AC/DC: News, History & Updates

AC/DC Biography by Greg Prato

Excerpts from Greg’s books for Alternative Nation

BLAINE CARTWRIGHT [Nashville Pussy singer/guitarist]: People in America first saw them on The Midnight Special back in 1978—when Ted Nugent hosted. People didn’t know who they were. The Midnight Special came on Friday night, and when we all got on the school bus on Monday, we were talking about The Midnight Special, and we were talking about the band AC/DC. I had actually put a cassette recorder up to the TV—the old school ones, like an open air recorder that you talk into— and taped AC/DC. It was so good.

They played “Sin City,” and we all rushed out to get whatever album that was on. I think my friend got Powerage and I got If You Want Blood. So, that was our “big band that people didn’t know yet.” The real hardcore people that really liked music. I was just 13/14 years old. We had seen their album covers, and we didn’t know what to think—because a couple of them didn’t get released in America. So, that was kind of “the big moment.” I liked those guys ever since Powerage. There were so many rock bands back then—this is when Kiss was huge, and Led Zeppelin was still around, and the Stones were coming to town and everything else.

DON JAMIESON [That Metal Show co-host]: The first time I ever heard AC/DC was probably at my buddy’s house, and he played the song “Big Balls.” When you’re thirteen, that’s the funniest thing in the world. And come to find out, when you’re 53, it’s still the funniest thing in the world. So, that’s what struck me about AC/DC originally—the humor in the lyrics. That was something that was always present—especially with Bon [Scott]. His lyrics always had a sense of humor to them, and they were always clever—just the way he compared men’s testicles to an elegant formal event. It’s still—to this day—one of the greatest lyrical creations ever.

KK DOWNING [ex-Judas Priest guitarist]: Bon was an absolute gentleman. There was no doubt that Bon used to like to have a drink—he always had a bottle on stage with him or whatever. But I can tell you this now, when we’d get up in the morning [when Judas Priest supported AC/DC on their Highway to Hell Tour in Europe, from November 11 through December 15, 1979]—whether it was airports or whatever it was—Bon would always be there, well-dressed, well-presented. Just like he was going out for the evening.

WHITFIELD CRANE [Ugly Kid Joe singer]: [The film] Let There Be Rock—the band is on fucking fire. And of course, Judas Priest opened up that show! Just to watch what they are, it’s crazy. It’s in Paris [December 9, 1979, at Pavillon de Paris], and it captures the energy, the magnitude of the band. Just a powerful performance. It’s crazy shit.

CHUCK BILLY [Testament singer]: It’s so trippy that Highway to Hell came out just before [Bon] passed—it was such a dark record. It made me trip out…because then he passed. It was almost like, “Did he sign a deal with the devil or something?” Maybe things happen for a reason, or that was him just telling his story—who he was. That’s what left his mark on who Bon Scott was on the planet—that record.

CHRIS JERICHO [Fozzy singer]: They were smart—they went with a guy [to replace Bon] who had his own identity. He’s not a Bon Scott imitator. He’s Brian Johnson. It’s really one of those things like Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth, or Dio and Ozzy. Could Sammy sing Dave songs? Yeah. Could Ronnie sing Ozzy songs? Yeah. Could Ozzy sing Dio songs? No. Could Dave sing Sammy songs? No. Could Bon Scott sing like Brian Johnson? No. They’re two different types of singers. Brian is much more gruff.

DAVID ELLEFSON [ex-Megadeth bassist]: Brian Johnson coming in on Back in Black, the songs were great, but obviously, the line-up change helped that record take a different shape. And maybe without some of the limitations that Bon had. Maybe lyrically, his vocal range. And by Brian Johnson being more of an anonymous style of singer, it sort of stripped away some of the rowdy nature that Bon had. I don’t think AC/DC would have probably achieved the success it had with Bon. And I don’t think any of us Bon fans would have been bummed out by that at all—we would have been perfectly happy to have our beloved little AC/DC be all our own, with Bon Scott. But I think it would have absolutely changed the trajectory of their success.

SIMON WRIGHT [AC/DC drummer 1983-1989]: Because it’s just great music. Once you make great music and you go out there and you get a chance to put it in front of the people, it becomes timeless. It’s always there, it’s always around. It was just great rock n’ roll. I think the production of George Young and Harry Vanda really was important. AC/DC was still a band that was growing and learning.

They’re all pretty strong-minded people, and they really work well together—Angus and Mal, and George and Harry. We all worked well together. George and Harry have a lot more experience than Mal and Angus, so that came in handy. And George is their brother, and there is a certain chemistry between the three of them. But you could see straight away—they really get what they’re all talking about. They work it all out really well. So, I think George and Harry were a really important, integral part of the early albums.

QUOTE SOURCES (CLICK LINK FOR ORDER INFO):
All quotes are from A Rockin’ Rollin’ Man: Bon Scott Remembered