AC/DC

AC/DC
Thunder of Rock 'n' Roll — Its History and Works

Chapter 1: The Immutable Giant and Its Cultural Impact

AC/DC exists beyond the framework of a mere rock band; they are a kind of "phenomenon" in modern music history. Since their formation in Sydney, Australia in 1973, AC/DC has continuously built an incredibly simple yet robust sound on the borderline between blues rock and hard rock. While countless trends like Punk, New Wave, Grunge, Britpop, and EDM (Electronic Dance Music) have risen and fallen, AC/DC has stubbornly stuck to its own style — "Rock 'n' Roll."

The essence of AC/DC's music lies not only in Angus Young's iconic schoolboy outfit and flashy lead guitar, but in the highly precise and driving rhythm guitar constructed by his older brother, Malcolm Young. This ironclad rhythm section by the "Young Brothers" is the decisive element that distinguishes AC/DC from other hard rock bands.

Chapter 2: Genesis: The Young Family and Early Chaos (1963-1974)

2.1 Emigration from Scotland and Musical Roots

The story of AC/DC, much like their music, begins with working-class realities. In 1963, William and Margaret Young left Glasgow, Scotland, which had been hit by a severe cold wave, and emigrated to Sydney using the Australian government's assisted passage scheme. The family included many children, among them George, Malcolm, and Angus.

The first to achieve musical success was the second son, George Young. As the rhythm guitarist for The Easybeats, he achieved global success with "Friday on My Mind," providing his younger brothers with a real-world example that "you can conquer the world with a guitar." After The Easybeats disbanded, George formed the production team "Vanda & Young" with former bandmate Harry Vanda, which would later play a crucial role in shaping AC/DC's sound.

2.2 Band Formation and Naming "AC/DC"

In November 1973, 20-year-old Malcolm Young and 18-year-old Angus Young formed a band in Sydney under the guidance of their brother George. The early lineup included vocalist Dave Evans, bassist Larry Van Kriedt, and drummer Colin Burgess. Larry Van Kriedt was a musician from San Francisco with a background in jazz.

The band's name originated when their sister Margaret saw the letters "AC/DC" printed on the back of a sewing machine. This is an electrical term meaning "Alternating Current / Direct Current." According to Dave Evans' testimony, no one could come up with a good idea during a band meeting, and when Malcolm finally suggested this name proposed by his sister, everyone immediately agreed, associating it with "power." They felt this name symbolized their raw, energetic playing style. It wasn't until later that they discovered it also meant "bisexual" in slang.

2.3 The Dave Evans Era and Approaching Glam Rock

On December 31, 1973, the band made their debut at a Sydney nightclub called "Chequers." During this period, AC/DC was heavily influenced by Glam Rock, which was the mainstream at the time, and were exploring styles similar to Slade and T. Rex.

In 1974, AC/DC recorded their only single, "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl / Rocking in the Parlour." This recording was produced by George Young, but the band (especially Malcolm) began to feel that Dave Evans' theatrical performance and pop-oriented voice did not suit the hard-edged blues-rock sound they were aiming for. In September 1974, a conflict arose between Evans and the manager, leading to his dismissal.

Chapter 3: The Bon Scott Era: Awakening of the Wild and Global Expansion (1974-1980)

3.1 Joining of the "Stray Dog" Bon Scott

Replacing Dave Evans was Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott, who was working as the band's driver at the time. Scott had already built a career in bands like The Spektors, The Valentines, and Fraternity, making him a veteran who knew the rough waters of the industry.

Scott's addition brought a decisive chemical reaction to AC/DC. His lyrics depicted the "realities of the street" — working-class life, alcohol, women, and violence — infused with humor and irony, matching perfectly with Angus and Malcolm's riffs. He re-recorded "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl" with his own vocals, cementing the band's direction.

