Although many fans label AC/DC as a heavy metal band, they truly embody the essence of classic rock. With Brian Johnson’s powerful vocals and Angus Young’s head-banging riffs, AC/DC stands out in a genre that transcends the heavy metal tag. The band drew inspiration from the heavier rock acts of the late 1960s and early ’70s, like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, but their influence reaches far beyond the confines of metal.
Malcolm and Angus Young founded AC/DC fueled by their love for the rock ‘n’ roll pioneers of the 1950s. While one might expect Angus to gravitate towards The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers, he revealed in a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone that Chuck Berry remains his ultimate guitar hero.
His dedication to Berry’s legendary duck walk has become a hallmark of AC/DC performances over the decades. “I plug into a lot of old rock and roll,” Angus explained. “Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis—I love all that stuff. If I get a chance on my way to a gig, I’ll put one of their tapes on. They’re good vibe meters, and I still get off on them.”
Angus’s penchant for uplifting rock is evident throughout AC/DC’s discography. Yet, it’s surprising to learn that he doesn’t have a high opinion of The Rolling Stones. In a conversation with Classic Rock, he admitted he would “yawn my head off” at a Rolling Stones concert.
Angus elaborated, criticizing The Stones for what he sees as a lack of original contributions over the past five decades, claiming they’ve made a living by imitating African American music.
“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,” he asserted.
Since their formation in 1962, The Rolling Stones have celebrated Black American music, initially covering rhythm and blues classics. Led early on by Brian Jones, they immersed themselves in blues, paying homage to greats like Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson. Over the years, they started to infuse their original material with these influences.
A faction of Rolling Stones fans champions the band’s early blues roots, and Angus seems to share this sentiment. However, he believes the band lost its way after releasing singles like “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Street Fighting Man” in 1968. “They must have progressed the wrong way,” Angus remarked. “I’ll tell you when it stopped getting good—when The Rolling Stones put out ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Street Fighting Man’. Past that, there’s nothing.”
Interestingly, this critique may seem misplaced, as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Street Fighting Man” are often viewed as a return to the band’s rock roots, following their psychedelic experiments in albums like Between the Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request.
In 1969, The Rolling Stones entered what many fans consider their golden era, moving from Brian Jones to guitar virtuoso Mick Taylor and esteemed producer Jimmy Miller. The albums Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St. showcased an eclectic sound, with enduring hits like “Gimme Shelter” and “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.”
Surprisingly, Angus believes this era marked the band’s decline. “If The Stones played what they do best, they’d be a hell of a lot better, and they’d probably find themselves at ease,” he stated with noticeable disdain.
In closing, Angus expressed his bewilderment at big rock bands that feel compelled to constantly reinvent themselves. “I don’t know anybody who’s gone to see any of those serious bands who’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “They may say it was great and the music was good, but somewhere during that set, they were bored and too scared to admit it.”
