next three decades before health issues began to take their toll. First Malcolm Young was forced to retire in 2014 with Parkinson's disease, then hearing loss sidelined Brian Johnson midway through their 2016 Rock or Bust Tour. AC/DC announced that Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose would finish the tour in Johnson's place, while the latter explored hearing aids that would allow him to rejoin the group in the future without further damaging his hearing (happily he noted that he'll still be able to record music). This never-say-die attitude over the past 40 plus years has further glorified AC/DC's legend for fans, who know they'll rock the stage no matter what.