ACDC Collection

AC/DC are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most successful and significant rock bands of all time. This Australian band, known for their dramatic, high-energy performances, has sold over millions of records worldwide and is considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.

AC/DC was founded by the Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young, in Sydney, Australia, in 1973. The band’s original members included lead guitarist Angus Young, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, drummer Philip Rudd, bassist Mark Evans, and vocalist extraordinaire Bon Scott.

They pioneered a style between hard rock and heavy metal that has resulted in crank-up-the-volume radio staples and has served as an inspiration to countless young musicians all over the world.

AC/DC was riding high on the success of their album Highway to Hell (1979) when vocalist Bon Scott died of an alcohol overdose in 1980. Despite this, the band persisted with Brian Johnson as the new vocalist, and came back triumphantly with Back in Black (1980)—which went on to become the band’s best-selling album—and the U.S. chart-topper For Those About to Rock, We Salute You (1981).

By the 1990s, AC/DC had established themselves as one of heavy metal's most venerable acts. The Razor’s Edge (1990) peaked at #2 on the Billboard albums chart and featured the smash singles "Thunderstruck" and "Moneytalks.”

Throughout their career, AC/DC stayed true to their musical formula, which consisted primarily of riff-driven rock featuring power chords and blistering vocals, topped off by the nonstop cavorting of lead guitarist Angus Young in his trademark school uniform.

After over 30 years of churning out some of the roughest and loudest head-banging anthems, AC/DC achieved its first chart-topping debut album with Black Ice in 2008. The band reached a new milestone in 2010 when they won their first Grammy Award for the single "War Machine."

In later years, age began to take a toll on the band, resulting in a number of lineup changes. Founding member Malcolm Young announced his retirement in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia. His nephew, Stevie Young, took his place. Later, Chris Slade stepped in to fill the drum chair for Rudd, who was arrested for drugs and other charges.

In 2016, Johnson had to stop touring because he was starting to lose his hearing, and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose joined the band as a touring member.

In November 2017, Malcolm Young died at the age of 64.

The band regrouped with producer Brendan O'Brien after a two-year hiatus to record Power Up (2020), which went on to become their third #1 album in Australia and third chart-topper in the United States.

AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.