How Angus Young & Bon Scott Created the Blue Print for AC DC's Future | Professor of Rock
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2021
- One night brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young were jamming in the studio after hours… when suddenly Angus had an idea for a riff that he immediately played. The Riff would change everything for AC/DC: Highway to Hell produced by Mutt Lange and sung by Bon Scott broke the band in America for good. the story is next.
Thank you to this Episodes Sponsor, Zenni Optical
Incredible Prices on New Glasses - bit.ly/ZenniOpticalShop
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Jason White, Monique McCartha, Greg Rutledge, Jack Mongan
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out My Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's 80s Store
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store - bit.ly/ProfessorMerch
Access To Backstage Content
Become a Patron - bit.ly/ProfessorofRockVIPFan
Purchase The Albums
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpForPremiumContent
bit.ly/Facebook_Professor_of_...
bit.ly/Instagram_Professor_of...
#70s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 70s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
If you've ever owned records, cassettes and CD's at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.
IN the grand scheme of things bands come and go. One day they're on top another day their being dropped by their label but when the dust settles and 40 or 50 years pass by, we see who the real titans of music are, who has and will stand the test of time beyond the flavor of the week or even a few big album. With that in mind, there is no question that AC/DC has endured as much as any band in rock history. Metallica, U2, Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Journey, Fleetwood Mac even the Rolling Stones all stand behind AC/DC in terms of record sales in the US.
AC/DC is essentially tied with Pink Floyd and only the Beatles Led Zeppelin and the Eagles are ahead in terms of rock groups. Worldwide AC/DC is in the top 20 when you consider all artists. When you take into account the biggest selling album of all time AC/DC Back in Black is the third best selling album ever on this planet, Just behind Michael Jackson thriller and Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon. I always say that If an alien from another world wanted to know what Rock and Roll is I'd just play him AC/DC or Van Halen. Which takes me to the subject of today's video. If you had to define AC/DC by one song… Dial it down to one riff that captures their essence what would it be? TO me the song and the riff that led to Back in Black, the epitomizes their sound to the masses and that influenced so many who came after, you'd be hard pressed to find something better than Highway to Hell. This riff is seismic. It's absolutely galactic.
When the band started working on the sessions for Highway to Hell, their last album with the legendary front man Bon Scott they had released five album globally, with really no support from radio in America they had designs on making it in the states. They were coming off the live album If You Want Blood and their last studio album was Powerage from 1977 which built upon their hard rock bluesy sound. they were ready for their closeup. Up to that point their album had been produced by brother George Young and Harry Vanda, who were name checked in Dire Straits' song Sultans of Swing. George and Harry had produced everything form High Voltage on up… Well the band's label Atlantic Records who had rejected their 1976 album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap were of the belief that ACDC was ready to blow up in America but felt that the band needed a different producer at the helm. The band members were against this. Out of loyalty to their brother and friend. - บันเทิง
![MOBYE - มีใจทำไมไม่จีบ (ASAP) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dCOdz92FU18/mqdefault.jpg)
Poll: What are the top 3 songs from both AC/DC eras (Bon Scott & Brian Johnson)?
All of them
Back In Black
Highway To Hell
You Shook Me All Night
I'd have to add in Dirty Deeds to BS era
Dirty deeds. Hells Bells
Highway to hell. Thunderstruck
Whole lot a Rosie. Back in Black
Bon. Brian
To me, Highway to Hell, Back in Black and Thunderstruck.
One of my favourite Angus quotes, paraphrased from memory...
'A lot of people accuse us of making the same album a dozen times. That really hurts my feelings, we made the same album 15 times!'
Metallica records all sound the same to me . I prefer early AC/DC
It's true, y'know. Their songs all sound more or less the same. But then again, so did Chuck Berry's.
And all still getting play 30 years later
@@johnnynovax exactly. Sure, they kept in a certain .... Sound.... But what a fucking sound it was. To me they are like the menu at In N Out... Short, simple, not a lot of diversity.... But everything on it is really fucking good.
@@voodoochild1975az - boring, zzzzzzz
One of my fondest memories of this song is that my father had the intro guitar as his ringtone on his phone before he passed away. He had asked me to make that song his ringtone but with old flip phones we could only find the intro sequence, but he loved it. Every time someone called him, he would say "My son made that my ringtone. Awesome, right?" Biggest smile... I miss it. Every time I hear this song, I think of him. Rocking out in heaven.
That’s precious bro, thanks for being an awesome son.
Sorry for your loss. I'm sure this meant a lot to him.
Everyone's dad had this as a ringone
Nice memory, God bless.
Cool 👍
I still miss Bon Scott. He was such a character. AC/DC was one of the great things about being a teenager, in Australia, in the 1970’s.
I got Bon's autograph when they came to Bunbury W.A Wish I still had it.
ACDC the best band eva! I graduated from high school in Southern California that year before moving back to Australia. My friends didn't get them at first. But when I explained, then they did.
No coMParison to Bon . Had a tough time with Brian myself ….. he’s good but he ain’t no Bon !!!!!!!
