AC DC And This Classic Rock Riff That Ignited The 80s | Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What do you consider the best song from each era of AC/DC?

[@ericbgordon1575]

70s: "Dirry Deeds" 80s: ""Back in Black: 90s: "Thunderstruck"

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Let there be rock. Who made who. Thunderstruck.

[@danielwillette3895]

70's let there be rock 80's hells bells 90's razors edge

[@brianpattison4603]

Let there be rock bon, for those about to rock Brian. (Tbh there are way more for both ) these came to mind first.

[@adolfsson2705]

Back in black Thunderstruck Almost like shoot to thrill

[@theajones6080]

There's just no band like AC/DC. I just turned 59, and I still listen to them almost everyday. What a great coming of age band.🎸

[@tonytheHAT]

My four year old son has a black tee shirt that has "AB/CD" with "Highway To Spell" underneath. Just like the album cover. Love it.

[@garytrew2766]

@ Yeah, where do we get them??? LOL!!!

[@paulaeden5934]

My son has one that says AD/HD.. LOL!

[@bobbafett1849]

My kid had one that said AD/HD

[@bobbafett1849]

When i was in college we had em that said Geo/Club For those about to rock

[@bobyoung1698]

I want one.😊

[@funkadelic1967]

Back in black was massive for me. Blew me away at 13 years old. When I started work at 16 I bought all the back catalogue over a few months. My mam used to have to listen to me blasting out all this hard rock from my bedroom and one day she asked if I'd do her a compilation tape of the the ones with the "beats" that she liked as she put it. Fast forward a few weeks and I come home one day with my mates and find my mam rocking out to AC/DC whilst vacuuming the front room. For just a moment she was the coolest mother in the world! Happy memories.

[@leskobrandon691]

Wonderful story. I can picture the scene!

[@ian9toes]

😂

[@dangerous8333]

That would have weirded me the hell out.

[@jeffrose5622]

15 and have loved them ever since!

[@davidlemons5650]

14 yo - during lunch I hear someone's truck blasting out, "the best damn woman..." I had to find out who that was. !!! One year later at a dance, the DJ tried to wake us up with Back in Black. He had the music synced with lights. 1st time all night the bright white flood lights filled a darkened room to the opening beats of Back in Black!!! For the 1st hour of the dance, those pop songs barely made the smaller color lights blink around with Cyndi Lauper style songs, we were truly bored and not dancing at a school dance. It worked!!!! We were all on our feet!!! Next up was the first song 🎵 You shook me all night long. Friends finally told me it was ACDC!!! Suddenly, memories of sitting in my cousin's car playing his Pioneer stereo a few years earlier with Highway to H*ll, (along with Funky Town). The only two songs I knew the older, back then High Schoolers liked!!! Boom, it made sense! It took from 1981 to 1985 to figure out who my favorite band was named!!! I have been; my favorite band has been ACDC ever since!! Deep purple a clear 2nd. Then everyone else!!It took me a long time to catch on to the other greats like Nugent, Ozzie, Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Styx, and on it goes, etc..... By 1986, I could identify new ACDC in 3 beats!!!! Who made Who!!! The information highway, at least for me moved very slowly back in those days - hahaha 😆 (child of the 80s) ..rural Panhandle South Plains of far West Texas !!!!

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

Posted somewhere: These guys were in their 20’s and rocking in the 70’s Now they are in their 70’s and are rocking in the 20’s

[@thepacificcraft4505]

so true

[@AbqRealDeals]

Very astute observation - well done.

[@azy63]

Nice wordplay!

[@sandya7334]

Love that!

[@frosbitfire]

That was also on an ozzy osbourne video

[@franklawson152]

I've been a HUGE AC/DC fan since my teens. I'm 56 now, and when I hear the opening riff from Back in Black, I can't resist busting out the old air guitar once more.

