AC/DC
Biography
AC/DC's mammoth power chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock sounds of the '70s. In its own way, it was a reaction against the pompous art rock and lumbering arena rock of the early '70s. AC/DC's rock was minimalist -- no matter how huge and bludgeoning the guitar chords were, there was a clear sense of space and restraint. Combined with Bon Scott's larynx-shredding vocals, the band spawned countless imitators over the next two decades. AC/DC were formed in 1973 in Australia by guitarist Malcolm Young after his band, the Velvet Underground, collapsed (Young's band has no relation to the seminal American group). With his younger brother Angus as lead guitarist, the band played some gigs around Sydney. Angus was only 15 years old at the time and his sister suggested that he should wear his school uniform on-stage; the look became the band's visual trademark. While still in Sydney, the original lineup featuring singer Dave Evans cut a single called "Can I Sit Next to You," with ex-Easybeats Harry Vanda and George Young (Malcolm and Angus' older brother) producing.
The band moved to Melbourne the following year, where drummer Phil Rudd (formerly of the Coloured Balls) and bassist Mark Evans joined the band. The band's chauffeur, Bon Scott, became the lead vocalist when singer Dave Evans refused to go on-stage. Previously, Scott had been vocalist for the Australian prog rock bands Fraternity and the Valentines. More importantly, he helped cement the group's image as brutes -- he had several convictions on minor criminal offenses and was rejected by the Australian Army for being "socially maladjusted." And AC/DC were socially maladjusted. Throughout their career they favored crude double entendres and violent imagery, all spiked with a mischievous sense of fun.
The group released two albums -- High Voltage and TNT -- in Australia in 1974 and 1975. Material from the two records comprised the 1976 release High Voltage in the U.S. and U.K.; the group also toured both countries. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap followed at the end of the year. Mark Evans left the band at the beginning of 1977, with Cliff Williams taking his place. In the fall of 1977, AC/DC released Let There Be Rock, which became their first album to chart in the U.S. Powerage, released in spring of 1978, expanded their audience even further, thanks in no small part to their dynamic live shows (which were captured on 1978's live If You Want Blood You've Got It). What really broke the doors down for the band was the following year's Highway to Hell, which hit number 17 in the U.S. and number eight in the U.K., becoming the group's first million-seller.
AC/DC's train was derailed when Bon Scott died on February 20, 1980. The official coroner's report stated he had "drunk himself to death." In March, the band replaced Scott with Brian Johnson. The following month, the band recorded Back in Black, which would prove to be its biggest album, selling over ten million copies in the U.S. alone. For the next few years, the band was one of the largest rock bands in the world, with For Those About to Rock We Salute You topping the charts in the U.S. In 1982, Rudd left the band; he was replaced by Simon Wright.
After 1983's Flick of the Switch, AC/DC's commercial standing began to slip; they were able to reverse their slide with 1990's The Razor's Edge, which spawned the hit "Thunderstruck." While not the commercial powerhouse they were during the late '70s and early '80s, the '90s saw them maintain their status as a top international concert draw. In the fall of 1995, their 16th album, Ballbreaker, was released. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album received some of the most positive reviews of AC/DC's career. Ballbreaker entered the American charts at number four and sold over a million copies in its first six months of release. Stiff Upper Lip followed in early 2000 with similar results. The group signed a multi-album deal with Sony the following year that resulted in a slew of reissues and DVDs. The band returned to the studio in 2008 for Black Ice, an all-new collection of songs that was followed by the group's first world tour since 2001. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

For Those About To Rock
1981

Back In Black
1980

Highway To Hell
1979

If You Want Blood You've Got It
1978

High Voltage
1976
Most overrated band EVER! Granted, they did make some good songs with their first singer in the 70's, but their second singer sucks bad and their songs have sounded exactly the same since "Back In Black". They are now a Pop band, because everyone seems to like them now for reasons unknown. Ask any young kid today about AC/DC and all they can tell you is Back In Black. It's just plain pathetic. Classic Rock my A**, AC/DC is now a Pop band. And where the hell is 77's L.T.B.R. pandora?
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One of the best around. Back in Black has to be one of the top rock records ever. It's timeless.
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moomooOO7,wh y dont you go get a glass of milk eat a graham cracker and take your nap?after your nap you can watch sesame street!!Kids ! ! !
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I love AC/DC. i'd have them on my iPod but stupid iTunes doesn't have AC/DC songs unless it's by a tribute band. >.<
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They're missing a few albums - including one of the best, "Flick of the Switch." I don't see why people dislike their mid-80's stuff. It's great.
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I'm suprised that f*g that keeps talking about queer blink 182 hasn't been here putting down AC/DC. You rock, Angus!!
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I think their last good album with pretty much all good songs was "For Those About to Rock"...afte r that, they only had a few good songs...
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AC/DC would the band immortalized if there was a Mt Rushmore of Rock N Roll - Long live the Thunder from Down Under!
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Best ever...and I'm not a headbanger. I saw them in '82 at the L.A. forum and even though I hated heavy metal back then, these guys ROCKED!!!
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I have been to alot of concerts and I can tell you for a 45 year old man who went to his first AC/DC concert in January of 2009 it was the best concert I have seen to date. I have listened to AC/DC since the Bon Scott days back in the late 70's. They get alot of crap but who made who!
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I havent heard a song by ACDC I havent liked yet.. which is pretty spectacular since ive heard so many of their songs
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hmmmm good question John although sadly i would have to say while Bon Scott was the original and was extremely talented Brian Johnson was the more talented enigmatic singer his tone is what made AC/DC great
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Heres a pressing question i can't answer about ac/dc. Bon Scott or Brian Johnson?? Who was the better lead singer? Tell me what you think.
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why isnt the album "blow up your video" mentioned at all? it has some of the best (in my opinion) ac dc songs.
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AC/DC is the greatest band ever!! They always take it to another level!! No one comes close to AC/DC's mad skill in pure rock n' roll!! Hands down they can't be beat!! If you agree with me, turn the volume up and go rock out real hard!!
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So Aerosmith is the best US band...AC/DC is the best EVER hard rock band - better than KISS even, ( and I'm a # 1 KISS fan ! ) - but give credit where credit is due : no band delivers like AC/DC . Amen !
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simply the best hard rock band of all time....i dare anyone to compare another band to them....
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dude they aint never gona die they are gonna kick a** all they way to the end of the mother lovin world and there aint not a damn thing you can do about it
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AC/DC - takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' ! For God's sake...they' r e almost in their 60's and they continue to make great Rock'n'Roll ! Just so great...they play Rock the way it was, ( and IS ) , supposed to be played - with their heart and souls...( and their balls too ) ! AC/DC : The World's Greatest Rock Band ! ( er ? the rolling... who ? )
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they have been rocking forever...th e y are the best no stupid ballets just turn it up rock...love them!
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loved them sinced high school and was a favorite party band to listen to, especially when getting boozed up. Love them guys,,, Angus rocks!
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