3.2 Domestic Success in Australia and Lineup Stability

In 1975, the band released their debut album, High Voltage (Australian version). This album was recorded in just 10 days. The subsequent release of T.N.T. propelled AC/DC to the top band in Australia. During this time, the promotional video (PV) for "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" was filmed on the main street of Melbourne, and the sight of them playing on the back of a flatbed truck while playing bagpipes became legendary.

The rhythm section was also solidified during this period. Drummer Phil Rudd from Melbourne and bassist Mark Evans joined, forming the prototype of the so-called "classic lineup."

3.3 International Expansion and "Compilation" Confusion

In 1976, AC/DC achieved international expansion through a contract with Atlantic Records. However, this caused a discography confusion that continues to this day. The debut album released for the international market, High Voltage (1976), had entirely different contents from the Australian album of the same name.

• Australian Pressing High Voltage (1975): Debut album. Includes "Baby, Please Don't Go" and more.
• Australian Pressing T.N.T. (1975): 2nd album. Includes "T.N.T.", "The Jack", and more.
• International Pressing High Voltage (1976): Essentially a compilation album based on the Australian T.N.T., adding only two songs, "Little Lover" and "She's Got Balls," from the Australian High Voltage.

Due to this compilation policy, early songs like "Stick Around" and "Love Song" became "phantom tracks" that were difficult for fans outside of Australia to obtain for a long time.

3.4 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and American Rejection

In late 1976, the band released Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. However, the American headquarters of Atlantic Records judged that the album's sound and Bon Scott's vocal style were "too crude" for the US market and refused to release it.

This album also has major differences between the Australian and international versions. "Jailbreak" and "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)," which were included on the Australian version, were removed from the international version and replaced with "Rocker" (from the Australian T.N.T.) and a new song, "Love at First Feel." It is widely believed that the omission of "Jailbreak" from the international pressing, despite it being a masterpiece, was a misjudgment by the record company.

The release of Dirty Deeds... in the US had to wait until 1981, after the band had achieved massive success.

3.5 Cliff Williams Joins and Powerage

In 1977, due to musical differences, Mark Evans was fired, and British bassist Cliff Williams joined. With Williams' inclusion, the band's sound became more solid and heavy.

Released in 1978, Powerage lacked hit singles but is often cited as a masterpiece among fans. This album is also known as a favorite of Keith Richards. This work also has different versions; the early European pressings included "Cold Hearted Man," which was replaced by "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation" in later pressings.

3.6 Highway to Hell and Mutt Lange's Magic

Aiming for a breakthrough in the US market, the band changed their producer from long-time partners Vanda & Young to Robert John "Mutt" Lange. Lange was a perfectionist and strictly demanded the band improve their chorus work and rhythm tightness.

The resulting 1979 album Highway to Hell retained the band's wildness while acquiring a polished sound that could withstand radio airplay. "Highway to Hell" became a global anthem, and AC/DC finally secured commercial success in America.

3.7 Bon Scott's Premature Death

A tragedy struck on February 19, 1980, just as the band was about to begin production on their next album. After heavy drinking in Camden Town, London, Bon Scott fell asleep in a friend's car and was found unconscious the next day. He was pronounced dead at the hospital he was rushed to, and the cause of death was determined to be aspiration of vomit due to acute alcohol poisoning. He was 33 years old.

The band considered breaking up, but encouraged by words from Scott's parents that "Bon would have wanted you to keep the band going," they decided to continue their activities.

Chapter 4: Early Brian Johnson Era: Rebirth and the Summit (1980-1983)

4.1 A New Voice, Discovering Brian Johnson

The search for a replacement vocalist was extremely difficult. Many candidates were auditioned, but the final choice was Brian Johnson, a native of Newcastle upon Tyne and former singer of the glam rock band "Geordie." He was also someone Bon Scott had evaluated as "a great guy" while he was alive. Johnson's working-class looks and metallic, powerful high-register vocals became AC/DC's new engine.