[@brianoconnor7796]

Hell yeah

[@Christodoulos-J]

I was a big AC/DC fan in the Bon Scott era and was crushed when he died. I was so sure that we had all heard the last of them. So, I'll never forget where I was the first time I heard Back In Black. It blew me away and I remember thinking, "Wow! Somehow they got even better!" I still listen to them all the time. One of the greatest hard rock bands ever. Thanks for telling us the stories of these iconic songs.

[@steveshattah]

With Bon they were kind of epic trash culture and with Brian they became just epic.

[@aspalovin]

Bon and Brian are both perfect for AC/DC. Legends.

[@MexicanShirouEmiya]

Exactly

[@mr.kincaid2513]

NAILED IT.

[@Thataintnothing]

It’s a Long way to the top -If Your 4 feet Tall’

[@RatelHBadger]

Bon set them up, Brian took them to the world.

[@Thataintnothing]

@Victor Smit 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤟

[@MichaelHotovy-qo7xi]

Back in my radio days, we had an engineer who was a true believer in AC/DC. He was crestfallen when Bon Scott passed. I was the station's music director at the time and I got an advanced copy of Back in Black. I took a listen knew it was spectacular. So I called the engineer into a studio, sat him down, dimmed the lights and asked him to listen to a "new album." As soon as he heard that opening riff and Brian's vocal on Back in Black, he broke down into tears. I'll never forget that day....

[@aaronwhite3298]

Back in Black is more than just a epic album, it's a phenomenal rock n roll experience!

[@roscoemuttley]

It is a perfect album

[@ProfessorofRock]

You can say that again! It's really phenomenal. Every. Single. Song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed.

[@frankartale1026]

Should go down in history as the best hard rock album ever released because it really is

[@mr.kincaid2513]

Damn right.

[@vincentseholm5209]

Hey Professor, I was born in January of 1967. The first record I personally bought was the single “Strawberry Letter 23” by The Brothers Johnson. My other favorite song at the time was “Le Freak” by Chic. My dad had quite the cassette collection so I grew up hearing bands like Cheap Trick, The Cars and the like as well as Billy Joel and Cat Stevens, The Lovin Spoonful and so on. For my 14th birthday I was gifted AC/DC Back in Black. This album alone is responsible for my awakening into the world of hard rock and heavy metal, my two favorite genres. I had a single speaker GE cassette player that I would play on the school bus. When “Rock & Roll ain’t Noise Pollution” would start I would turn it all the way up. I don’t recall any of my peers objecting but the Bus Driver was none too happy. The moment the bell chimes I’m instantly transported back to that bus. That album alone led me down the path to musical bliss.

[@fhmconsulting4982]

Bon was from my home town and I grew up with them on Countdown in OZ. I remember the first time I saw Bon dressed as a schoolgirl on national TV singing Baby, please dont go and was hooked for life. When this album came out I had just started my first job in a small country town and it was a special order from the record store. I put it on my cars tape deck on the way home and didn't stop driving until it finished. I was almost in tears that the band had survived and honoured Bon so well. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

[@robertcronin6603]

Nice 🔥

[@jhamptonjr]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqqtd5apo511Zpo for those looking for that performance. Epic!

[@fhmconsulting4982]

@@jhamptonjr Apparently none of the band knew about the outfit until he turned up just before taping, thats why they were smiling so much! Hall of fame performance...

[@erlstone]

ha!.... was big laughs in the schoolyard on Monday morning

[@billmago7991]

@@erlstone Exactly what I was going to say.....I was in first form and that's all the girls were talking about

[@stevenandes6591]

Back In Black was the first album I ever bought with my own money as a kid. I wore it out playing it all the time. I was 11 years old, and later that same year I would play it in the hospital room to keep my spirits up. I was in the hospital getting cancer treatment for AML Leukemia.

[@randallparker8477]

I was a young sailor in the US Navy, a freind on my first ship asked me if I liked "weird rock and roll"... he was from Alabama and was more into country rock. I said sure and he handed me a homemade cassette his sister had sent to him. It was the full album of Back in Black. I was amazed and became a huge fan of the "little band from Australia". That cassette was copied at least 50 times and distributed around the ship and fleet, during that Wet Pac cruise. Thanks for your story!