I discovered ACDC in the 80s with Back in Black. I thought that album was OK. Then i checked out their older albums and discovered the Bon Scott stuff. I love that stuff so much more. The guy was a true poet! Particularly love Highway to Hell, High Voltage, Powerage.
AC/DC IS one of the great things about being Aussie
It still amazes me that, in the space of 6 years, Bon Scott went from a virtual nobody to rock sensation &, now, 40 years later, a rock legend; the man may die but, a legend live forever...
He had a career in Australia with other bands,even won a countrywide competition of bands,but it fell apart and he thought it was over
Now it happens after some singing show
The Bon Scott to Brian Johnson transition is the smoothest in rock history... both just awesome singers with an instantly recognizable tone... Pure, organic rock and roll!
I agreed with that for sure.
And to add to that thought, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a better album opener than "Hells Bells." Just perfect.
I hated Rock and Roll music. My first and only fave became AC⚡DC. As a newbie to the band I had no idea there were two singers. Till someone asked me whom I liked best, Bon or Brian. I was like
😱😳🤯😮🤔 😱😳🤯😮🤔
😱😳🤯😮🤔 😱😳🤯😮🤔
Couldn't have said it better!
@limelight81 I'm sure I heard Brian Johnson say it himself when he went for an audition in an interview
It is a damn shame Bon never got to see how big AC/DC has become!
Really is. I've grown up without him ever being alive but I wish we could have had more. The man was the real deal. Those tattoos, that devious smile, his crackling growling vocals...
What makes you think he isn’t out there somewhere watching the mayhem? I read somewhere that the band took care of any of Bon’s mothers wants or needs after he departed this world, that’s more then enough to keep his spirit alive for them and me!🤘
YES! It is a damn shame!!
The Bon era was absolutely essential AC/DC whereas after he died only Back in Black was on the same level. For Those About to Rock had some great songs (especially the title track of course ) but as far as I am concerned there was only the odd highlight here and there from within the rest of their output.
@@NandR yeah Eye agree about Bon'Scott "R.I.P." He had the "Raw SOUL"AC/DC Stole our ❤'s/Minds'💀/and Soul's with 🌎 Rock in Peace ✨
I was 11 years old. My whole family were country music fans. We moved to a new neighborhood and an older neighbor introduced me to "Baxk In Black'. This album opened my eyes to a new style of music, new genre, new outlook.
Sidenote: who would have thought a band like AC/DC could lose an iconic voice like Bon Scott and find a replacement like Brian Johnson? Simply Amazing!
I heard a story about Angus in his early days. Someone was in the studio as Angus was recording a guitar solo. He was ripping it up in the studio and bouncing around around inside the booth. He actually jumped up on an amp and performed as he would on stage. All alone in a room and still performing.
What a legend.
a doco of their first days described coming to the Young's (ex-Easybeats - another famous Australian band) family house to discuss with the older brothers, and 16yo Angus jumping up and down with his guitar saying 'how about this' to his riffs.
So sorry, was going to like the comment but it was at 69, couldn't bring myself to change it. I'd heard it said that Angus had to have a pacemaker fitted.
If that's true and he is still jumping around the stages world wide that in itself deserves absolute respect.
I'm not surprised he hadn't put on that dad bid like the rest of us 😁
I remember me & my mates wagging school & getting the train into Melbourne. We were walking down the street when we started hearing bagpipes loud music & it was AC/DC on the back of a truck singing "It's a long way to the top".
Me & my mates were so excited but we couldn't tell anyone what we'd seen cos we were supposed to be at school.
It’s a long way to the top is an amazing song for me because who else would put a bag pipe on top of a heavy rock song? Genius idea
Only Bon could make Bagpipes Rock.
Bon Scott couldn’t play the bagpipes. The story goes one of the band members asked if he could play, he said yes! Went& got a set from somewhere, came back to the studio & tried to play. When he began, they apparently winced at how bloody terrible he was! Then said to Bon, “I thought you said you could play?!” Bon replied “Yeah, just not bloody well!”🤪🤣
It is a pity that they didn't show more imagination during the rest of their increasingly boringly predictable career.
@Totty McGee Exactly! 🥁 👍🏻
One of the greatest film clips of all time. AC/DC just rocking out whilst slowly being driven through the middle of Melbourne's CBD on the back of a truck.
Fixing broken cassettes.
The download generation will never know the struggle.
Ha ha. Great comment.
When I was a teacher I brought a cassette and a bic pen and asked them to find the relationship, the one that got close the most wrote the band's name on the sticker. That was 2006, cassettes weren't phased out that long ago. I'm still shocked.
@limelight81 yeah, I had a walkman that did just that to my copy of Slippery When Wet. Sucks balls.
Or wedging a piece of folded paper in your car stereo so the tape would align and play right. Life was a rough road back in the olden days.
@@bigtechisbigbrother8690 Amen Brother.
I am Australian & I fell in love with Bon Scott & AC⚡DC when they first appeared on an Australian music show called Countdown when I was about 12.
I bought all their albums & went to their concerts.
Then Bon Scott died.
That was the end of AC⚡DC.
