Angus Young, the electrifying lead guitarist of AC/DC, has long been known for his brash, no-nonsense attitude toward music and his unfiltered opinions. His unapologetic character is as much a part of his legacy as his scorching guitar riffs. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Young has always embraced the raw, rebellious side of rock ‘n’ roll, often speaking his mind about other bands, especially those from the so-called “musical elite.”
One of Young’s most memorable critiques came in an old interview where he threw serious shade at Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. Known for his sharp wit, Young wasn’t afraid to speak candidly about what he thought of the Stones’ shift in musical direction.
“If I was at a Rolling Stones show, I’d yawn my head off and end up walking out to the bar,” he stated, adding that their move toward soul music wasn’t fitting for a rock ‘n’ roll band. “The Rolling Stones get up and play soul music these days, and this is supposed to be rock’n’roll. Leave that to the people who do it best, the [African Americans].”
Young’s comments seemed aimed directly at Mick Jagger’s ongoing push to explore new musical territories. While Jagger and the Stones became synonymous with R&B and soul influences, Young firmly believed that the band was losing touch with the pure energy of rock ‘n’ roll.
For Young, sticking to a genre was a restriction, and it was clear that he had no interest in categorizing rock music into neat little boxes. He felt that the Stones’ experimentation, while innovative in its own right, wasn’t the same kind of raw, untamed energy he associated with real rock ‘n’ roll.
He wasn’t done yet. “If the Stones played what they do best, they’d be a helluva lot better and they’d probably find themselves at ease,” he continued, implying that the Stones had strayed too far from their roots.
To Young, the essence of rock ‘n’ roll wasn’t about trying to be something you weren’t—it was about authenticity, fire, and attitude. He had no patience for the “serious” side of rock, either. “If I went to see somebody that was ‘musical,’ I’d yawn my head off. I’d end up walking out to the bar,” he declared. “Bands like this would be a bore to see, unless they had some Sheila strippin’ off.”
This was the essence of Angus Young—the fearless, unapologetic figure who believed rock music should be exciting and straightforward. While his comments about Mick Jagger and the Stones may have been harsh, they were consistent with his character: an artist driven by pure, unfiltered energy and a refusal to bend to the expectations of others.
In the interview, Young summed up his stance on music and performance: “I don’t know anybody who’s gone to see any of those serious bands who’ve enjoyed it. They may say it was great, that the music was good, but somewhere during that set they were bored and were too scared to admit it.” For Young, rock ‘n’ roll was about excitement, not introspection—and it’s clear he wasn’t going to let anyone forget it.
Through his comments, we see that Angus Young’s philosophy of rock was much more than music—it was a lifestyle, an attitude, and a clear rejection of anything that wasn’t authentic to him. Whether it was his disdain for the so-called musical elite or his belief that rock should never be boring, Young’s words were a reflection of his true character: bold, brash, and always unapologetically himself.