[@katebeckinsnail910]

I remember my dad showing me back in black when I was about 5. At the time he was just my mom's boyfriend, but we'd drive around and rock out to acdc and he taught me how to play air guitar while we rocked out lol. They eventually got married and he adopted me, and then we'd spend so much of my childhood rocking out. Rock n roll was a way for us to bond. He eventually bought me guitars and encouraged my friends and I to start bands in my teens. I remember I was playing a show once, and during soundcheck, back in black was playing, and I remember thinking about my dad (he passed by then) and how I was where I was because my dad taught me how to rocn out to acdc. They'll always have a big spot in my heart.

[@ChadLand011]

No band on the planet can follow AC/DC live. Honestly the greatest rock band in history with 6 decades of hits, its unbelievable.

[@stewartleslie3292]

That is debateable. Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Rammstein.

[@ChadLand011]

@@stewartleslie3292 Iron Maiden has longevity but nowhere near the social acceptance. Slipknot ? Your trolling lol.

[@stewartleslie3292]

@@ChadLand011 Trust me, when Slipknot first came out I laughed at them. But they stuck to their guns and battled through. You got to respect them for that, and their live shows are up there. I see where you are coming from with social acceptance. It is a strange phenomenon with AC/DC. AC/DC tracks can be heard everywhere, they have streets named after them, everyone has a story about Back in Black as a driving anthem or a song where you must have a bottle in your hand. Other bands will wear t shirts with AC/DC on it (I think one of the Pussycat Dolls even wore a pink glittery AC/DC t shirt), yet they never seem to have singles success. It also made them trendy and getting hold of tickets was a joke.

[@donthomas4793]

Of bands that I’ve seen live for me it goes AC/DC scorpions, queen

[@jamesallen884]

Agreed!

[@timhartsock9942]

There are two albums that stick out in my mind from when I was young, where I remember on my first listen that I was so blown away I listened start to finish without a word. The first one was Boston, the second was AC/DC Back in Black. I had been waiting to get a cassette of Back in Black and couldn't find it. My cousin had come over in his parents LTD so we went cruising and talking catching up on things. I looked down and there in his little cassette carrying case was Back in Black. I had to hear it. He said to listen to it we should park somewhere cause it was too good to be distracted. He put it in the player on the car, cranked it up and we did not talk until both sides were complete. I was hooked from the first sounds to the last. Those experiences can never be duplicated or replaced. It was a special time in rock. Highway to hell was still gaining traction and the emotion of Bon's passing as well as the thought that this great band may never play again made the album that much more powerful.

[@person042]

Love the Brian Johnson years but Bon Scott is the man.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I feel the same.

[@diekedrake]

Agreed

[@DorianeRoars]

i guess we all have a specific feeling about that. Bon was a kind of mentor, for me. Brian is more like a buddy. Both are amazing, in their ways. I am just more tied to Bon because it's his voice that hooked me on Go Down, the very first AC/DC track i've ever heard.

[@drunkengamer6764]

Both are iconic, I was never into comparing the two like everyone does, I respect them both, they offered something different to the bands legacy

[@DavidBarton-f7x]

Was 19 when back in black came out... amazing album..seen them in concert September 26th 1980...three hours of heaven

[@bradleyburns1959]

Back in Black tour was the loudest concert I ever attended. The bank of speakers was 50 feet tall. My hearing has been damaged ever since. And totally worth it...

[@MonkeyJedi99]

What? - "He said French, thousand island or vinaigrette."

[@Peter-cm8vi]

As an Aussie kid growing up with AC/DC, we never really realised how huge they were to become on the world stage. They were just a great local band that we all loved. I remember when Back in Black was released, nearly everyone in my friends circle had purchased the album, which is probably why the singles never really charted all that well down under. Anyway, great episode professor.