UNTIL
BACK IN BLACK
I was horrified that they replaced Bon Scott so fast, so easily.
I didn't want to watch or listen to them, but as soon as i heard the first beat on their new album I was hooked. The boys were back with a new lead singer & a whole new sound & that sound blew me away.
My favourite AC ⚡DC song beyond a shadow of a doubt is THUNDERSTRUCK.
That song has been the ringtone on every mobile phone I have owned. It is also the alarm I wake up to. When you are deep in slumber & you suddenly hear a mans loud, deep, gravelly voice, suddenly saying "You've been...THUNDERSTRUCK. There's no way you're going back to sleep after that.
My kids know that when I die I want THUNDERSTRUCK played at my funeral as I am being carried out of the chapel in my coffin & if they don't... I WILL come back & haunt them.
Then Brian Johnson nearly went deaf & the band fired him & ended up with Axel Pose as the lead singer. To this day I have never watched or heard anything that Axel Pose sang with AC/DC. I refuse to hear him murder the songs of Bon Scott & Brian Johnson.
Now Brian Johnson is back where he belongs singing with the boys & all is good again.
They always have been Freaking awesome to see live in concert & now that Brian is back they are awesome again.
For me AC/DC is forever engraved in my mind with Rock N Roll Ain't Noise Pollution, one of the more underrated AC/DC songs but it's the one that would play in my mind for days
Bon Scott showed the world you can include Bagpipes into rock, that song is amazing
Animals….Sky Pilot …had pipes in 68
Bon couldn't actually play the pipes but it was a good idea.
Mutt Lang truly belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. So many bands have had his magic touch. Including Eileen Twain
Eileen Edwards from Windsor
If you mean his ex-wife Shania? Too bad he wasn’t as good a husband as he was a music producer
@@dawnliphard9591 That's life for you. You get what you want and what you don't want in the same package.
@@dawnliphard9591 Twain's so gorgeous and seems like such a sweetheart. She took care of her younger siblings when their parents died. How do you be a bad husband to her?
I know Highway To Hell’s riff is probably their most famous but I think Thunderstruck is up there too. ❤
That's my fave- thunderstruck 😍❤️😍
Back in black is close behind!
Back in black surely!
Hells bells, opening… pure rock.
AC/DC are my band, they've helped me through some extremely difficult times, the early stuff with Bon obviously being some of the best. ❤
Music is the first place I go when I need to properly process emotions. Better than drugs!
ride on❤
When I was 17 in the early seventies in a country Australian city, I attended a free concert in the local park. It was a two week old Rock and Roll band from Sydney, known as AC/DC. They were amazing. Angus was in his school uniform. At the end they smashed guitars. A drunk local yokel jumped on the stage to fight Bon. The local DJ, who was the MC, punched the fool off the stage. I knew after seeing them that the world as I knew it had changed.
Perfect story.
Dave Evans would've been singing, wouldn't he?
Lie. Hoops Hooper's comment explains why.
Lucky bastard I’m so jealous. That’s a story for the grandkids
@@Hoopsrocks He would have had to have been the singer, he was the singer on the first single and music video. A lot longer than two weeks!!!
One riff that captures their essence. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. The most kick ass intro ever!
I thought it would be Back in Black. I'm not a fan at all but that is hot stuff
Yo fr though that song and that solo is too underrated imo
Filthy Acts At A Reasonable Price
@@NoTraceOfSense Morally Questionable Actions at a penny to the dollar
@@dielaughing73 How can you not be a fan??
As an Aussie, and being from Perth WA Acca Dacca will always hold a special place in my heart. The I first songs I heard where T.N.T and it’s a long way to the top, after I heard that I was hooked. And I haven’t stopped listening to them since. 🤘🏻
Why?they're Scottish
@@roymacdonald8312 Born in Scotland and moved to Australia at a young age
Leave it 2 Bon Scott to use the pipes in a rock song!
I love that you wrote out Acca Dacca rather than type AC/DC. Even if it took longer to type!!! Legendary band from your island sir!!!!
@@roymacdonald8312Bonn was a Scott but I thought that the Youngs were English? Bonn's family came to WA and the Youngs went to NSW, I think. We have a Bonn Scott statue here in Fremantle.
Bonn went over to the Eastern States and joined the band there.
Highway to hell is supposed to be Canning Hwy and it goes from Fremantle (Freo) to Perth.
As much as I like the Brian Johnson era, I love the six albums with Bon even more. The blues sound was more prominent from both Angus and Malcolm and nobody in rock could match the naturally powerful vocals of Bon.
Amen and Ride On!
@@sylviayoung1901 Lookin' for a truck!
@@sylviayoung1901 Ride On is probably the song I've listened to the most in my life
Totally agree
Bon had a beautifully melodic voice. I don’t know any other rock singer who sang like that.
Sin City, TnT, What's Next to the Moon, Jail Break, the list goes on and on, for Bon. He was not only an incredible singer with a unique style, but imbued every song with his immutable personality, and an attitude that was immediately identifiable to anybody who listened. Bon was an absolute beast, a monster of a singer and persona, one of the greatest rock leads of all time.
