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AC/DC

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

AC/DC is an Australian rock band, founded in Sydney in November 1973 by the brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who had come from Scotland with their family as children. They saw the name on an electrical appliance belonging to their sister Margaret: alternating current and direct current, an image for the band's raw energy. The school uniform that Angus wore on stage was also her idea. Malcolm played rhythm guitar, Angus lead. Their older brother George Young produced the first records together with Harry Vanda. In 1974 Bon Scott became the singer.

Music and breakthrough

After the Australian albums High Voltage and T.N.T. (1975) the band signed to Atlantic in 1976 and moved to England. Let There Be Rock (1977) and Highway to Hell (1979) followed. In February 1980 Scott died. The English singer Brian Johnson took his place, and that same year Back in Black appeared, one of the best-selling albums of all time. With The Razors Edge (1990), featuring Thunderstruck, came a new period of success. Malcolm Young stopped in 2014 because of dementia and died three years later. In 2020 Power Up appeared.

Influence

AC/DC simply calls its own music rock 'n' roll: short, hard songs built on simple guitar riffs, with a tight, stomping rhythm section. The roots lie in the blues and Australian pub rock. The band had a great influence on British heavy metal bands such as Def Leppard and Saxon. Their riffs are so recognisable that an AC/DC song can often be guessed after just a few notes.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Thunderstruck and notice the beginning: Angus Young plays a fast, repeated little figure on a single string. Hear how the band then comes in and slowly builds the song up to full power.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: ArtistsHard rock and heavy metal