Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Music»Artists - A to K»Artists - A
    Artists - A Music - 1970s Music - 1980s 5 Mins Read

    AC/DC

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia, by ex-patriot Scotsmen Malcolm and Angus Young (brothers of George Young – one of the mainstays of 60s Aussie supergroup, The Easybeats).

    Their sister suggested Angus should wear his school uniform on stage, a gimmick that would still be in use more than twenty years into the band’s career.

    The band made their debut at the Chequers club in Sydney along with Dave Evans (vocals), Larry Van Knedt (bass) and Colin Burgess (drums) and in July 1974, recorded a rather Glam number called Can I Sit Next To You Girl? which became their first single, in July 1974.

    A move to Melbourne brought yet another change as Mark Evans (bass) and Phil Rudd (drums) were brought in. One night when Dave Evans refused to go on stage, the band’s van driver, Bon Scott (real name Ronald Belford Scott), was asked to take over.

    Evans moved on to front Aussie glam-rockers, Rabbit, and in Scott AC/DC now had the perfect combination of rasping, sleazy vocals, a knack for smutty lyrics and a magnetic frontman able to hold his own against Angus’ bad-schoolboy image.

    Reflecting on Scott’s first AC/DC gig in Adelaide in 1974, Angus Young remembered; “Bon downed two bottles of bourbon with dope, coke, speed and says ‘I’m ready'”. The pace was set.

    Bon Scott, school uniform-clad Angus and his brother Malcolm kept up the frenzy to establish AC/DC as one of the world’s top heavy rock bands.

    Having signed to Albert Productions the next couple of years brought the release of High Voltage (1974) and TNT (1975). The pop-glam that had influenced their first single had been stripped away and instead their love of blues-based rock and roll gave them a raucous and raw studio sound.

    Neither record was officially released outside Australia but upon signing to Atlantic and moving base to the UK a selection of the material was compiled from their two Australian albums and released as High Voltage (1975).

    Their first UK headlining tour was dubbed ‘Lock Up Your Daughters’, whilst the summer of 1976 brought an appearance at the Reading Festival and the winter, the release of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – yet another collection of tracks from the Australian albums and not to be confused with the Antipodean version bearing the same name.

    acdc65

    By now the band were alternating their touring and recording schedules at a hectic pace and with Let There Be Rock (1977) the band at last began to produce classic material.

    The album made them a chart act in the UK – some feat considering much of the rock world was gripped by punk at the time – and the mighty Powerage (1978), featuring hit single Rock and Roll Damnation, proved the addictive power of simple rock and roll.

    As a live attraction, their appeal was simply staggering; widely acknowledged as one of the all-time great live rock albums If You Want Blood You’ve Got It (1978) remains a definitive statement to this day and peaked at #13 in the UK charts.

    acdc_028The album was recorded live in the Young brothers’ birthplace of Glasgow.

    It was not until Highway To Hell (1979) that they became true international stars.

    The bad-boy image coupled with their risqué lyrics made them obvious targets for moral extremists and also ensured that the US finally took notice; it became their first million-seller and peaked in America at #17.

    This first highly successful collaboration with producer Mutt Lange and his unerring production sensibilities also proved to be the last with Bon Scott.

    Having been on a heavy drinking binge in Camden Town on 19 February 1980, Scott was found dead in a car in Dulwich, South London the following day, after choking on his own vomit. The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure via “acute alcohol poisoning” – he had literally ‘drunk himself to death’.

    A lifelong renegade who had spent his teenage years in and out of jail, Scott had been one of the main attractions and it seemed inconceivable that AC/DC could go on.

    Incredibly the band found Brian Johnson (former lead singer with UK band Geordie) and were recording a new album within two months.

    Back in Black (1980) was a storming return to form and went on to sell over 10 million copies over the next decade in the US alone. The perfect hard rock album, it turned AC/DC into superstars.

    The subsequent years have seen the band sticking to an increasingly relaxed schedule with bouts of touring carefully planned to support each unchanging release; For Those About To Rock (1981), Flick Of The Switch (1983), Fly On The Wall (1985), Who Made Who (1986), Blow Up Your Video (1988), The Razors Edge (1990) and Ballbreaker (1995). 

    Christmas 1997 brought the band’s tribute to Bon Scott, Bonfire. it included some classic concert recordings as well as a disc of unreleased demos and live rarities. It also served as a useful stop-gap exercise whilst the band started work on a new studio album, Stiff Upper Lip (2000).

    The group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2003 and released their 15th album, Black Ice, in 2008. They promoted it with a series of successful sell-out stadium shows around the world, showing that even though they were now bus-pass eligible they could still rock with the best of ’em.

    The world may always call them “ey see dee see” but in Australia, they will forever be known as “Acker Dacker”.

    Angus Young 
    Guitar
    Bon Scott 
    Vocals
    Malcolm Young 
    Guitar
    Mark Evans 
    Bass
    Phil Rudd 
    Drums
    Brian Johnson 

    Vocals
    Rob Bailey 
    Bass
    Cliff Williams 

    Bass
    Simon Wright
    Drums
    Chris Slade
    Drums
    Steve Young
    Guitar
    Peter Clack
    Drums
    Dave Evans
    Vocals
    Larry Van Knedt
    Bass
    C
    olin Burgess
    Drums

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Jeff St John and The ID/The Copperwine
      Jeff St John and The ID/The Copperwine
      Jeffrey Leo Newton was born on 22 April 1946 in Sydney. He began his singing career by joining a church…
    • Cheek/Punkz
      Cheek/Punkz
      Although based on a seemingly foolproof formula, it was probably the ultra-commercial pop image that contributed to Cheek's eventual demise.…
    • Proteens, The
      Proteens, The
      The Proteens were a young Sydney band inspired by Sixties girl groups like The Ronettes and The Crystals. Their line-up…
    • Throb, The
      Throb, The
      Drummer Pete Figures and guitarist Marty Van Wynk had been playing together in various groups around Sydney (Australia) for some…
    • Models, The
      Models, The
      The Models formed in 1978 from the remnants of two ill-fated Suicide record label bands, Teenage Radio Stars and Jab.…
    • Band Of Light
      Band Of Light
      Band of Light was a blues-based group formed in October 1972 in Sydney (Australia) by Phil Key, with bassist Peter…
    • O Band, The (A Band Called O)
      O Band, The (A Band Called O)
      Hailing from Jersey in the Channel Islands and originally known as The Parlour Band, A Band Called O played Prog…
    • Dinosaur Jr
      Dinosaur Jr
      Although these Massachusetts guitar-squallers were initially presented as a punkish proposition, they turned out to be a throwback - long-haired…

    Australia
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous Article10,000 Maniacs
    Next Article Acid House

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Patton (1970)
      Franklin J Schaffner’s complex study of the […]
    • Sea Hunt
      1 9 5 7 – 1 9 6 0 (USA) 155 x 30 minute episodes Although […]
    • Sacred Cowboys, The
      Comprised of former members of some of the most notorious punk […]
    • Reels, The
      The Reels were the first Australian band of any note to emerge […]
    • Wizard of Wor
      “Fight me! I am the Wizard of Wor!” Part Pac-Man, part Alien, […]
    • Correlli
      1 9 9 5 (Australia) 10 x 50 minute episodes Deborra-Lee Furness […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    5 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    6 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends. 

If they only knew what lay ahead . . .

    A very young Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison and friends.

    If they only knew what lay ahead . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 18
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    I always hated the Beatles, and as it happens I still do.

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.