It doesn’t get any more straightforward than AC/DC to discuss the fundamentals of great rock & roll. Even though the group sometimes sounds like they’re playing the same song over and over again. Their natural rhythm has helped define the sound of hard rock. Almost all great bands have followed suit after copying an AC/DC lick. Even though Angus Young has the right to call himself a guitar legend. He owes a great deal to the artists who came before him.
Neil Young plays with the same intensity as Jimmy Page or Joe Perry, but his musical preferences are much more diverse. He is not limited to a single genre but rather explores a wide range of musical styles. Young discovered the same licks Chuck Berry used to support early rock and roll on songs like “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny B Goode.” He learned them while polishing his first power chords.
When talking about Berry’s influence, Young told the BBC that he thought Berry to be one of the greatest representations of the original guitar hero. He added that Berry was “probably one of the great guitar people for rock and roll.” And blended a wide range of styles, including blues, jazz, and his own distinct sound. He mixed a wide variety of musical genres. But he seemed to bring them all together and make them shine through in a rock and roll kind of way.
Although Young eventually embraced Berry’s famous duckwalk whenever he took the stage. Little Richard and other musicians also influenced his style. He acted like a wild man at every AC/DC show. Little Richard, famous for his use of pancake makeup, personified musical freedom. He crafted incredible compositions using just three chords.
The same is true of Jerry Lee Lewis, who would sing songs like “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On” and send crowds into a frenzy. But Young thought Jimi Hendrix was one of the best guitarists alive even outside of the golden age of rock & roll, saying, “I was just so impressed with it.” You kind of said, “Woah!” when Hendrix appeared on the scene. I was a huge fan of that since it was “this is another level on guitar.”
Muddy Waters was one of Young’s favorite musicians. He acknowledged that, like Hendrix before him, the greatest music ever made had its roots in the blues. When talking about the influence of the well-known bluesman, Young noted that Waters took a different approach. He sang songs that focused more on life’s positive aspects than the generally gloomy vibe of blues music.
Even though Angus Young worked on his guitar voice, it’s clear that all of his impacts have influenced him. The guitarist’s ability to light up a melody on his guitar has been an attempt to bring Berry, Hendrix, and Waters together under one roof to create rock and roll bliss. Even though AC/DC is rooted in classic rock & roll. While it may not be the most difficult thing in the world. It is nearly impossible to master playing the kind of bluesy soul that Young does.
Angus Young’s favourite musicians:
- Chuck Berry
- Little Richard
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Jimi Hendrix
- Muddy Waters