Well said. I got into ACDC after Bon's demise but despite Back in Black being such a good album, the band just wasn't the same without Bon. It was missing his spirit. It was a great tragedy that they finally started seeing success just as Bon Scott died.
agreed, I would pick Sin City easily. in TNT bass make big role on the feel. But if talking to essence of AcDc riffs... Sin City have it, that style is in countless of their songs.
@Treebeard Moon too true and all tracks mentioned are killer. One of the best ftontmen ever. Period. under rated in dome instances.
Down Payment Blues!
Thank You, I could see the video in my head with the explosions and heard "died with a bullet in his back", but couldn't remember the song's title of Jail Break.
My Dads funeral was at Fremantle Cemetery as he was a huge AC/DC fan (Bon is buried there).
The last song to play as the send off for the Old Man was Highway to Hell. It was the one thing he was adamant needed to happen!
I salute your Father. Rest In Peace.
A 21 gun salute, aka, For Those About To Rock, We Salute You, would have been epic of viking proportions.
I hope you are doing okay. Take care of yourself. It was a relief to hear someone else had the same thoughts as I have
Highway to Hell was the ‘Wedding March’ played for my second marriage. Prophetic and still going down.....aaaaall the waaaaaaayyyyy!!!
I've told my wife and kids more times than I care to remember that I want Highway to hell (as I think that's where I'm headed) played at my funeral.
That’s fucking awesome.. dad got oomph ❤️❤️
1st song I heard was The Jack. I was a fan from the start! I'm 61 and if you drive my house, it's likely you will hear Bon Scott wailing and the band feeding off him. Props to Brian for keeping the fires stoked and the energy crackling at maximum potential!!
We don't care about age
My first introduction to Ac/Dc was Whole lotta Rosie. Still my favorite song of theirs. I love the riff for Highway to Hell, but love the Back in Black riff more. I’m glad the band has been uncompromising in their sound all these years, and they’ll continue to be my all time favorite
Me too! Whole Lotta Rosie was the very first song from them i ever heard. My best friends's brother was playing it in his room and i literally stopped her and said "what the hell is Casey listening to"?? And i stood by his door until the song ended 🙂 and it's still one of my favorites.
As an Aussie, It's a Long Way to the Top holds a special place in my heart.
And is practically a National Treasure to the Australian music scene.
🏆
Subscribed.
👏👏👏
Same Long way to the top was my first ACDC song I heard I was 10 1985 in grade 5 primary school first Album was BACK IN BLACK I'm 47 now and still listen to them and it's always like the first time I heard them never gets old just gets better like a fine wine
Gettin' robbed, gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up, broken boned
Getting had, getting took
I tell you folks, it's harder than it looks
The video clip is a ripper for sure!!
Definitely one of my favorites. It’s something about the bagpipes.
@@coolworx Some of the Best Darn Lyrics ever written.......Simple But Brilliant.
Malcoms B riff intro to “It’s a long way to the top….” is still the classic in my book.
"she got the jack ... " is an classic to
You can wrap up all of the Bon's era in that riff. Fuck it. In that song!
I love Malcomb's riffs just as much as Angus' and that one is the best!
Love Bon's lyrics. Almost every song had a phrase or delivery that grabs me to this day. What a rascal...😎😎
Yes. The Bad Boy Dylan. Very underrated lyricist.
It’s the soul of AC/DC that makes them so great to me. You just can’t help but FEEL their songs.
My Uncle was friends with Bon way back in the day, he got "the phone call'" and was told. He went out to the pub with a bunch of Bons mates here in Adelaide and had a drink for Bon. He said Bon was tough as nails could drink beer like it was water.
Unfortunately, he could down a 5th like water too. Was a real gut punch losing him.
42
Another great video Adam....I'm almost 57 yrs old, and Bon Scott-era AC/DC still gets me feeling all jacked up like a teenager again...it is timeless music, and resonates deeply
Me too
Real rock n roll boogie
A friend of mine in 6th grade, introduced me to this album because he liked the band and bought the album when it came out, and I immediately loved the sound. Long live Bon !
Nothing like seeing them live they just rock!! Miss Bon what a voice!!
Powerage is the definitive AC/DC album for purists. There is not a single filler on it. It is the essence of the band.
Same with Back In Black and BIB has 3 iconic songs on it not just 1 like most albums
@@brianstrutter1501 I have to disagree with that .I've always thought BinB is slightly overrated. It has four really great songs, but the rest feels like filler to me. Personal choice though. AC/ DC lost their spirit when Bon died. As he himself put it.."I am neither AC or DC, I am the lightning flash in the middle."
Agreed man!
While my fav song(s) are on Highway to Hell, there is just something magical with Powerage that grabs one by the balls and doesn’t let go until the end of the album.
Powerage is the true AC/DC fan's favorite album.
@@fifthof1795 - totally disagree. Zero filler on BIB. To me one of the most consistent albums in history
Riff Raff is by far one of the best riffs ever written.
So weird when I was younger I never got into AC/DC but when I got older, well their once of the greatest bands I've ever heard!!!