[@pandorafox3944]

It makes me smile, knowing you in Australia say Acca Dacca. 🙂

[@Peter-cm8vi]

@@pandorafox3944 we also can't spell AC/DC 🤣

[@gsmith207]

Nailed it Prof! When I heard AC/DC in 1981 when my cousin showed me the Album and played it, I knew I just listened to history. At 54 years young now I know I called it!

[@tonytheHAT]

I never liked AC/DC back in their heyday. Liked them more as I grew up. But you have opened my eyes and mind even more with what you've taught me about them. Lyrics and all. Never judge a book by its cover. That's what I get out of a lot of your documentaries. Thank you Professor

[@drunkengamer6764]

I had only heard of AC/DC when Highway came out, I liked it. I remember I was a freshman in high school just after Black came out and a friend had an AC/DC T shirt on, I was like, yeah I’ve heard of them and he told me about the new album, and said I should listen to it. It was such an amazing time for hard rock music back then. We had the new wave of British Metal, the very early beginnings of hair metal, ahh our youth…… where has the time gone?

[@reaality3860]

I had AC/DC Back N Black on 8-track tape in 1981. My dad almost disowned me when he found out I paid money for that "noise pollution". Today, after all these years, I still think listening to "Rock-N-Role Ain't Noise Pollution" over Klipsch Cornwalls, driven to live levels by tube amplification, is to die for.

[@FatherAndTeacherTV]

AC/DC just makes plain old rock n' roll. Great riffs for days! Their latest single (from almost a year ago) - "Shot in the Dark" - even catches your attention and they're in their 70s. Love their work and I can't say that I'm their biggest fan. Thank you, Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Always enjoy seeing your comments my friend! Rock on.

[@WhatsCookingTime]

The new album is fantastic

[@desmondellis657]

After Bon’s death I thought they would never be able to get anyone that could carry the torch like he did. Then, one evening in about April of 1980, I was listening to. my radio, one of the local rock stations, and this song came on that blew me away! It was Shoot to Thrill, the second track on the album. I was into AC/DC Let There Be Rock, and thought this new lead singer was a worthy successor. Next day I bought the album, and, wow! Blistering, hard rocking and amazing!

[@bigb7422]

growing up in the 70's and listening to albums, I would normally have to listen a couple of times before I would appreciate the music. But with Back in Black I was hooked immediately and now over 40 years later still get that feeling every time I hear any song from the album

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I honestly thought ACDC was over when Bon died, didn't even want to hear back in black originally but when I did how could you not be more blown away. I still perfer Bon but that's just an opinion. Back in black took ACDC to the top, well deserved, and they kept it going with massive albums that rocked. RIP Bon you started this rise and Brian carried it on with this album

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's interesting. Just this week I've heard that from several people who didn't want to hear the album and then ended up being their favorite.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@ProfessorofRock it was hard because we didn't want to believe Bon was gone

[@davidreed3246]

After Back in Black it was a steady slide of average material. Flick Of The Switch am was really average. Yes a few shone out and were occasionally played live but it wasn’t until Ballbreaker the band started to get back their mojo.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@davidreed3246 hard to argue those points

[@chrisburk9424]

@@davidreed3246 "Flick Of The Switch" was "better" than "For Those About To Rrrawk" in my opinion - I agree with you to a point: the mid 80s and early 90s LPs and Production left a lot to be desired BUT "Flick" was a KICK ASS ALBUM with GREAT riffs and drumming.

[@jesseglance2399]

While I'm in the generation that grew up on the Beatles and they will always be my favorite band, I will say that if an Alien 👽 came down and asked me to explain what Rock and Roll music is, I would just play them this Album.

[@rearspeaker6364]

best answer ever!!!

[@leskobrandon691]

Awesome response for sure. I may respond just the opposite. I grew up with AC/DC but would probably play the Beatle's if introducing rock to an alien!

[@rearspeaker6364]

@@leskobrandon691 they heard it all by now if it got beamed to a satellite, I hope they don't like Rap....if so, we are doomed!!!!!