4.2 Back in Black: A Monument Overcoming Loss

In April 1980, shortly after Johnson joined, the band entered Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, and began album production. Recorded amid a tropical storm, the album was a tribute to Bon Scott, and the jacket was made entirely black.

Released in July 1980, Back in Black, starting with the tolling bell in "Hells Bells," to the title track "Back in Black," and "You Shook Me All Night Long," proved to be a masterpiece with absolutely no filler. The album has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, making it the second best-selling album in music history after Michael Jackson's Thriller. This is the highest sales record ever for a rock band.

4.3 For Those About to Rock and US No. 1

Riding the momentum, the band released For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) in 1981. The firing of 21 cannons during live performances of the title track became the band's iconic spectacle. With this album, AC/DC achieved their first No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

However, recording with Mutt Lange was extremely grueling; in pursuit of perfect sound, they spent weeks just adjusting the snare drum sound for a single song, leaving the members exhausted.

Chapter 5: The Tumultuous 80s and Member Transitions (1983-1989)

5.1 Phil Rudd's Firing and Flick of the Switch

In 1983, an incident occurred during the recording of the album Flick of the Switch. Drummer Phil Rudd was fired after a fistfight with Malcolm Young, triggered by drug use and mental instability. Young ex-AIIZ drummer Simon Wright was selected as his replacement.

Reacting against Mutt Lange's over-production, Flick of the Switch was self-produced by the band themselves. The sound production was very dry and raw, but it did not achieve the commercial success of the previous two albums, and the band began to follow a gradual decline in sales.

5.2 Fly on the Wall and Who Made Who

1985's Fly on the Wall attempted to appeal to the MTV generation using music videos, but the vocal processing in the mix (deep reverb that buried the vocals) drew criticism.

The turning point was the 1986 album Who Made Who. This was planned as the soundtrack for the film Maximum Overdrive, directed by Stephen King. Realized because King himself was a huge fan, this project included new tracks like "Who Made Who" and instrumentals "D.T." and "Chase the Ace," along with past hits like "You Shook Me All Night Long," practically functioning as a greatest hits album. The single hit of "Who Made Who" brought the band back into the mainstream spotlight.

5.3 Blow Up Your Video and Malcolm's Departure

In 1988, Blow Up Your Video, produced by recalling early producers Vanda & Young, produced hits like "Heatseeker." However, during the accompanying tour, Malcolm Young's alcoholism reached its limit. He decided to leave the tour to focus on treatment, and his nephew Stevie Young temporarily participated as his substitute. Stevie's playing style was identical to Malcolm's, and it is said that many fans didn't even notice the member change.

Chapter 6: Resurrection in the 90s to the Stable Period (1990-2008)

6.1 The Razors Edge and the "Thunderstruck" Phenomenon

In 1990, The Razors Edge, with Bruce Fairbairn as producer, marked AC/DC's complete revival. The opening track "Thunderstruck" explodes with Angus Young's astonishing pull-off/hammer-on lead guitar playing, becoming an anthem that shakes stadiums worldwide.

During this period, the drummer was changed from Simon Wright to Chris Slade, who had been active in bands like The Firm. Slade's drumming involved more strokes than Phil Rudd's, bringing a metallic rigidity to the band. The massive world tour was captured and released as the live album AC/DC Live in 1992.

6.2 Phil Rudd's Return and Ballbreaker

In 1994, the band called back Phil Rudd, who had been living in seclusion in New Zealand, to reclaim "AC/DC's original groove." Chris Slade was let go, but it is said to have been an amicable parting.

In 1995, they released Ballbreaker, produced by Rick Rubin. With Rudd's return, the band's sound reverted to a sticky blues rock. 2000's Stiff Upper Lip followed a similar direction, with George Young handling production, unfolding a mature blues rock.

6.3 Black Ice and the Record-Breaking Tour

In 2008, they released their first studio album in 8 years, Black Ice. This album became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the charts in 29 countries worldwide. Led by "Rock 'n' Roll Train," it featured songs that evoked their past momentum. The subsequent "Black Ice World Tour" spanned 20 months, drawing an estimated 5 million people worldwide and recording as one of the highest-grossing tours in music history.

