Brothers Malcom and Angus Young formed AC/DC in Sydney, Australia in 1973 with Colin Burgess, Larry Van Kriedt, and Dave Evans. The name of the band would come when the sister of the Young's pointed it out to them on the label of her sewing machine's plug. The boys felt it perfectly described the raw energy and the power-driven performances of their music.
The group would begin recording sessions in January 1974 at EMI Studios. However, shortly after commencing, Burgess was fired as a result of being passed out from alcoholism at a performance. Van Kriedt was also fired around this time period. However, little is known as to what happened that led to the decision. Neil Smith and Noel Taylor were brought in as replacements, but only lasted six weeks before being replaced in turn by Rob Bailey and Peter Clack, respectively.
Initially, AC/DC adopted a glam rock style. However, after signing with Albert Productions in June of 1974, began shifting to a pub rock sound. As a result of this, they no longer felt Evans was the right fit as a front man, and parted ways with him. It would be the band's chauffer, Bon Scot, who would take his place in September.
Recording of High Voltage, the band's debut, began in November, and be released, and be released around Australasia in February 1975. However, the month prior to its release, both Bailey and Clack were fired. Paul Matters joined briefly, but he too was fired. Additional members included both Ron Carpenter and Russell Coleman, who brief tenures before Phil Rudd was brought in. Mark Evans would join in March 1975.
The lineup of Scott, Evans, Rudd, and the Young brothers would remain the core for two years, and together record 1975's T.N.T., be featured on the compilation / international release of High Voltage (1976), 1976's Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and 1977's Let There Be Rock. AC/DC would also sign an international deal with Atlantic Records in 1976, and prepared to embark on a tour with Black Street Crawler. However, the death of Crawler's guitarist, Paul Kossoff, resulted in cancellation of the shows. Atlantic would regroup, and organize the Lock Up Your Daughters tour for the band, which began in June of '76.
While the band continued to tour into 1977, conflicts with Evans began to form, and he was ultimately fired in May, replaced by Cliff Williams. This revised lineup would record and release 1978's Powerage, and 1979's Highway To Hell. With all things realigned, AC/DC began work on what would become the album Back In Black. However, as production kicked off, the band was dealt a blow when lead singer, Bon Scott, died from alcohol poisoning in February 1980. Though they initially considered calling it quits, Scott's parents would encourage them, stating they felt Bon would have wanted them to carry on. After multiple auditions, Brian Johnson joined as their new vocalist.
The lineup of Johnson, Williams, Rudd, and the Young brothers would release 1980's Back In Black, 1981's For Those About To Rock We Salute You, and 1983's Flick Of The Switch. However, before we get to the latter, we first have to stop in the middle for today's Retro Spin.
Playing through it, I can understand the reasoning behind it. While the band is at the top of their game, what...sigh....For Those About To Rock We Salute You lacks is any commercial hits. Yes, it does have songs that charted, and those are pretty okay. Ultimately though, these are not what I'd call radio friendly. I'd also go so far as to say they're relatively unmemorable, lacking any catchy hooks.
As a whole, it's just okay, and for me, I chalk it up to sophomore blues. Yes, AC/DC was well established by this point in their careers as a "franchise". However, as a band, this was only their second with their new singer. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, though perhaps incorrectly so, that they were still trying to figure out how to work together as a well oiled machine.
While I didn't necessarily walk away with anything shuffle worthy, I'm not counting the band out. Like I said, the album is okay. It's just lacking a noteworthy hit single. 1983's Flick Of The Switch comes up tomorrow, and we'll see from there if AC/DC was a one and done for me, or if they deliver hard. Heck, even mediocre will do if there's something worth having the album for. I guess we'll see.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 25, 1982 |
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