I was living in the Detroit suburbs when I first heard this song. Within days, every rock station in the metro area was playing the hell out of it. It was like the summer anthem. It was my introduction to the band and I now own the bulk of their recorded work. And, yes, I play it often and I play it LOUD.😊🎸😆
One of my favorite stories from ACDC was from a Rolling Stone interview from a number of years ago. The brothers were saying that people who complained about them always said, "They have 11 albums that all sound the same!". They're response was, "We have 12 albums, mate." That's why I love Acca/Dacca. You know what you're going to get in every album - pure Rock.
I never really pick my favorite AC/DC singer. I'm just happy that the stars aligned and AC/DC found Brian Johnson when they did. The world would not be the same place without the last 40 some odd years of AC/DC music. RIP Bon & Malcolm.
When released, I was 14 in summer of ‘79. My friend played If You Want Blood for us before I heard Highway. Still one of my favorite albums. First real guitar teacher had us bring what we listened to and wanted to play vs Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Walk All Over You was the first AC⚡️DC song I learned.
Heard a certain track about big balls as a kid and found it hilarious, played it over and over with friends giggling like kids as we were 😁
Loved them ever since.
Angus is definitely my favourite guitarist, what a performer
"But Ive got the biggest balls of them all" .....
I'm a Perth boy from the 70's, so Acca Dacca was everything. Bon Scott was always the real lead singer (even with Brian being in longer. It still is always Bon). So it was great to hear this one. Love your work Prof, keep it coming.
I always saw BOTH
Bon was the BRATTY PUNK TEEN
and Brian was the Punk GROWN UP
Like someone said “PERFECT SEAMLESS TRANSITION”
At the time all the "High Voltage" signs disappearing from the Midland and Armadale train lines barbed wire fences. Classic Perth
@@reggrundy2367 Wow I remember that😀
There's a parallel to the Three Stooges in this. Shemp was with them the longest and he was good, but Curly was even better.
Nothing lights up a Perf pub like Acca Dacca 👍
I always think of Let there be rock when I think of AC/DC, that riff SHREDS.
Yes sir
“seismic” is more like it. It moves the earth. It doesn’t titillate, it crushes.
AC/DC has a raw but great sound, and performs like a really great bar band, but the best bar band you’ve ever seen. Adding to that they write their own stuff…and it’s some of the best.
I was fourteen when that album came out. I never looked back, everytime I get into my car the first thing I hear is that riff. Thanks Angus ♥️♥️
This story highlights how a good producer is like a good coach - someone who can guide and inspire the athletes/musicians to realize their true potential.
That's exactly what a great producer should do !
Love Highway to Hell, but to me the entire live album "If You Want Blood, You Got It" epitomizes the AC/DC vibe. The best way to listen to it is as loud as possible. Many of those songs, especially at high volume, make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Riff Raff, Whole Lotta Rosie, Bad Boy Boogie, The Jack, Problem Child, Let There Be Rock... absolute classics.
Totally agree - possibly one of the greatest live albums ever !
Agreed. My favorite
The agreeing people are correct.
I concur
high voltage with break with Bon and audience, then upbeat Angus tempo to creshendo of all band of the song is an rnr orgasm...
I still have that album on vinyl! One of the great album covers too.
AC/DC Was my first concert, 1996 Ballbreaker tour. Blew my mind, immediately started finding my next concert, nothing beats live music with a crowd.
Amazing band. One of a kind. Always be a part of my soul. Bless you all for gracing us with your talents.
The first time I heard that thunderous intro to Highway To Hell I was just a young lad, which was like musical candy to my young ears, instantly making me an AC/DC fan for life.
Exactly!
I remember the first time I heard AC/DC. I was in junior high school. Changed my life.
First heard the song Highway to Hell on vinyl. What a raw, wicked song.
Wish I woulda bought all of their stuff on vinyl instead of going the cassette route for all but FTATR, HV and IYWBYGI.
The immortal Bon Scott. Legend has it that Bon and the band went out in London(?) to see a gig with Brian Johnson fronting a band. During the performance Bon turned to Malcolm and said :if anything happens to me, get him" (Brian). Bon's body is interred at Fremantle. From time to time fans from "over east" make the 3,500 km (?) journey to Western Australia's Fremantle cemetery. An equivalent trip in Europe maybe Paris to Moscow and in the US maybe New York to LA....by road. Thanks for your presentations Professor reminds of a time in my life when I had a lot more hair and a lot less stomach...Acca Dacca rocks eternal....may the chord's be with you.
The band was called Geordie.
@@rumblehat4357 thanks Blood
Yeah. Brian was leading vocalist of Geordie and he was having an apendicite crisis on stage and had to be carried out of the stage by the medical staff.
Bon's body's remains are interred at Fremantle. Or are they? At risk of disrespecting his wishes Legend has it Adelaide is where his heart and family were; That in order for him to rest in peace and avoid all the nonsense that goes on around his memorial.
They played a festival together somewhere in the UK Bon was touring with Fraternity I think.
