Artist · EveryDisc catalogue

AC/DC

AC/DC (abbreviated from alternating current/direct current) is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in November 1973 by Scottish expatriates, brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Along with bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Queen, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Judas Priest, and Motörhead, AC/DC is often regarded as a pioneer of hard rock and heavy metal. The musicians themselves classified their music as rock and roll, as it is based on rhythm and blues with a heavily distorted sound of rhythm and lead guitars. The group went through several lineup changes before the band's first album, High Voltage, was released in 1975. The band's lineup remained constant until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977. On February 19, 1980, the band's vocalist and songwriter Bon Scott died of severe alcohol intoxication. The band had every chance of breaking up, but a replacement for Scott was found in the person of former Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson. That same year, the band recorded their best-selling album, Back in Black. The group has sold over 200 million copies of its albums worldwide, including 72 million in the US. Their most successful album, Back in Black, has sold more than 22 million copies in the US and more than 42 million elsewhere. Overall, AC/DC is the most successful and famous rock band from Australia and one of the most popular in the world.