AC/DC is an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by two Scottish-born brothers, Malcolm and Angus Young. A true rock and roll band, often referred to as “Acadacca,” they released their first album, High Voltage in 1975. In 1980, they released their breakthrough album, Highway to Hell, but unfortunately, less than a year after its release, Bon Scott (the lead singer) died of acute alcohol poisoning after a night of heavy drinking. They nearly broke up, but Scott’s family pleaded with them to continue, and they brought in Brian Johnson as Scott’s replacement. With Brian, they released Back in Black, which became one of the best selling albums of all-time.
Current members
Angus Young is the co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and only remaining original member of AC/DC. An exciting performer, everyone is familiar with his schoolboy-uniform stage outfits and his unique style on stage, but he’s also a world-class guitarist, and was ranked 24th in Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest guitarists of all-time list. Born in Glasgow in 1955, his family moved to Australia when he was seven years old in 1963.
Brian Johnson is the lead vocalist for AC/DC and is the third lead singer for the band, coming in to replace Bon Scott after his death. Before this chapter, Brian was a founding member of the rock band Geordie, which achieved hit singles in the UK. Born in 1947, he stepped away from AC/DC in 2016 due to hearing problems, but rejoined the band in 2018 when they recorded the album, Power Up.
Phil Rudd is the drummer for AC/DC, although he has an interesting past with the band, and has joined and left three times! He joined the band in 1977 and was the only Australian-born member at the time. Famed for his unique style and sound, he was born in Melbourne in 1954 and his full name was Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecius, to parents of German and Irish heritage, but he also had a Lithuanian stepfather.
Cliff Williams is the bass player and backing vocalist for AC/DC. Born in the UK in 1949, he kicked off his professional music career in 1967, performing with two English bands, Home and Bandit. Cliff considered retiring from music, but was convinced to audition for AC/DC in 1977 and was offered the job. He attempted to retire again, this time from AC/DC in 2016, but like Phil, returned to the band for their 2020 album, Power Up.
Stevie Young is the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for AC/DC. He joined the band in 2014 when he stepped in to replace his uncle, Malcolm Young, who was forced to retire due to dementia. He had already performed with AC/DC in 1988, when they toured the US, and was officially named a member of the band towards the end of 2014.
Previous members
- Bon Scott – (1974–1980) (until his death) lead vocals, occasional bagpipes
- Malcolm Young – (1973–2014) (died 2017) rhythm guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead, guitar and bass guitar
- Dave Evans – (1973–1974) lead vocals
- Chris Slade – (1989–1994), (2015–2016) drums, percussion
- George Young – (1974–1975) (died 2017) bass guitar, backing vocals and rhythm guitar
- Colin Burgess – (1973–1974), (1975-1975) drums
- Mark Evans – 1975–1977 bass guitar
- Simon Wright – (1983–1989) drums, percussion
- Peter Clack – (1974–1975) drums
- Noel Taylor – (1974-1974) drums
- Paul Matters – (1975-1975) (died 2020) bass guitar
- Rob Bailey – (1974–1975) bass guitar
- Ron Carpenter – (1974-1974) drums
- Russell Coleman – (1974-1974) drums
- Neil Smith – (1974-1974) (died 2013) bass guitar
- Larry Van Kriedt – (1973–1974) (1975-1975) bass guitar, saxophone
- Tony Currenti – (1974–1975) drums
Personal reflection
I love AC/DC, their music is awesome. I’m a big fan of Brian Johnson’s voice because it’s raspy. Angus Young is definitely one of my favorite guitar players. His guitar playing is wicked. Just listen to TNT and you’ll understand why I love him.
Links
Website
Spotify
