AC/DC made one of the greatest comebacks in rock on this day.
After losing their beloved front man Bon Scott in a tragic alcohol-related death, the band was in a difficult position and breaking up was on everyone’s mind.
It was even more devastating since the group had just reached the tipping point of their success with 1979’s Highway To Hell. AC/DC had a bright future ahead of them, but unfortunately Scott would never get to see any of it.
Following the funeral, Scott’s parents convinced the band that their son would’ve wanted them to continue the legacy they started. Having their blessing, AC/DC was back on course.
Numerous people were considered for a replacement including Slade vocalist Noddy Holder. But ultimately everybody had their eyes on Geordie front man: Brian Johnson.
Angus Young sought out Johnson after remembering Bon Scott himself praise the singer, having seen his live performance in England a few years back. He was the only person for the job and Johnson proved it after blowing the band away with his unique vocal style.
Without a single doubt, AC/DC hired him and flew out to The Bahamas to record their first album together.
Less than a year after Scott’s death, Back In Black was released and the tour had begun. One of the most incredible revivals PERIOD.
Not only did they build off the breakthrough of Highway To Hell, AC/DC skyrocketed beyond any band in musical history. The album was a commercial explosion. They had topped themselves in sales a million times over.
The opening track, Hells Bells, is the sound of revitalization in the group. It was an epic way to introduce the world to the new voice of AC/DC. But it doesn’t stop there, not even close…
Every song is a hit: Shoot To Thrill, Back In Black, You Shook Me All Night Long, Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, one after the other. It’s amazing how consistent the entirety of Back And Black really is. Each tune filled with Johnson’s glass-shattering vocals and Young’s unstoppable shredding, it was clear they hadn’t lost a step.
Nowadays, the album is hailed as a classic rock masterpiece. A historical achievement in the music business. Back In Black is 22× multi-platinum, has sold 50 million copies worldwide, and the second-highest-selling album of all time.
AC/DC flourished beyond comprehension and became legends in a time when all the odds were stacked up against them.
Leave a Reply