[@chrisvanuden]

As a fan for almost 35 years I really appreciate this video. As I do with all your video’s actually!

[@mikmop]

I was a huge fan when I was in high school and loved watching them on the Australian TV show countdown in the 1970s. I was at their concert in Sydney, Australia for their Back in Black tour in 1980. I had just finished high school and I, along with a bunch of mates got together and decided to go to their concert to celebrate. Little did we know, that we would be experiencing a part of Rock history. For me, this album brings back memories of all my high school mates and the good times we had together.

[@timbates6309]

For me, AC/DC was just this band that had one song that got played on the AOR station every year or so. T.N.T., Whole Lotta Rosie, etc. They were okay but didn't really grab me. Then Highway To Hell started getting played. I liked it better than their previous stuff but I wasn't blown away just yet. A few months later I heard the song Touch Too Much on the radio and everything changed. I rushed out to buy the album and heard Walk All Over You for the first time and was hooked. Shortly after that, Bon died. Several months later a local radio station advertised that they were playing the new AC/DC album in it's entirety on the day it was released. I listened, but didn't really expect too much. Then I heard those Hells Bells. What an album!

[@dukecraig2402]

Before Back in Black AC/DC was the kind of a band that I call a "basement band", because about the only time you ever heard their music was hanging out in someone's basement. Then Back in Black came out, and even then it had a little slow of a start because it was in the summer if I recall, but as soon as school was back in that album ripped through every high school in America like a wildfire and took a meteoric rise right up the charts, by that winter when we went on a high school ski trip everyone knew the words to every song on the album. And it's one of the few albums there is that you can put on the beginning of side A and listen all the way through to the end of side B and not want to skip over a single song on it. I'm not egotistical enough to state that I can say what the greatest rock album of all time is, but to me it's the greatest rock album of all time, I never saw another album rip through high school's like that one, REO's High Infidelity comes in a close second but didn't quite tear through like that one did.

[@-Thunder]

TNT & Touch Too Much were the songs that got me hooked on AC/DC for sure. Big Balls was hilarious of course. But could turn a phrase for sure.

[@leskobrandon691]

@@dukecraig2402 i agree wholeheartedly. I was in high school as well and if you were, you definitely have a memory of making out with a certain girl with Back in Black playing in the background!

[@NoXone95]

Yep... So happy you knew Bon said if I died Brian is your guy! Not many people know that, but isn't it just surreal that they got him!

[@andrewcampagnuolo2732]

Your stories are amazing. I hear Back in Black every day. A local station runs it at least twice morning and afternoon.

[@billybrindier6509]

One of the best R&R informational videos I've ever seen. I'm 68yrs and been a musician since 1966. This is a huge compliment. Don't take it lightly. Great job!

[@metalguru67]

Bon Scott was such an influential frontman and now he is standing with the rock gods, were he belongs

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very true.

[@DavidBarton-f7x]

Began to be a fan in 1978.. when highway to hell came out played that album so much... somehow never got to see them live in 1979...but when Back in black came out...i made sure to see them live .sept 26th 1980.. Kalamazoo Michigan...two half hours of hot rock ..plus Angus mooning the crowd😂..never will forget it

[@alliswede42]

When you mentioned Spinal Tap regarding AC/DC, I thought you were going to ask how much blacker the album cover for Back in Black could be. "None More Black." 😁 Happy Friday, Professor 🙏

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha! Thank you! Nice catch there. Happy Friday to you!

[@MonkeyJedi99]

My friends and I still use the line "none more black" to this day.

[@marvindebot3264]

But is it black enough that Anish Kapoor would not be allowed to buy it?

[@emmitstewart1921]

I was 35 years old and out of work when the song came out. It always meant to me: The world can't stop me. They've done their worst, and I almost gave up, but I'm back as strong as ever, and nothing can stop me now.

[@SuperMan-ij6vt]

It's hard to not put this album on AC/DC's greatest hits. Almost every song is instantly recognizable and is definitely some of their best stuff.

