Why AC/DC Didn’t Quit Even After Losing Almost Everyone Recently

When the fans of AC DC could hear the album power up, released on November 13, 2020, the feeling was not just one of excitement at being able to discover new music from the band. It was almost like a sense of relief. It was proof that one of the most legendary groups in rock history was able to withstand many setbacks in its later years.

At some point in the past decade, everyone has been off the grid. AC DC with the exception of the guitarist Angus Young. The first casualty was that of the guitarist Malcolm Young, brother of Angus, who was sidelined in 2014 after advanced dementia. The solution was homemade: the nephew of the musicians, Stevie Young, ended up scheduled for his vacancy. Sadly, Malcolm passed away in 2017 at the age of 64.

Before the album tour rock or bustfirst job with steviethe drummer Phil Rudd, now 68, had problems with the justice system in New Zealand. He was accused of possessing drugs and planning to murder an employee. His position was occupied in all the shows of the tour by Chris Sladewho had already been part of the group between 1989 and 1994.

During the tour, another casualty: the vocalist Brian Johnson, now 75, had to be sidelined due to hearing problems. If he continued to perform, he could lose what little remained of his hearing, damaged not only by the years of rock and roll, but also by his other passion, motor racing. In part of the dates, he was replaced by none other than Axl Rosesinger of Armas e Rosas and a declared fan of the band.

At the end of all this, the bassist cliff williams see no reason to continue AC DC. He announced his retirement shortly before the last tour date. In addition to the disappointment of not having some of his longest-lived companions, the musician who is now 73 years old claimed health problems that already complicated his life during that tour.

AC/DC resists

At some point, after the tour of rock or bustthere was only himself left Angus Young67 years old, of the longest training in the AC DCwhich existed between 1980 and 1983 and from 1994 to 2014. stevie66, also remained, but the musician only joined after leaving Malcolm. Axl Rose It is Chris Slade were just substitutes for Johnson It is ruddrespectively. cliff williamsretired, did not even have a replacement announced.

Still, one of rock and roll’s toughest groups resisted. Brian managed to recover his hearing through a special device, described by him as “innovative”. Phil proved that he was not planning any murder, so he was only convicted of the offense of drug possession: eight months of house arrest and payment of a fine. Finally, Cliff ended up reconsidering his retirement option.

The three met with angus It is stevie between August and September 2018 to record most of the material heard in power upseventeenth studio album by AC DC. The sessions took place in the studio. warehousein Vancouver, Canada, with producer Brendan O’Brien.

Why continue?

In a radio interview SiriusXM (via blabbermouth), Angus Young was asked to explain why the AC DC, in the end, continued. The answer was so brief that it made everything feel simple and natural.

“I just keep doing it. It’s a part of me. It’s from my perspective. I like to make music for AC DC and play these songs. And I’ve been doing this for so long. I think I know how to do that better than anything else. I even think I know how to do this better than anything I learned in my school years.”

In the same interview, the musician revealed how he was reunited with old friends. The initiative came, curiously, from the band’s managers.

“Our management people contacted us in 2018 asking if I would do an album. I had a lot of material done together with Malcolm that we worked on over the years. So I thought, yeah, I’m going to put these ideas together and see who wants to be a part of this and get in the studio. It was great because everyone wanted to be involved: Brian, Cliff, Phil, stevie and me. It was great to be able to get back together and make some new rock and roll music for the world to hear.”

Finally, angus denied that the brother Malcolm have had recordings used in power up. The late guitarist was the co-author of all the songs, but acted only in the composition.

“The contribution of Malcolm it’s mostly in the song ideas, which he created with me. It is basically the contribution of Malcolm to the whole album. He was there in spirit and you will always feel him. He’s there, especially with me. He is part of my thoughts. I’m always thinking about him, just like everyone else is.”

Although power up was released in late 2020, the AC DC has not been on stage since September 20, 2016, the last show of the tour rock or bust. I.e: angus It is stevie did not meet with Brian, Cliff It is Phil on stages. All of them are secluded and without performing even on solo occasions, with the exception of Johnsonwho participated in the events in honor of taylor hawkinsdrummer of foo fighters died in 2022.