AC/DC

Origins:  
Formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973

Origin of the Name:

The reference to electrical current was intended -- like name of the band’s first album, High Voltage -- to symbolize the band’s high energy music.

Original Members:

Dave Evans – vocals
Angus Young – guitar
Malcolm Young – guitar
Larry Van Kriedt – bass guitar
Colin Burgess – drums

Other Members:  
Rob Bailey – bass guitar
Peter Clack – drums
Tony Currenti – drums
Mark Evans – bass guitar
Brian Johnson – vocals
Phil Rudd – drums
Bon Scott – vocals
Chris Slade – drums
Cliff Williams – bass guitar
Simon Wright – drums
George Young – bass guitar

Current Members:

Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd

First Album:

High Voltage (1975)

Most Recent Album:

Stiff Upper Lip (2000)

Influenced By:

Rolling Stones, Marc Bolan (T Rex)

Influence On:  
Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, INXS, Van Halen, Whitesnake (and many others)

AC/DC Biography

Australia’s most famous rock band was formed by two brothers – Angus and Malcolm Young -- who were born in Glasgow, Scotland. Their older brother, George, who made a name for himself with The Easybeats in the ‘60s joined his younger siblings in 1975.

In its first few years, AC/DC toured relentlessly, primarily in Europe and Australia. Their first foray into America came in 1977.

By 1979 they were among the top rock bands in the world. Their 1980 album Back in Black has reportedly sold over 40-million copies worldwide, making it one of the highest selling of all time. They are currently in the top five best selling bands in US music history.

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll:  
Over the years, AC/DC has been variously classified as hard rock, heavy metal, punk, even glam rock. The band considers itself simply rock 'n' roll.

Angus Young’s trademark “school boy” outfit and the rest of the band’s satin jumpsuits have led some people to erroneously conclude that the band’s name suggests a bisexual theme.

The band has released a total of 25 studio and live albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who said, “AC/DC became the litmus test of what rock does.”

Essential CD:  
Highway to Hell
This 1979 album was the last for vocalist Bon Scott, who died of acute alcohol poisoning in 1980. It has sold over 7-million copies in the US alone. AC/DC’s sixth album, it solidified the band’s international superstar status.

AC/DC Resources

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