Great video! I love how your videos usually include stories about guys like Mutt Lang and what they contributed. I love those kinds of stories, because we're so used to praising the band that we don't always know who else contributed or pushed the band to improve. Good stuff!
Bar band drummer here for 40 years - playing this song subsumes me in a way that is hard to describe. Technically simple, but you have to buy in with your whole body and really listen to your fellow musicians to grab the sweet spot. And once there, hold on, it flows, man! Great video and backstory, thank you!
Bon Scott was my favorite. His voice was just so distinctive. TNT is amazing. I believe he even plays the bag pipes on long way to the top on the same album (High Voltage)
Yes, he did indeed play them, though there's a video they shot where he has the whole mouth piece in his cheek that led to many thinking it was just a stunt for the video but he did actually know how to play bagpipes very well.
Considering the bagpipes were never used it was an earlier form of synthesizer I can't remember the name think it's something like a melotron or similar name item bon admitted it he could play them but never did on record mutt Lange was chosen for iron maiden first album he was useless they basically produced them themselves with the engineer Matt just sat reading magazines smoking weed drinking and saying i think you can do better
@@markbarker6739 Look it up, 3 different sources say that Bon was a secondary drummer in a pipe band and Angus and Malcolm's older brother George, who was also a co-producer, bugged him to play them so he went and bought the pipes but had to teach himself how to play that tune and even played them live on many occasions. He left them too close to a crowd in one show and the fans destroyed them so they used a tape loop after that. But he DID play on the recording and several live shows.
@@scottricklaroque7428 Bon was in a pipe band but was a drummer
@@markbarker6739 that sounds nothing like a mellotron at all. A mellotron is what you hear on the extended break on the live version or turn the page after the sax solo. Also a mellotron isn't a synth it's a electric piano with a built-in tape delay effect.and if they had wanted to use a synth why not just use a ARP,a Moog or a oberhiem as they all existed at the time
Privileged to see AC/DC with Bon Scott live in 79. Unbelievable show.
Still one of my favorite songs and My FAVORITE AC/DC Song of all time! Thanks for the history lesson Prof!
Thanks Professor so love hearing the background on all this music. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Saw them in 1979, about 8 months before Bon passed away from “misadventure.” What a show.
Favorite track from that album has to be "Girls Got Rhythm". That song should get more respect.
Great tune! :)
Touch Too Much
Same here. Girl's Got rhythm is an absolutely infectious riff, as close to a perfect rock song as it gets.
Whole album is brilliant
You’re not kidding. I would put the first 5 tracks up against any other album’s first 5, including their own Back in Black. Highway to Hell to me is AC/DC at their peak. The entire album is phenomenal, but that first 5 is a WOW moment. Mutt’s production was great, Bonn was in his best form, and the riffs were insane. That album still sounds current. Just perfect. I like Brian Johnson, but nothing beats Bonn Scott.
I love this song and crank it up especially when I've had a rough day. Wow!! What a great riff and song!! Bon Scott was awesome.
Powerage is the best of the best. An underrated effort that really showcases bon, Malcolm and Angus, and their stunning ability to ROCK!!
I saw AC/DC with Bon Scott 3 times...I have seen many other of the classics...Bon was the greatest frontman of all time...His lyric writing is among the greatest...Down Payment Blues...Highway To Hell is the epitome of rock and roll
I'm very jealous. Rock on!
Down Payment is The masterpiece
I bow as I make way for thee Julie......
How I wanted the experience of a live Bon show.......missed by a year.
Up side...have seen DC many times from '82 on ...... nothing like a live show.
He was great
@@xlgallerydotru Absolutely!
The problem was Kramer had a big head. He felt like he was the shit because he had directed big groups already. Mutt was coming up and eager to work and prove himself, but he was also trained and very intelligent. Mutt Lange and acca decca was the greatest unholy rock alliance spawned straight from hell, epic and unrepeatable.
Kramer, also stole millions from Hendrix, drove him to a depression which would lead to his death. Eddie Kramer is in Hell now, so ironically Hendrix was ringing "Hells bells" for him.
It was also a difference in attitudes (at the time) Australian Vs American (down to earth Vs Flash & Brash) an earlier example ACDC getting into a punch-on with the Deep Purple crew at Sunbury in '75 or another band of the era "Dragon" could have been huge in the US, but upon meeting the US labels execs deliberately torpedoed their chances. In '81 another band, and Australian music royalty, "Cold Chisel" hated the US label execs and wrote the song "You've got nothing I want" about the experience. Mutt Lange was unassuming and down to earth who could also backup everything he said, hence they had a good relationship.
@@theblacksquirrel. AC/DC is one of the few Oz acts that made it big before the Oz Rock boom of the 80s. I think their perseverance here in the US (touring a lot) is part of what paid off for them.
I totally love every song they have written! I have all their albums. Ok so I'm old, 70 something but can't get enough of them .
1983. Middle of the night. Sitting in Dodger stadium parking lot in the bed of my best friends Datsun 4x4waiting for the traffic to lighten up. Tape deck blasting Highway to Hell and freaking out my born again friend by whispering the lyrics to "Night Prowler". Great fun. Greatest rock and roll band ever.
