AC/DC

AC/DC are an Australian hard rock band from Sydney, formed in 1973. They work mainly in hard rock, blues rock, rock, and rock and roll, and the band describes its music simply as rock and roll. They are widely regarded as a major influence on the new wave of British heavy metal and are among the best-selling music artists in history, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide. AC/DC are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Formation and early lineup

The band is founded by brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young, with Colin Burgess on drums, Larry Van Kriedt on bass guitar, and Dave Evans on lead vocals. Other early members include Neil Smith, Noel Taylor, Rob Bailey, Peter Clack, Paul Matters, and Mark Evans. The name AC/DC becomes associated with the Young brothers’ hard-edged guitar style and the group’s direct rock approach.

Albums and major changes

AC/DC release their debut album, High Voltage, in 1975, and it is issued only in Australasia. The follow-up period includes T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, Powerage, and Highway to Hell. The stable lineup that emerges after Let There Be Rock includes the Young brothers, Phil Rudd on drums, Cliff Williams on bass guitar, and Bon Scott on vocals.

After Highway to Hell, Bon Scott dies of alcohol poisoning and is replaced by Brian Johnson. Johnson’s first album with the band, Back in Black in 1980, is dedicated to Scott’s memory and becomes one of the best-selling albums of all time. The next release, For Those About to Rock, becomes the band’s first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200.

Line-up shifts and later releases

During the recording of Flick of the Switch, Phil Rudd is dismissed and replaced by Simon Wright, who is later succeeded by Chris Slade in 1989. The band’s 1990 album The Razors Edge brings renewed commercial success and is the only studio release to feature Slade. Rudd returns in 1994 and plays on five later albums beginning with Ballbreaker in 1995.

The band later releases Stiff Upper Lip in 2000 and Black Ice in 2008, which reaches their highest chart positions since For Those About to Rock and becomes the second best-selling album of that year. Their fifteenth studio album, Black Ice, is followed by Rock or Bust in 2014.

Recent period

In 2014, Malcolm Young retires because of early-onset dementia and dies in 2017. Stevie Young, Malcolm’s nephew, replaces him and makes his recording debut on Rock or Bust. Around the same period, Rudd faces legal charges related to threats and drug possession. During the accompanying tour, Chris Slade fills in for Rudd, while Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses temporarily replaces Brian Johnson after hearing issues force Johnson to stop performing. Following the tour, Cliff Williams retires and the band goes on hiatus.

In 2020, AC/DC reunite the Rock or Bust lineup and release Power Up, their seventeenth studio album. The supporting tour is announced in 2024, with Matt Laug on drums and Chris Chaney on bass as live members. Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams remain official members of the band.