AC/DC
AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The band are considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Its members, however, have always classified their music as "rock 'n' roll".
AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album Highway to Hell. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their largest selling album, Back in Black.
The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was also highly successful and was their first album to reach No. 1 in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity soon after the departure of drummer Phil Rudd in 1983. Poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well received by critics. A new album was announced in 2004 and is expected sometime in 2008.
AC/DC have sold 68 million albums in the U.S. alone. Back in Black has sold an estimated 42 million units worldwide and 22 million in the U.S. alone, making it the 5th highest-selling album ever in the USA. AC/DC are ranked fourth on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and were ranked by MTV the 7th "Greatest Heavy Metal Band Of All Time".
The NameAngus and Malcolm Young developed the idea for the band's name after seeing the acronym "AC/DC" on the back of a sewing machine
by their sister, Margaret. "AC/DC" is an abbreviation for "alternating current/direct current", which indicates that an electrical device can use either type of power. The brothers felt that this name symbolized the band's raw energy and power-driven performances, and the name stuck.
In some cultures, "AC/DC" is a slang term for bisexuality; the band have said that they were not aware of this usage until it was brought to their attention by a taxi driver one night after a concert early in their career. Some religious figures have suggested that the name stands for "Anti-Christ/Devil's Child(ren)", "Anti-Christ/Death to Christ" and "After Christ/Devil Comes".
"AC/DC" is pronounced one letter at a time, though the band are popularly known as "Acca Dacca" in Australia. The name has inspired tribute bands, including BC/DC from the province of British Columbia, Canada; AC/DShe, An all-female group from San Francisco; and Hayseed Dixie, an Appalachian band specialising in bluegrass covers.
Band membersCurrent members
Brian Johnson – lead vocals (1980–present)
Angus Young – lead guitar (1973–present)
Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1973-present)
Cliff Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals (1977-present)
Phil Rudd – drums (1975–1983, 1994–present)
Former members
Bon Scott - lead vocals, bagpipes (1974–1980)
Simon Wright - drums (1983–1989)
Chris Slade - drums (1989–1994)
Mark Evans - bass (1975–1977)
Dave Evans - lead vocals (1973–1974)
DiscographyHigh Voltage (Aus.) -- February 1975
T.N.T. (Aus.) -- December 1975
High Voltage -- May 1976
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Aus.) -- September 1976
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (US) -- December 1976
Let There Be Rock (Aus.) -- March 1977
Let There Be Rock (US) -- June 1977
Powerage -- May 1978
Highway to Hell -- July 1979
Back in Black -- July 1980
For Those About to Rock -- November 1981
Flick of the Switch -- August 1983
'74 Jailbreak -- October 1984
Fly on the Wall -- June 1985
Who Made Who -- May 1986
Blow Up Your Video -- January 1988
The Razors Edge -- September 1990
Ballbreaker -- September 1995
Volts -- November 1997
Stiff Upper Lip -- February 2000
New Album To Be Announced This Year
LinksOfficial AC/DC SiteAC/DC MySpaceVideoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP5Z999-8jQHeatseeker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dRlUkPE3UABack In Black
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MM0CK6PAwoThunderstruck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3LXu8iHmpAFor Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