Chapter 7: Chain of Trials: Crisis of Collapse (2014-2017)

From 2014 onwards, AC/DC faced the greatest existential crisis since their formation. Key members left the band one after another due to health issues and legal troubles.

7.1 Malcolm Young's Dementia and Retirement

In April 2014, it was announced that the band's founder and musical pillar, Malcolm Young, was suffering from severe dementia, forcing him to retire from the band. Angus, just like on the 1988 tour, welcomed nephew Stevie Young as an official member and produced the album Rock or Bust. This album became their first work produced without Malcolm.

7.2 Phil Rudd's Arrest and House Arrest

Just before the release of Rock or Bust in November 2014, shocking news broke that Phil Rudd had been arrested at his home in New Zealand. The charges were "attempting to procure a murder" and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. The murder procurement charge was later dropped, but he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill and drug possession, receiving an 8-month house arrest sentence. This made it impossible for him to join the tour, and Chris Slade was brought back as the drummer once again.

7.3 Brian Johnson's Hearing Loss and Axl Rose

In March 2016, amidst the "Rock or Bust World Tour," doctors ordered Brian Johnson to stop, warning him that "if you stand on loud stages anymore, you will suffer total deafness." The band immediately announced the postponement of the remaining 10 shows, and Johnson was forced to leave the tour.

To complete the tour, Angus Young made the earth-shattering decision to bring in Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose as a replacement. Initially, some fans demanded ticket refunds, but Rose, despite singing while sitting in a chair (due to a broken foot), delivered incredible vocal range—including songs from the Bon Scott era—silencing critics and skeptical fans.

7.4 Cliff Williams' Retirement and Malcolm's Death

Perhaps mentally drawing a line under the situation where long-time comrades were leaving one after another, bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement after the tour ended in September 2016. As a result, Angus Young became the sole remaining member of the original and classic lineup, and it seemed AC/DC's history had come to an end.

Then, on November 18, 2017, Malcolm Young passed away at the age of 64. His older brother George Young had also passed away a few weeks earlier, making it the saddest year for the Young family and the band.

Chapter 8: Power Up: A Miraculous Reunion and the Present (2020-2026)

8.1 Secret Reunion and PWR/UP

Around 2018, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd began to be spotted alongside Angus around a studio in Vancouver. Brian had recovered his hearing using the latest hearing aid technology, and Phil had served his sentence and rehabilitated. Cliff also retracted his retirement, stating, "If the old guys are coming back."

In 2020, the album Power Up (PWR/UP) was released. This work was dedicated as a tribute to the late Malcolm Young, with Malcolm's name in the credits for every song (as it was constructed from a vast archive of riffs he and Angus had amassed while he was alive). The album reached No. 1 worldwide, proving that AC/DC is still the greatest rock band.

8.2 2024-2026 "Power Up Tour" and Latest Lineup

After an interruption due to the pandemic, the band began a massive tour starting in 2024. However, there were changes to the lineup again. Cliff Williams returned for recording but firmly intended to retire from touring, and Phil Rudd also did not accompany the tour due to family matters.

As of January 2026, the touring members are as follows:

• Angus Young: Lead Guitar
• Brian Johnson: Vocals
• Stevie Young: Rhythm Guitar
• Matt Laug: Drums. A highly skilled musician who has backed Alanis Morissette and Alice Cooper. Joined starting with the "Power Trip" festival in 2023.
• Chris Chaney: Bass. Former member of Jane's Addiction and a renowned session musician.

The 2026 tour schedule is centered around South America and North America. Stadium shows will be held in São Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City from February to April, with a North American tour scheduled to start in the summer. The shows in South America, in particular, are highly anticipated to have the same enthusiastic excitement seen in the past at Live at River Plate.