When I was in boot camp for the Navy we had a drill instructor that would sing Highway to Hell as the rhythm for our marching practice. It was awesome!
My son is in the Navy now thanks for serving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would belt out,If you want blood, at a double time pace. USMC.
@@whatthe2458 that’s a good one! We’d also march to Smoke on the Water too. There were a few songs, but those were the best and the times that formation drills were enjoyable.
When i was in boot camp (Navy) we didn't get any of that, however when I got my second haircut there that as the first time I heard Same old Song and Dance and Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith, believe me I held on to those two through the rest of boot camp, the right songs at the right time, it was eye opening!
@@theironlukeve5544 thanks for serving my sons in the Navy so was my dad but not me
One of the best riffs ever written. The way that all the instruments fit together including the vocals. And the chorus of all choruses of course
AC/DC is the absolute greatest hard rock band of all time. Simple, Powerful, In your face, Adrenalyzing, Rock and Roll. They shaped me as a young teen finding my way and gave me confidence to stand up in a crowded room. Even at 52, if I need a boost within, jamming their music loudly gets me a lift to push on through. 🤟🤘🤜💥
Hell ya !💪
AD/DC has been my favourite band for my entire life. For as long as I can remember, I have air-guitared this riff and sung along to Bon Scott. Highway to Hell is one of my favourite travel tunes, and is a rocking anthem to listen to while driving down the highway. RIP Bon Scott! RIP Malcolm Young! You guys will always be in our hearts!
Mate...for a Yank you f'ing nailed that! Very enjoyable. Thank you. What an INCREDIBLE band from my homeland. Malcolm's driving blues rhythm, Angus's iconic lead, the cheeky lyrics, always full of sexual innuendo. The older I get, the more I realise just how F'ING good they were. They are timeless and eternal Gods of Rock n Roll!!!
Unna
Such a great classic rock album! "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" is still played daily on my playlist!
wow so you glad your collecting and sharing these stories. Amazing thank you professor
In the early days I used to go see AC/DC in the pubs around Adelaide they only got better through the years
The shows were up close and personal with the booze flowing both on and off stage
It was wild and raw
I remember when Back in Black came out. Living in Melbourne as a 13 year old kid. It was like nothing I have ever heard. That album is a masterpiece in rock music, mixing and mastering. There is simply no other rock album that comes close to its rawness.
Yep. It is fantastic.
Rawness? I have to go VH
Lol I’m from Melbourne
I’m from Southern California and was 13 when this album came out. Bought the record. Didn’t have it long. Loaned it out and it never came back!!
Same age, it was huge, great times for metal, so much music coming out then
Bon was the embodiment of what a rock-n-roll singer is to everyone who saw and heard his unforgettable style . Just like the song says "Gonna be a rock-n-roll singer, Gonna be a rock-n-roll star , yes I are! RIP Bon
Cause I ain't no fool......
I hear it pays well.... Still as good as it was for me in 1979 when I was a teenager.
Bon lived and breath rockstar his charismatic ways was insane mix that with his voice and the rest of the bands talent it's why they are still a juggernaut house hold name in everyone's life all around the globe and for many more years to come .
Great bit of history you put together. Enjoyed the video 😊
I saw AC DC as the opening act for Ted Nugent in Seattle in 1978. I believe it was my first concert ever. Great show. Bon Scott walked into the crowd singing, with Angus on his shoulders playing.
I literally picked up a guitar for the 1st time because of AC/DC when I was younger. Years and years later I’m now a good guitarist with a red SG that looks like Angus’s. AC/DC inspired me and many others. Their music will live forever!
Out of curiosity it is one with the small or big pick guard ?
@@benallmark9671 I've always been a fan of the bigger one. It just looks better to me personally.
Thank you Sir , I never heard most of this story. The first time I heard them I was blown away and i loved them from the first beat to the first Oi, And definitely Highway To Hell. They were my favorite band for a dozen years or more.
The essence of what Rock & Roll was back in the day. Pub bands and rawness. I knew someone who saw ACDC play at a High School concert when they were first starting out. Bands used to even play schools back in the early seventies in Australia. They payed their dues.
For most Aussies the greatest AC-DC Song is Long Way To The Top and is widely regarded as being the top of the pile when it comes to Australian Rock Songs of all time
So great that we sang it to our children, and then grandchildren, substituting "It's a long way to the shop when you want a sausage roll." No disrespect. Just affection. Ingrained into the souls of people my age.
@@MandyRRAh and us Sydney boys sang "It's a long way to the Cross if you wanna F*^k a mole...
@@hiptonymusic1794 Oh dear. Desperate boys had to take desperate measures, I suppose. Won't be teaching that version to the grandkids. ;)
Or the more commonly know version in Aus
"Its a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll"
It's a Long way, It's a Long way, It's a Long way to the shop if y'a want a Chiko roll!!!!
