AC/DC’s history is split into two eras across two different absolutely legendary lead singers, Bon Scott and Brian Johnson. They both have this incredible rasp and grit to their voice that fits the sound of AC/DC perfectly in their own different ways. I’ve always felt Bon Scott was a little more unhinged and primal (both in vocal delivery as well as in his lyrics) while Brian Johnson had a little more mainstream polish and a little more versatility. The decision is basically like picking who your favorite kid is (you love them all in their own unique ways), but if I had to choose with a gun to my head, I’m taking Bon Scott. And so today we’re doing the legendary Highway to Hell instead of AC/DC’s most famous album Back In Black (which we’re sure as shit gonna cover in a future installment).
By the time Highway to Hell was released AC/DC was finally getting some attention internationally after blowing up in their native country of Australia in the mid 70’s. They were signed to Atlantic Records and while their first five albums were produced by George Young (the brother of guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young), Atlantic pushed the band to work with a producer who was more familiar with radio-friendly songs in the US and UK. This was a point of consternation for the band and after cycling through a handful of producers they eventually landed on Robert John “Mutt” Lange. The introduction of Lange was a perfect fit for AC/DC and led to a slightly more polished sound, especially on the vocal front. Lange was a trained vocalist and worked hand in hand with Scott on breathing techniques to maximize the power in his voice, taking the raw talent of his earlier performances and putting some polish on it. Scott was famously influenced by Little Richard’s vocal performance style, and you can hear that throughout the entirety of this record.
Scott would unfortunately die from pulmonary aspiration brought on by either an alcohol or heroin overdose (the details of which are still up for debate) six months following the release of Highway to Hell. This album would be the last full-length release with him as the frontman for AC/DC.
What makes AC/DC one of the most enduring rock bands of all time is how they found a formula that worked and rode that wave for 40 years without really varying it up at all. The sound is timeless– the Young brothers Gibson SG’s piped through Marshall amps, Cliff Williams’ bass lines that relentlessly bump out a steady stream of 1/8 root notes, and Phil Rudd’s relatively simplistic drum patterns that thud along and accentuate each big fat guitar chord with a cymbal crash. It still feels as fresh as ever. Some critics have dinged them points for not “evolving” their sound but those people are full of it because AC/DC was already fully evolved from day one.
The band came out of the womb as the highest form of rock and roll. Forever imitated, never replicated.
Long live AC/DC.
Standout Songs: “Highway to Hell”, “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”, “Shot Down In Flames”, “Touch Too Much”, “Walk All Over You”