8.3 Death of Original Drummer, Colin Burgess

On December 16, 2023, the original drummer, Colin Burgess, passed away at the age of 77. He was an important figure who supported the band in its earliest days, and upon his death, the band released a message of tribute.

Chapter 9: Discography: The Labyrinth of Australian and International Pressings

AC/DC's discography, particularly the body of work from 1975 to 1976, is highly complex because the contents of the Australian pressings and international pressings differ greatly. The details are organized below.

9.1 Studio Albums Comparison

The table below shows the major studio albums and the details of variations by region.

Year	Title	Details of Variations
1975	High Voltage (Australia)	Australia only. Debut album. Includes "Baby, Please Don't Go" and "She's Got Balls". The jacket features an illustration of a dog standing in front of an electrical substation.
1975	T.N.T. (Australia)	Australia only. Includes "It's a Long Way to the Top", "T.N.T.", and "High Voltage". This work became the basis for the international High Voltage.
1976	High Voltage (International)	World debut album. A compilation album extracting 7 tracks from the Australian T.N.T. and 2 tracks ("Little Lover", "She's Got Balls") from the Australian High Voltage. The jacket features Angus and Bon.
1976	Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	Australian Pressing: Includes "Jailbreak" and "R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)". International Pressing: Removes the above 2 tracks and adds "Rocker" (from the Australian T.N.T.) and "Love at First Feel". The track order is also different.
1977	Let There Be Rock	Australian Pressing: Includes "Crabsody in Blue". International Pressing: Removes "Crabsody in Blue" and re-includes "Problem Child" (already on the international Dirty Deeds). Some early pressings also exist with the "Crabsody" version.
1978	Powerage	Early European Pressing: Does not include "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation", includes "Cold Hearted Man". Rough mix. Current Pressing: Includes "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation", removes "Cold Hearted Man". Remixed version.
1979	Highway to Hell	Worldwide standard specification (only minor differences in jacket design, etc.)
1980	Back in Black	Worldwide standard specification.
1981	For Those About to Rock	Worldwide standard specification.
1983	Flick of the Switch	Worldwide standard specification.
1985	Fly on the Wall	Worldwide standard specification.
1988	Blow Up Your Video	Worldwide standard specification.
1990	The Razors Edge	Worldwide standard specification.
1995	Ballbreaker	Worldwide standard specification.
2000	Stiff Upper Lip	Differences in bonus tracks depending on the region.
2008	Black Ice	Different logo colors on the jacket (Red, Yellow, White) exist.
2014	Rock or Bust	LP versions often come with a CD. A 3D jacket specification exists.
2020	Power Up (PWR/UP)	Deluxe editions with light-up box specifications and others released.

9.2 Soundtracks & Compilations

AC/DC is fundamentally known as a band that does not release "Greatest Hits" albums, but the following works exceptionally have the aspect of compilations.

• '74 Jailbreak (1984): An EP collecting early Australian tracks unreleased in the US and elsewhere. Includes 5 tracks such as "Jailbreak" and "Soul Stripper".
• Who Made Who (1986): Soundtrack for the movie Maximum Overdrive. 3 new songs + 6 previously released songs. A rare release that includes instrumental tracks.
• Iron Man 2 (2010): Soundtrack for the movie Iron Man 2. No new songs; essentially a greatest hits album with tracks selected from 1976 to 2008.

9.3 Live Albums

It is said that AC/DC's true value lies in their live performances.

• If You Want Blood You've Got It (1978): A masterpiece capturing the peak of the Bon Scott era. Centered around the Glasgow concert. The speed and passion of the performance in "Riff Raff" are tremendous.
• AC/DC Live (1992): Recorded during The Razors Edge tour. Includes audio from massive concerts at Donington and Moscow. Available in single-disc and double-disc (Collector's Edition) formats.
• Live at River Plate (2012): The 2009 Buenos Aires concert. The sight of over 60,000 spectators jumping along to the songs is breathtaking.