[@SWAM4Life]

Brother, I was 7 years old when this album came out and I won it from a stand on the boardwalk in Keansburg, NJ. That started a hard rock and heavy metal live affair that I have never abandoned! I took my daughters to see the Black Ice tour when they were 8 and 11 years old. Back in Black still my all time favorite album and the Thunder from Down Under are still my all time favorite band! RIP Bon and Mal

[@markmiele9334]

I grew up in Keansburg. Spent my share of time at the board walk....

[@allanbluzdude]

The singles didn’t chart well because everyone bought the album 😎

[@doriankeating1963]

Correct

[@Tony-Waldron]

Too right. The Panel Van wasn't decked out right if you didn't have this playing on your car stereo as you were cursin' the main drag.

[@peterlittle4357]

Singles were always dumbed down versions of the album tracks. That goes for all hard rock bands.

[@Fiona2254]

True

[@fugawiaus]

@@Tony-Waldron ahhh, but which one? Sandman, drifter, sundowner or gypsy. Aussies will know.

[@esoterickayla9421]

Had virtually every AC/DC album on vinyl, then cassette, then cd, now digital (still have vinyl and cd). One of my all time favorite rock bands 💚

[@S.JerseyJim]

I watched an interview, the Young brothers asked Bon’s Mom if it was ok to go forward and she gave her blessing. Cool.

[@sayrerowan734]

Christmas, 1984. I was 13, about to turn 14, and just then beginning to get into rock. I came from BFE, La, and country music was the popular genre. I'd never been exposed to rock, other than the lite rock my sister listened to. So that year on Christmas day, my future brother in law gave me a box with a bunch of his old cassettes in it. It was mostly junk, but had this one album, Black In Black, that intrigued me. I had also gotten a cassette walkman on that day. We had about an hours ride to Baton Rouge to go to my aunt's house for Christmas festivities, and as soon as I got in the car I put Black In Black into the Walkman, pressed 'PLAY', and my life has never been the same. It was earth shattering for me. A level of intensity and complete rapture I'd never experienced before. I was hooked from that point forward.

[@anarchywon4170]

Back in black was the first guitar solo I ever learned. It took me 6 days to be able to play the whole thing. Man I thought I was the coolest. Good memories

[@janmeyer3129]

AC/DC first captured me with the “It’s a long way to the top” video on Countdown . In the late 1970’s when I had grown up a bit and had a son I got a real thrill out of the fact that, from his pre-school years, he loved them too. After his final high school exams he and several of his mates took me to a live AC/DC concert here in Perth. Bon shares a cemetery with early members of my family, just a few kilometres from where I live.

[@sheer64]

I grew up with the music played on "Countdown" here in Australia. The first time I say ACDC, Bonn was dressed as a school girl singing "Baby please dont go" I thought what the hell is this, but I loved it as it was raw and powerful. Every time they would appear after that it was more powerful and made you feel good. It was a breath of fresh air from all the English and American acts that seemed to dominate our charts. Thank god for ACDC and other Australian hard rock acts.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great episode Professor! I always remember how shocked me and my group of high school buddies were when we heard Bon had died. I remember how happy we were when Back in Black came out! We were such big AC/DC fans we still celebrated Bon Scott day on the anniversary of his death. Still sad we lost Bon, but so grateful they chose Brian Johnson as his replacement! Great episode Professor! Thanks for keeping the music alive!

[@robinstevens9189]

Hard to view AC/DC as glam rock. Love these videos Adam! Very informative, entertaining and educational!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Much appreciated!

[@aaronleverton4221]

You've got to watch the video for the original recording of Can I Sit Next to You, Girl? It's...an experience.

