AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The band are considered pioneers of hard rock, alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath. Its members, however, have always classified their music as " rock 'n' roll".
AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album, Highway to Hell. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their biggest-selling album, Back in Black.
The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was also highly successful and was the first hard rock album to reach #1 in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity, soon after the departure of drummer Phil Rudd in 1983. Poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well-received by critics. A new album is expected in 2007.
AC/DC have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, including more than 68 million albums in the U.S. Back in Black has sold 42 million units worldwide, including 21 million in the U.S., making it the second-highest-selling album ever internationally, and the biggest-selling album by any band. The band is ranked fourth on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Brian Johnson (born October 5 1947 in Dunston, Gateshead, England) is a singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist for the Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. He currently lives in Sarasota, Florida.
In 1972, Johnson formed the glam rock band Geordie and became their lead singer. However, after a few hit singles, the band split up in 1978. Johnson reformed Geordie in 1980, however, just after a record deal had been signed, he was asked to audition for AC/DC. A few days after the audition, Johnson was told he would be replacing Bon Scott as the lead vocalist of the band. Johnson's first album with AC/DC, Back in Black, is the band's biggest selling album.
Johnson's sartorial trademark is his cap. Originally, he wore a flat cap, once regarded as a symbol of Tyneside, but in recent years, he has occasionally worn a baseball cap instead.
- June 29, 2007 — Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams along with Steve Luongo and Mark Hitt recorded new songs for a fund raising tour named "Classic Rock Cares". Their first single "Chain Gang on the Road" has been presented recently, but the band doesn't have a name. Williams stated that "the Young brothers have been writing new material, but there’s no telling when that will crystallize into an album." (Read more)
- January 2, 2007 — AC/DC Maximum Rock & Roll, a book by Murray Engleheart and Arnaud Durieux covering the biography of AC/DC has been released. (Read more)
- December 12, 2006 — The Daily Mirror revealed that AC/DC have been asked to headline the 2007 Slane Concert in Ireland. (Read more)
- November 12, 2006 — Brian Johnson won Sky One's racing competition programme, The Race. (Read more)
- August 24, 2006 — Angus Young was named Kerrang! legend on the 2006 Kerrang! Awards, and editor Paul Brannigan referred to AC/DC as "one of the most important and influential rock bands in history." (Read more)
- April 13, 2006 — According to The Age, AC/DC came second in a list of Australia's highest-earning entertainers for 2005. (Read more)
- January 2006 — It has been reported that AC/DC are working on a new studio album. According to Malcolm Young, "the band is currently recording and writing material for the eagerly anticipated next album, but no release date has been set." (Read more)
- "It keeps you fit - the alcohol, nasty women, sweat on stage, bad food - it's all very good for you."
- — Bon Scott (when asked about touring)
- "I've never had a message for someone in my entire life. Except maybe to give out my room number."
- — Bon Scott
- "It's just rock and roll. A lot of times we get criticized for it. A lot of music papers come out with: 'When are they going to stop playing these three chords?' If you believe you shouldn't play just three chords it's pretty silly on their part. To us, the simpler a song is, the better, 'cause it's more in line with what the person on the street is."
- — Angus Young
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