9.4 Videography

• Let There Be Rock (1980): A movie recording the 1979 Paris concert. You can see Bon Scott's final majestic appearance.
• Live at Donington (1992): Headlining performance at the 1991 Monsters of Rock festival.
• No Bull (1996): 1996 Madrid concert. Directed by David Mallet.
• Stiff Upper Lip Live (2001): 2001 Munich concert.
• Live at River Plate (2011): Released on DVD/Blu-ray. Powerful footage utilizing numerous cameras.

Chapter 10: Detailed Analysis of Member Transitions and Roles

AC/DC's history is also a history of drummers, bassists, and vocalists changing around the "immovable core" of Angus and Malcolm.

10.1 Member Timeline

Period	Vocals	Lead Guitar	Rhythm Guitar	Bass	Drums
1973-1974	Dave Evans	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Larry Van Kriedt and others	Colin Burgess and others
1974-1975	Bon Scott	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Rob Bailey and others	Peter Clack and others
1975-1977	Bon Scott	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Mark Evans	Phil Rudd
1977-1980	Bon Scott	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Cliff Williams	Phil Rudd
1980-1983	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Cliff Williams	Phil Rudd
1983-1989	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Cliff Williams	Simon Wright
1989-1994	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Cliff Williams	Chris Slade
1994-2014	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Malcolm Young	Cliff Williams	Phil Rudd
2014-2016	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Stevie Young	Cliff Williams	Chris Slade
2016 (Tour)	Axl Rose	Angus Young	Stevie Young	Cliff Williams	Chris Slade
2020-2024	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Stevie Young	Cliff Williams	Phil Rudd
2024-2026	Brian Johnson	Angus Young	Stevie Young	Chris Chaney (Tour)	Matt Laug (Tour)

10.2 The Importance of Rhythm Guitar: Malcolm and Stevie

The key to the AC/DC sound is not the lead guitar, but the rhythm guitar. Malcolm Young strung extra-thick strings (.012~.056 gauge) on his Gretsch guitar (Jet Firebird) and carved out powerful down-picking with a nearly clean tone, holding back the amp's distortion. His playing was so precise he was dubbed a "human metronome," yet it possessed a unique "swing."

His successor, Stevie Young, has also inherited the exact same gear and playing style as Malcolm. Having served as a substitute on the 1988 tour, he is the person who best understands Malcolm's style. For fans, Stevie's presence serves as a lifeline for preserving the band's identity.

10.3 Drummer Transitions: Phil Rudd's Groove

Flashy drum fills are not required for AC/DC's drums. What is required is a groove deep in the "pocket" to maximize the guitar riffs. Phil Rudd's drumming creates a unique weight and stickiness by having the snare placement slightly behind the beat (laid back).

On the other hand, Chris Slade was more precise and powerful, and possessed strong visual elements like hitting the hi-hat with a reverse grip. Simon Wright had a simple and solid style. The current drummer, Matt Laug, respects the styles of these past drummers while providing a stable performance.

Chapter 11: The Legacy of High Voltage and the Future

At first glance, AC/DC's history might seem like they are "repeating the same thing." However, the reality is a record of struggles in the face of unexpected tragedies and hardships, confronted with absolute dedication to music and solidarity as a Family. Bon Scott's death, the loss of Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson's hearing impairment. Each of these could have been reason enough for an ordinary band to break up.

Yet, in the current year of 2026, Angus Young is still running around the stage in his schoolboy outfit, and Brian Johnson is still belting out with his voice. What AC/DC has proven is the fact that "Rock 'n' Roll" is not merely a musical genre, but a way of life.

No one knows whether the 2026 tour will be the band's "last journey" or the beginning of a new chapter. However, what is certain is that the impact of a single "A chord" struck by AC/DC will continue to resonate across generations. AC/DC has literally etched its name into music history for eternity as a legend of "High Voltage."