Music Diary – 19th February

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 19th February!

On the 19th February 1980, one of the most outstanding frontman in Rock passed away: AC/DC singer Ronald Belford „Bon“ Scott died after a heavy night’s drinking. He was found dead in the car of his friend Alistair Kinnear in East Dulwich, 67 Overhill Road, London (UK). Bon was 33 years old.

Alistair about this very sad and tragic night:
„The day before, we cruised in my car, a blue Renault 5, through London and attended several bars and discos. When we entered the club ‚Music Machine‘ it was appr. 1.30 a.m. and Bon was in a very good mood and had already some drinks. After two hours, he was completeley drunk and I took him to my car and we drove home. When we arrived at my place, it was 4 a.m. and I tried to wake him up. But he was in a very deep sleep. So I decided to leave him in the car sleeping. And I left him a note, that I am upstairs in my flat. When I woke up on the 19th February, Bon was not around. I watched outside my window and saw him still sleeping in my car. I walked downstairs and when I opened the car, Bon was lifeless and vomit was all around. I called the emergency doctor, who could not do anything for him anymore. Bon’s body was brought into the Kings Collage Hospital for an autopsy. It was too much boose for his body, it was out, it was finished.“

Bon Scott was – like Angus and Malcolm Young – born in Scotland (9th July 1946) and moved with his family to Australia in 1952. He started his music career in 1964 as the drummer and singer of The Spektors. In 1966, Bon founded the pop band The Valentines. After the break up in 1970, Scott started his new group Fraternity, a Progressive Rock formation. And in 1974, Bon replaced Dave Evans as the lead singer of AC/DC. „Highway to Hell“ (1979) is the last LP featuring Bon’s unique singing. After the tragic death, the Young brothers decided to go on and with new singer Brian Johnson the comeback album „Back in Black“ was recorded and released in July 1980. This LP is still the second best-selling album of all time, only behind Michael Jackson’s megaseller „Thriller„.

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Music Diary – 17th February

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 17th February!

On the 17th February 1975, the AC/DC debut “High Voltage” was released in Australia. It’s still a collector’s item because the international version of this album is completely different, which features only the two songs “She’s got Balls” and “Little Lover”. Four more tracks were available later for the fans outside Australia on the EP “’74Jailbreak” in 1984. There you can find the rarities “You ain’t got a hold on me”, “Show Business”, “Soul Stripper” and the cover “Baby, please don’t go“. At least, the last two tunes from the Australian version of „High Voltage, the tunes “Stick around” and “Love Song”,  were finally released on the international compilation „Backtracks“ (2009).

All eight songs were recorded in November 1974 at the Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia. Produced by Vanda & Young (Harry Vanda and the older brother of Angus und Malcolm, George Young). The duo was a member of the successful popband The Easybeats and they were also the main songwriters for their big hit „Friday on My Mind“ (1966).

While recording „High Voltage“, the line up of AC/DC was a different one: Beside the founding members Angus and Malcolm Young and singer Bon Scott, the rhythm section was not really founded yet. Rob Bailey was the bass player and the drums part were played by Tony Currenti, Peter Clack and John Proud.

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Music Diary – 18th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 18th January!

AC/DC (1991)

On the 18th January 1991, a tragic accident happened during the AC/DC show at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah: At the beginning of the show, fans rushed the stage and due to the pushing and shoving three people were being trampled and killed. It took appr. 20 minutes before the security and the band recognised about this horrible incident, before stopping the concert.

In a band statement, AC/DC told that “nothing anyone can say or do will diminish the tragic loss or sense of grief” and they offered their “heartfelt sympathy” to the families. Singer Brian Johnson was so under a strain, that he couldn’t slept for a week. The families of the three killed teenaagers have settled out of court with AC/DC. As a result of this incident, no more festival seatings were installed for future events at the Salt Palace.

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Music Diary – 26th December

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 26th December!

On the 26th December 1981, the AC/DC album „For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“ reached the top position on the US chart. The LP stayed there for two more weeks. After the sucessful comeback with „Back in Black“ (1980), featuring the new frontman Brian Johnson, who replaced the deceased Bon Scott, this release marks the fist No. 1 album in the AC/DC history.

The ten new songs were recorded in Paris from May until September 1981 and it was the third and final produced AC/DC album by Robert John „Mutt“ Lange, who also worked on the milestones „Highway to Hell“ (1979) and „Back in Black“ (1980). Early spanish vinyl releases of „For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“ have a slightly different cover art wortk: On these editions, the colours are reveresed (gold canon on black background).

„For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)“ is the eight studio album by the band and it was sold over 4 million times in the USA. Singles outtake were the title track and „Let’s get it up„. These both releases feature several live tracks from 1981 on the flip sides.

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Music Diary – 14th December

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 14th December!

