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 – 19th October

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

Brian Johnson (AC/DC)

On the 19th October 1980, AC/DC kicked off the UK tour in Bristol (Colston Hall). After touring the US from July until October with the comeback album „Back in Black„, this marked also a very special moment for new singer Brian Johnson: It was the return of AC/DC to Great Britain exactly eight months since the death of Bon Scott, who passed away on the 19th February 1980. The tour ended with six shows in London (Hammersmith Odeon and Victoria Apollo Theatre) from 10th until 16th November 1980.

The setlis featured beside classics like „Let there be Rock„, „Whole lotta Rosie“ or „Highway to Hell“ the new songs „Hells Bells„, „What do you do for Money, Honey“, „You shook me all Night long„, „Shoot to Thrill“ and „Back in Black„.

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Music Diary – 5th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 5th October!

Brian Johnson (born on 5th October 1947)

On the 5th October 1947 Mr. Brian Johnson was born in Dunston, Newcastle, UK. He became one of the most famous Rock singers after joining AC/DC in 1980. Before he replaced Bon Scott, who died on 19th February 1980, he was the singer for the British Glam Rock band Geordie.

Johnson started his singer career in his teenager years with a group called „Gobi Desert Canoe Club“. He also was a member of another band named „Fresh“. In the year 1970 the singer was part of the Cabaret/Club Team „The Japser Hart Band“, where he performed musical songs like tracks from „Hair„. In February 1972 he founded with Vic Malcolm (Guitar), Tom Hill (Bass) and Brian Gibson (Drums) Geordie. Until 1976 they recorded three albums togehter. In 1978 Brian Johnson decided to leave the band for a solo career. Their last album „No Good Woman“ from that year features Brian on only three unreleased tracks. Then Johnson started to perform as Geordie again (he was the only original member of this „reunion“) and before they were signed to a label, Brian Johnson was invited in March 1980 to do some auditions as the new vocalis for AC/DC – the rest is Rock history.

With the album „Back in Black“ (released 25th July 1980) Johnson recorded one of the most successful LPs ever. The megaseller features ten songs – and almost all of them became hits and are still part of the live stetlists.

In 2014 another new AC/DC record will be released: „Rock or Bust“ is the 16th studio album by the Australian band and it will be released in November/December. Sadly to mention that this is the band’s first album in the band’s history, that was recorded without founding member Malcolm Young. The rhythm guitarist suffers dementia and has officially left the band and is replaced by his nephew Stevie Young. This replacement happened already: During the 1988 U.S. tour Stevie filled in for Malcolm on rhythm guitar, while his unlce left for a rehab.

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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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AC/DC – Let There Be Rock

Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, Angus Young, Mark Evans, Phil Rudd

On the 21st March 1977 the third AC/DC album „Let There Be Rock“ was released in Australia. The LP was recorded in January and February of the same year at the Albert Studios in Sydney. Many of the eight new songs became AC/DC classics: Beside the title track other tunes like „Bad Boy Boogie“, „Hell ain’t a bad Place to be“ or „Whole lotta Rosie“ are still featured in the live set. For bass player Mark Evans these were the last recordings with AC/DC. Evans was sacked in May 1977 and replaced by Cliff Williams.

Like the AC/DC albums before, also „Let There Be Rock“ was issued in two different formats. The international version, released on 25th July 1977, has a different cover and features the iconic new logo, designed by Gerard Huerta. Also the tracklisting is not the same on CD: Instead of „Crabsody in Blue“ the already well-known track „Problem Child“ from the „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ sessions were chosen. The vinyl releases have the same tracklisting (except in the USA and Japan).

During the recording sessions for „Let There Be Rock“ the song „Carry me Home“ was also recorded. This rare track was chosen for the B-side of the Australian Single „Dog eat Dog“ and later available for all fans all around the world on the „Backtracks“ Box-Set.

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AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Malcolm Young, Mark Evans, Bon Scott, Angus Young, Phil Rudd

In 1976 the third AC/DC album was released. „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap„. And like the last LPs „High Voltage“ and „T.N.T.“ this one was also edited in two versions for Australia and the rest of the world.

The Australian album was released on the 20th September 1976. It features nine songs, two of them were only available on this version for a long time. These tracks are „R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)“ and „Jailbreak“.

The international version of „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ has also nine songs, but a different track listing. „Rocker“ from the „T.N.T.“ album is here included and also the song „Love at first Feel„. Interesting, because this tune was in Australia released one year later as a single with „Problem Child“ on the B-side.

Talking about delays:
It took almost five years that „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ was also finally available in the USA. The LP hit the stores on 27th March 1981 – one year after the tragic death of singer Bon Scott. So it is not a big surprise that many people were completely confused that time after the megaseller „Back in Black“ with the new singer Brian Johnson on vocals entered the charts worldwide.

Remarkable:
As already mentioned before, the cover of the two versions are completely different. The Australian edition features a comic drawing of Bon Scott and Angus Young (as you can see listed below). The international version has a cover from Hipgnoisis, an  English art design group based in London. This company did also remarkable sleeves for bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Genesis, just to name a few.

Lost song:
During the recording sessions for „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“ the song „I’m a Rebel“ was recorded. The lyrics were written by the Young brothers Angus, Malcolm and Alex. Unfortunately this track was never released by AC/DC, but two versions appeared over the years: The German Metal band Accept covered this rarity for their album of the same name.

And finally also the version with Alex Young on lead vocals (backing by AC/DC and Bon Scott) can be found on the internet – here it is:

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AC/DC – High Voltage (International Release)

Mark Evans, Bon Scott, Angus Young, Phil Rudd, Malcolm Young

On the 30th May 1976 the AC/DC debut for all fans outside Australia was released – the international version of „High Voltage„.

Seven from the nine songs were taken from the Australian release „T.N.T.“, the tracks „She’s got Balls“ (with Peter Clack on drums) and „Little Lover“ (John Proud on drums) are originally from the Australian debut album „High Voltage„.

Remarkable:
The LP was released in two different covers – the UK version features a drawing of Bon Scott and Angus Young (as you see listed below).

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