I'll never forget my first AC/DC concert, Seattle Coliseum 1978 opening for Ted Nugent. We had no idea who they were, but were very impressed by the little guitar player in shorts spinning on his back on stage! The Nugent fans were booing, but after seeing Angus ride on Bon's shoulders into the crowd playing a cordless guitar, I was hooked!
Love That Cassette In The Background .... Saw The Band On This' Highway To Hell' Tour In The UK,
Bon was so Charismatic and it was the end of an era for me when he passed. Great Story Mate Thanks.
I ride a motorcycle. I have been a rider for over 55 years (I bought my first bike in 1967). When I finally had the opportunity to buy one with a stereo on it, I fell in love with the combination of the two: the sound and feel of a bike on the road combined with good music. I have an eclectic taste in music, pulling songs from different genres. But there is nothing, NOTHING that can compare to the experience of moving down the highway, AC DC blasting from the speakers accompanied by the muted roar of the engine and the feel of wind in your face. It's a spiritual experience. One that I will not abandon until too old to ride.
I was fortunate enough to see AC/DC open up for KISS in December '77. I knew nothing of AC/DC at the time but looking back I remember how I thought this is an amazingly energetic band! I can still see Bon Scott carrying Angus atop his shoulders through the entire Capital Center floor in Landover, MD. Wow what an incredible show!
I saw the same tour in London Ontario
I’ve heard that Gene Simmons discovered them
I consider the two eras of AC/DC to be almost two completely different bands. The Brian Johnson era created more timeless rock anthems, good for comic book movies and car commercials, which is fine, but Bon Scott was one of the greatest showmen in rock and roll history. One of a kind and an absolute legend.
Yep. I agree. I feel the same way about Van Halen.
Yes Sammy is one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time and DLR is a circus act.
@@TheJpep2424 While Van Halen sadly ended for awhile despite a messy 2004 reunion tour back then, its amazing ACDC kept going still in the 2000's
Correct. Same for VH and BS.
@@fivestring65ify For a split second there I thought you were saying VHS and Beta.
We saw them in San Jose Ca in 2019. The energy was outrageous! Best concert ever.
I was 20 years old when I first heard AC/DC and a friend described how he was at a concert in Chicago and to see the band live was such a wonderful experience. I was determined to see them live. When Bon Scott died all hopes died with him to see the band live. When talk was emerging on radio about the Back in Black tour I was excited to get the chance again. On the first day of ticket sales I was like 3rd in line and got seats on the 4th row. It was insane to get tickets that close but that concert was crazy energizing and loud. I couldn’t hear for 2 weeks but in the top 10 best decisions I ever made. I paid $16 for TWO tickets. Concerts were affordable because the concerts were vehicles to stimulate album and merch sales. That is where the money was made.
A friend made me listened to Hell's Bells when I was 12 ..... can't thank this guy enough - fell in love with the band about 17 seconds into the song - this band showed they were for real - when you lose your lead singer and manage to record a top 3 global album of all time only months after losing the singer - you know they are Rock Titans
You’re seriously missing out if you don’t also listen to their Bon Scott-era songs!! In my opinion, nothing compares to the time period when Bon was their frontman!
Highway to Hell was the 1st hard rock album I ever bought in the 7th grade, and it spawned my lifelong love of metal. I owe many, many thanks to AC/DC for this. They are truly one of the greatest bands to have ever existed!
After I realized I’ve watched over 20 of your videos, I decided to do the sensible thing and subscribed!!!
I have been an on and off viewer of POR ... but this episode really hit the spot ! You passion for the subject knows no bounds... and it shows ... excellent ! I can't belive you haven't been offered a TV deal or similar ? But the.. it would be us your TH-cam fans who would miss out... until then.. keep it up !
“Highway to Hell” is sacred music.
Gotta say, nothing gets me rocking like AC-DC especially the riff you focused on today.
Hey another great video and great job presenting it so informative and love the backgrounds information. Really gives a new perspective on a song that I've enjoyed for decades keep up the great work man
The very first album I ever got! For me, Bon Scott is irreplaceable and the band just isn’t the same without him. Ride On, The Jack, A Whole Lot of Rosie, Dirty Deeds; just a few of my favorites ☺️
Exactly. He had genius charisma, and I would define their rock then as Street Rock, with a certain dark humor. The "evil" of Back in Black was, to me, a bit too gimmicky, and had hints of a deep hatred of women, rather than a jilted, cynical love of women that Bon always expressed.
A classic album. Still sounds as fresh as it was new.
Agreed. Thanks for watching!
Very true, I think their sound is timeless. I love ac/dc
@@steveyray8852 .. Me too. The license plate on my truck reads ACDC TNT
The simplicity and drive of their '3 chord ' music has become a staple of rock, for generations to come!!
As an Australian, I’m extremely proud of ACCA-DACCA. The Young Brothers grew up not far from my Nana in Burleigh St Burwood, NSW, just around the corner from Burwood Station. I remember as a kid walking past the Young house (No. 4). This was in the 1980’s when AC/DC were the biggest band in the world. Their house is a modest, nondescript semidetached brick home, a far cry from the mansions they would eventually live in. They deserve every success they got as they were among the hardest working bands in the world.