Cliff Williams (AC/DC)

Happy birthday to AC/DC bassist Clifford „Cliff“ Williams, who was born on the 14th December 1949 in Romford, Essex (UK). In June 1977 he replaced Mark Evans in the band line up beside the brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott and Phil Rudd. Cliff played his first two shows for AC/DC in July 1977 at the legendary club „Bondi Lifesaver“ in Sydney.

Before Cliff Williams joined AC/DC he played in the British bands Home and Bandit. His first studio album with AC/DC was „Powerage„, which was released on 5th May 1978. SInce then his playing can be heard on all AC/DC LPs – also on the latest release „Rock or Bust„, which hit the stores on the 28th November 2014 and went to No.1 in several countries like Austria, Germany and Canada.

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Music Diary – 30th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 30th October!

Drummer Chris Slade was born on the 30th October 1946 in Pontypridd, Wales (UK). The Welsh musician has worked with many acts – just to name a few: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Tom Jones, Asia, Uriah Heep, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Gary Moore. Slade also played with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page in The Firm.

But Chris Slade is best known for his drumming for AC/DC from 1989 to 1994. He joined in November 1989 and took over the place from Simon Wright. In this period he recorded the studio album „The Razors Edge“ (1990). His powerful drumming is also featured on the releases „Live“ (released 1992), „Big Gun“ (1993 – Single for the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie „Last Action Hero„) and „Live at Donington“ (recorded 1991 – DVD). During the recording sessions for the next AC/DC album „Ballbreaker“ (1995), Malcolm Young told him, that the band wanted to do a reunion with former drummer Phil Rudd. Chris Slade about his time with AC/DC: „It was an honour and a privilege to play with those guys.“

In 2015, Chris Slade returned to AC/DC and took over the place from Phil Rudd again, who get into big legal troubles.The official band’s announcement: “Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming Rock or Bust world tour.”

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Music Diary – 26th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 26th October!

On the 26th October 2008, the AC/DC album „Black Ice“ went to No.1 on the UK album charts.The LP became also No. 1  in 29 different countries (including USA, Canada and Australia). Originally released on the 17th October 2008, it was the long awaited follower to „Stiff Upper Lip“ (2000). The 15 new songs were recorded in March and April 2008 at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver (Canada) and produced by Brendan O’Brien, who also worked with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Bruce Springsteen (just to name a few).

The four singles issued from the album were „Rock ‚N‘ Roll Train„, „Big Jack„, „Anything Goes“ and „Money Made„.

 

The song  „War Machine“ won a Grammy in the category „Best Hard Rock Performance“ (2010).

Sad note:
„Black Ice„ seems to be the final AC/DC studio album featuring rhythm guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young, who retired due to health issues in 2014.

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Music Diary – 26th September

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 26th September!

On the 26th September 1995 the 12th AC/DC album „Ballbreaker“ was released. It was the first time that the band worked with star producer Rick Rubin together, who already produced the single „Big Gun“ for the soundtrack to the Arnold Schwarzenegger blockbuster „Last Action Hero“ in 1993. And for longtime drummer Phil Rudd was this the celebration of his comeback (he retired in 1983 and was replaced by Simon Wright in 1983 – 1989 and Chris Slade in 1989 – 1993).

During the „Ballbreaker“ tour the following new songs were on the setlist: „Hard as a Rock„, „Boogie Man“, „Cover you in Oil„, „Hail Caesar„, and the title track „Ballbreaker“.

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Music Diary – 20th September

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 20th September!

AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)

On the 20th September 1976 the third studio album „‚Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ by AC/DC was released. But NOT in the USA! The American fans had to wait until 27th March 1981 – one year after the passing of singer Bon Scott and during „Back in Black“ charted worldwide. So it’s not suprising that „‚Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ has been certified six times Platinum in the United States (sold more than six million copies) after the successful comeback album „Back in Black“ (one of the best selling albums in music history) with new singer Brian Johnson was released just one year earlier in Summer 1980. So „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ became the third highest sold AC/DC album in the USA (after „Highway To Hell‚ and ‚Back In Black“).

There are some interesting things about the release of „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ – read more about this (different covers, song listings etc.) in my AC/DC category here!

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Music Diary – 6th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 6th January!

Malcolm Mitchell Young (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017)

Happy birthday to Malcolm Mitchell Young, who was born on the 6th January 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland! In 1963 Malcolm and his family moved to Australia. His older brother George became a famous musician and was a member of the legendary band The Easybeats. Also Malcolm began playing the guitar and joined a band called „The Velvet Underground“ (not to be confused with the legendary US formation featuring Lou Reed and John Cale!). In 1973 he founded with his younger brother Angus Young his own band AC/DC, which became one of the most successful rock acts ever.

In 2014 Malcolm has to leave AC/DC due to health reasons and his nephew Stevie Young took over his place. His guitar work is featured on the latest record „Rock or Bust„. Malcolm Young died from the effects of dementia on 18th November 2017 at the age of 64 years.

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