AC/DC (translated as direct alternating current) is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in November 1973 by Scottish brothers Malcolm Young and Angus Young.
Malcolm and Angus Young’s older sister, Margaret, suggested the band’s name after seeing “AC/DC” written on the back of a sewing machine. She also gave the idea to Angus to perform on stage in a school uniform, which distinguished him from other musicians. He quickly became famous also because of his provocative behavior on stage.
Along with bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, AC/DC are often regarded as the pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. The musicians themselves classified their music as rock and roll, since it is based on rhythm and blues with a characteristic “rock” sound of guitars.
The original lineup changed frequently and the band changed several drummers and bassists during 1974. In September 1974, AC/DC replaced vocalist Dave Evans with the charismatic Ronald Belford Scott, an acquaintance of George Young and former vocalist in The Spectors. Bona Scott is still ranked #1 on Classic Rock magazine’s “100 Greatest Frontmen of All Time” list.
Leading AC/DC, Bon Scott proved to be the most charismatic vocalist Australia has ever seen. His courageous and at the same time charming image attracted the attention of both female and male viewers. Bon, however, was also known for his addiction to alcohol, which later led him to tragedy. Meanwhile, in spite of everything, from this event the path of the AC / DC group to success began.
On February 19, 1980, Bon Scott, in a state of extreme intoxication after another party in London’s Camden Town, was left overnight in the car of his friend Alistair Kinnear. He found Bon dead the next day. The members of the group originally planned to end their musical activities as part of AC/DC, but later decided that Bon Scott would like the group to continue to exist. The musicians tried several candidates for the position of the vocalist, and in the end they chose Brian Johnson, the vocalist of the Geordie group.
In 1980, the band recorded the album Back in Black, which became the group’s best-selling album and one of the most significant in the history of rock music. Among the album’s hits, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, written in tribute to Bon Scott, is considered by many to be the quintessential AC/DC music. To date, this album is the third best-selling album in history. In memory of Scott, its cover was made completely black.
AC/DC has been cited as a major influence by many later artists and rock bands, including Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Nirvana. Most rock musicians credit AC/DC for their high energy, grounded and anti-commercial approach to rock music.
