#30 AC/DC

You have to love AC/DC. They do rock one way--loud. They are probably the only long lived band not to have a ballad of some sort. AC/DC music is straight forward, loud, and full of piss and vinegar. What’s even more amazing is the band survived the death of their front man and grew even more popular with his replacement.

AC/DC are from Australia. The brothers Young (Angus and Malcolm) formed the band in 1973. The band’s first lead singer, Bon Scott, was a rock and roll hellion. He drank himself to death after the band’s most successful album, Highway to Hell. Scott's death nearly broke the group.

Instead of disbanding, AC/DC recruited Brian Johnson for lead vocals. Johnson’s vocals are the most unique in rock and Johnson’s AC/DC debut, Black in Black, is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. AC/DC became superstars and remain so to this day. Although considered Heavy Metal pioneers, they consider themselves a regular rock band. AC/DC are Rock n Roll Hall of Famers and recently teamed with Walmart to release the multi-platinum album, Black Ice.

Rock n Roll Moment: As a youth, Bon Scott spent 9 months in juvenile detention for “giving a false name to police, having escaped legal custody, having unlawful carnal knowledge, and the theft of 12 gallons of petrol.” As an adult, Scott drank himself to death. The coroner declared it “death by misadventure.”

Essential AC/DC:

High Voltage (1976)
Highway to Hell (1979)
Back in Black (1980)

AC/DC’s Top 10:

Dirty Deeds
Back in Black
You Shook Me All Night Long
Highway to Hell
Girls Got Rhythm
Shoot to Thrill
Hells Bells
It’s A Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock n Roll
Thunderstruck
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)