AC/DC stands as one of the most legendary bands in hard rock, emerging from Australia but deeply influenced by the British scene. Initially led by Bon Scott, who tragically passed away in 1980, the band is now fronted by English vocalist Brian Johnson. The Young brothers, Malcolm and Angus, hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, have been at the core of AC/DC’s sound and success.
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, AC/DC took the hard rock sound, inspired by icons like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and made it their own. They burst into global prominence with timeless hits like “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell.” Today, Johnson and Angus continue to lead AC/DC into its fifth decade, captivating audiences with their classic tracks.
The band features a solid rhythm section, including Phil Rudd on drums and Cliff Williams on bass. Following Malcolm Young’s passing, his nephew Stevie Young joined as the rhythm guitarist. During their exhilarating arena tours, each member has their own favorite song to perform live.
For Brian Johnson, the early ’80s material stands out. After Scott’s death, the band’s future hung in the balance, but Johnson’s contribution to Back in Black provided a much-needed boost. “The one I remember more than anything was one of the first songs we did,” he recalled to BraveWords, choosing “You Shook Me All Night Long” as a personal favorite. “Malcolm came down and said, ‘Right, Brian, this is a rough backing track of this song. We want to call it ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’”
Feeling nervous about his first recording with AC/DC, Johnson gave it his all, resulting in one of the decade’s most iconic rock anthems. “I remember Malcolm looking at me and Angus and Mutt, and he said, ‘I don’t know what to say. That could be one of the best rock ‘n’ roll records ever heard in a while!’ That made me feel really good,” he added.
Angus Young shared his thoughts on favorite tracks from a guitarist’s perspective. In a 2020 interview with Vulture, he highlighted two standout songs, starting with “Riff Raff.” He described the guitar work as a challenging yet interesting journey. However, when it comes to the complete experience, he cited “Thunderstruck” as a favorite for its overall impact.
In the same conversation, Angus revealed his least favorite AC/DC song: “Love Song (Oh Jene),” the lead single from their debut album, High Voltage. “When you smile, I see stars in the sky / When you smile, I see sunrise…” he recounted, recalling the lyrics with disdain.
Angus criticized the radio-friendly sound of the song, which clashed with AC/DC’s raw style. “I remember that song because someone at our record label thought it would get airplay. I thought, Who in their right mind would want this to go out?”
Fortunately, radio stations overlooked “Love Song (Oh Jene),” opting instead to play the superior B-side, a cover of the traditional blues track “Baby, Please Don’t Go.”
In the end, AC/DC’s legacy endures through their electrifying performances and anthems, driven by a passion for hard rock that resonates with fans across generations.
