AC/DC members: A rock star story
If you’re looking for a real rock and roll band, AC/DC should be the first band that comes to mind. AC/DC is one of the few bands that live the rock and roll lifestyle in every aspect; fans, music, and all-night parties. AC/DC members were the real rock stars. But life was full of surprises for them, as it is for every human being. Along with the fun moments, tragic events also haunted them.
AC/DC members: Moving to Australia
In the 60s, there was a serious wave of unemployment in Scotland. Shipbuilding was at an end. People could not find jobs and were struggling to survive. Many of these people chose to leave Scotland and move to countries where the economic situation was better and where they could find work more easily. Some of these people were the brothers Geroge Young, Malcolm Young, and Angus Young, and their parents, Margaret Young and William Young.
At that time there were commercials about Australia on TV. Australia had an immigration program. The family thought that they would be better off in Australia. While The Big Freeze was happening in Great Britain in 1963, the family decided to move to Australia and began their lives as immigrants from Scotland. The father, William Young stayed in Scottland.
After a long journey by ship, they finally arrived in Australia. Australians had welcomed the immigrants at the port with flowers and gifts. The first impression of the family was very positive.
The family was taken to an immigrant neighborhood and lived with other immigrants in the main housing. They were not happy. This is not how you had imagined paradise. But there was no turning back for the family. They stuck together and the difficulties they had made them stronger.
Even though they spoke the same language as Australians and faced the language difficulties that many refugees face, they did not see themselves as part of the Australian community. They felt they had to prove themselves. They had left their country and it had to be worth it.
When was AC/DC founded?
When the Young brothers came to Australia, it was a time when The Beatles were changing the world with music. The music was a revolution. By the time the Young brothers were teenagers, they were already interested in music. Geroge Young, the eldest of the brothers, was touring the world in the 60s as the lead singer of a band called The Easybeats. George was much more experienced in music than the other brothers and knew how to navigate the music world. They decided to form a rock band.
AC/DC was formed in Australia, in 1973. The band started with a glam rock style and was one of the best glam rock bands of the 70s. The lineup included vocalist Dave Evans, bassist Larry Van Kriedt, and drummer Colin Burgess. They wore high leather boots and silk shirts and jackets.
After a short time, Dave Evans left the group. His place was taken by Bon Scott, who changed everything. They loved to play covers of The Rolling Stones and by 1973 they had developed themselves musically. Of course, their success wasn’t just in playing covers. Those who listened to their songs also knew they would be very successful one day. One of those who believed this was session drummer Tony Currenti, who recorded High Voltage with AC/DC.
The band continued to be Australia’s best rock band and one of the best rock bands in the world until 1980 and achieved incredible success. In 1980, the first tragedy occurred.
AC/DC is moving to America
AC/DC moved to America in 1977. By that time, the band had already achieved considerable success in Australia and in the UK.
In the 70s and 80s there were a lot of successful rock bands and AC/DC seemed to be forgotten. At that point, the band made one of the best songs of QC/DC and the eyes of the whole of America turned back to the band. With High Way To Hell, AC/DC again took over the rock world.
AC/DC released their iconic album, “Highway to Hell” on July 27, 1979. It was the band’s sixth studio album and marked a significant milestone in their career. “Highway to Hell” featured some of AC/DC’s most memorable songs, including the title track “Highway to Hell,” “Girls Got Rhythm,” and “Touch Too Much.”
AC/DC members
Bon Scott
Bon Scott (Ronald Belford Scott) was born on July 9, 1946, in Kirriemuir, Scotland. He was the original lead vocalist of the group. He joined AC/DC in 1974, replacing Dave Evans as the band’s frontman. Scott’s charisma, and stage presence played a significant role in AC/DC’s rise to fame. He was a real rockstar and lived a rockstar life.
Bon Scott contributed to some of AC/DC’s most iconic albums, including “High Voltage,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” and “Highway to Hell.”
Sadly, AC/DC faced a devastating setback in 1980 when Bon Scott passed away due to alcohol poisoning. The loss of their frontman could be the end for many bands, but AC/DC decided to move on. Brian Johnson was their new lead vocalist. With Johnson, AC/DC produced one of their most iconic albums, “Back in Black,” released later that same year. The album paid tribute to Scott’s memory and became a classic
George Young
George Young was born on November 6, 1946. He was the older brother of Angus and Malcolm Young.
George Young was AC/DC’s songwriter and producer. He was the head of the band Alongside his songwriting partner Harry Vanda, George co-wrote several of AC/DC’s early hits, including “High Voltage,” “T.N.T.,” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.”
Before forming AC/DC, George Young was a member of the Australian band The Easybeats, which enjoyed success in the 1960s with hits like “Friday on My Mind.” After leaving The Easybeats, George and Harry Vanda pursued a successful career as a songwriting and production duo, working with various artists and bands in Australi
Angus Young
Angus Young was born on March 31, 1955, in Glasgow, Scotland. He is known for his schoolboy outfit and his electrifying guitar playing.
Alongside his older brother Malcolm Young, Angus formed AC/DC in 1973. He was just 18 years old at the time. He had incredible energy. Imagine a guitarist running, jumping, and crawling on the stage, with a guitar in his hand, in a school uniform, during the whole concert.
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young was born on January 6, 1953, in Glasgow, Scotland. Alongside his younger brother Angus Young, Malcolm formed AC/DC in 1973. He was one of the original members of AC/DC.
He co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits, including “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
After forty years of AC/DC, there were changes in Malcolm’s life. On the release of their last studio album “Rock Or Bust” in 2014, Angus Young and Brian Johnson gave an interview to the Australian TV station ABC. There they talked not only about the musical background of their fifteenth release but also about Malcolm’s health problems
Despite battling health issues, Malcolm remained a dedicated member of AC/DC until 2014 when he retired from the band due to the progression of dementia. Malcolm Young passed away on November 18, 2017.
What is AC/DC’s best-selling album?
AC/DC’s best-selling album to date is “Back in Black.” It was released in 1980 and achieved remarkable commercial success “Back in Black” has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. It is one of the highest-selling albums of all time. The album’s popularity was driven by iconic tracks like, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Hells Bells.”
How many albums did AC/DC sell?
AC/DC sold more than 200 million albums. The band is the personified epitome of rock and one of the biggest bands in the world.
Here are some of the most successful albums of AC/DC:
1. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” – 1976
It features tracks like the title song, “Problem Child,” and “Big Balls” and achieved significant success in Australia. It has sold over 6 million copies in the United States alone.
2. “Highway to Hell” – 1979
“Highway to Hell” was released just before Bon Scott’s untimely death. It has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
3. “Back in Black” – 1980
“Back in Black” is the most successful album of AC/DC. It was a tribute to the late vocalist Bon Scott. “Back in Black” includes iconic tracks like the title track, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Hells Bells.” It has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
4. “For Those About to Rock We Salute You” – 1981
Following the massive success of “Back in Black,” AC/DC continued their streak with this album. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and has sold over 4 million copies in the United States.
5. “The Razors Edge” – 1990
It features the hit single “Thunderstruck,” which became one of their most successful songs. Other well-known tracks include “Moneytalks” and “Are You Ready.” “The Razors Edge” has sold over 5 million copies in the United States.
AC/DC is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their contribution to the world of rock music is priceless. They 100% lived and breathed the lifestyle called rock & roll.
We thank them for giving us these moments and leaving us a legacy of songs that will never be forgotten.
What is your favorite AC/DC album? Let us know in the comments!
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