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AC/DC:
AC/DC's mammoth power-chord roar became one of the most influential hard rock
sounds of the '70s. In its own way, it was a reaction against the pompous art
rock and lumbering arena rock of the early '70s. AC/DC's rock was minimalist
-- no matter how huge and bludgeoning the guitar chords were, there was a clear
sense of space and restraint. Combined with Bon Scott's larynx-shredding vocals,
the band spawned countless imitators over the next two decades.
AC/DC was formed in 1973 in Australia by guitarist Malcolm Young after his band,
the Velvet Underground. The group released two albums – “High Voltage” and “TNT” – in
Australia in 1974 and 1975. Material from the two records comprised the 1976
release “High Voltage” in the U.S. and U.K.; the group also toured
both countries. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” followed at the end
of the year. In the fall of 1977, AC/DC released “Let There Be Rock,” which
became their first album to chart in the U.S.
“
Powerage,” released in spring of 1978, expanded their audience even further,
thanks in no small part to their dynamic live shows (which were captured on 1978's
live “If You Want Blood, You've Got It”). What really broke the doors
down for the band was the following year's “Highway to Hell,” which
hit number 17 in the U.S. and number eight in the U.K., becoming the group's
first million-seller.
After 1983's “Flick of the Switch,” the band's commercial standing
began to slip; they were able to reverse their slide with 1990's “The Razor's
Edge,” which spawned the hit "Thunderstruck." While not the commercial
powerhouse they were during the late '70s and early '80s, they still maintain
their status as a top international concert draw. |
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