[@captaincrunch5878]

Funny how you're putting so much faith in a guy who talks pure Bull shit.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

My 11 year old grandson picked up a guitar for the first time 3 months ago, he now owns a cherry red SG and rocks out playing Back in Black like a pro. Fantastic informative vid, love your style 🤘🏻🎸🎼

[@traintools585]

Christmas 1979, my older sister gave her boyfriend the Highway to Hell album as a present. Seeing the cover, I wanted to hear it. Hearing it, I thought it was the greatest thing ever.... until Back in Black came out. I bought it the first chance I could and I was hooked on AC/DC.

[@danalopresto3139]

Great content! The local Pittsburgh rock station WDVE were playing AC/DC when they first came to America, so I had all their albums (imports & regular releases) and was a diehard fan. I saw them February 1979 on their amazing Highway to Hell tour and couldn’t wait for the next album. Unfortunately Bon passed away too soon. I love the Back in Black album, but I really miss Bon’s the clever lyrics and larger than life presence. I made sure that my kids appreciate Bon’s time in AC/DC.

[@jbratt]

I remember the lines at the record store to buy Back in Black. I was in it.

[@nimblesymbols]

The raw power of the song makes me feel strong. Stronger than even We Will Rock You makes me feel.

[@jimdandy6472]

So many great times with AC/DC in the late 70's, and 80's. Friends use to come to my house to listen to Highway to Hell & Back in Black as their parents would freak if they knew their kids were listening. So many great intro's, so many great songs, but my favorite air guitar song is You Shook me all Night Long. Did it at my daughters wedding reception and it was so fun!

[@kizersoozie]

Love AC/DC. I was serving a tour at Canadian Forces Station Alert (the northernmost continually inhabited place on earth) late in 1981, and our new Commanding Officer sent a directive for us DJs that worked the radio station. The directive stated that from that moment on we were to only play easy-listening music during meal hours. I happened to be on at lunch time, so precisely at noon I spun Hells Bells. I'll never forget.

[@scottjustscott3730]

Brian Johnson is the backup QB who comes off the bench late in the second quarter then takes the field after halftime and lights em up for four hundred yards passing, another hundo on the ground and five TDs.

[@ronkampsen1098]

And keeps the job for decades! Tom Brady comes to mind. Drew gets hurt. Brady comes in and takes the team the rest of the way to the SB and goes on to average an SB every other year..

[@richvail7551]

There’s no fun for a talented musician without the talented listener. This guy is that talented listener, he makes it seem like he was the roady for every band he talks about. Any body can buy a record or a poster, it’s another to spend ones free time trying to find all the answers that had to be met to make the cut that made the record. Great videos.

[@bossleonie7658]

My dad won a radio contest where he had to answer this question: who sang the Banana boat song. He got it right and got the album 1 day before it was released. Still have that album today

[@ProfessorofRock]

I love that! Was it the vinyl?

[@zzkeokizz]

When I was 15 we went cross country and I wanted an AC/DC album. But I messed up and bought Heatseaker because it was the most recent album. So I listened to that album on my Toshiba (Walkman clone) for 5 weeks straight. It’s still a great album. It’s my lawnmowing album. AC/DC can cut right through the lawnmower’s drone. And this year, my Asian cousins and I finally got visual proof that Brian Johnson is a family member on my Korean side. He’s in our family tree. And ironically my surname is also Johnson.

[@robertcronin6603]

That's badass!

[@chazworm3]

@@zzkeokizz i was always rocking my “Sanyo” in the early 80s. my dad complained about how dangerous it was riding my bicycle at night listening to walkman. i still maintained that it was safer than the daytime because i could see their lights. matters not. i lived until adult hood. Rock n Roll is here to STAY! and nobody has done more Staying than me!

[@bossleonie7658]

@@ProfessorofRock indeed. He even got a pair of devil horns

[@randymcmullen538]

Brian Johnson is a force of nature... a once in a generation singer/frontman that was, is and always will be a part of our own personal lives soundtracks... also, audience participation in AC/DC’s concerts were legendary as well, be sure to see AC/DC play at River Plate Stadium (on KZbin), especially Thunderstruck... describing the audience here cannot do it justice, all I know is that being in that audience must’ve been an experience that would NEVER be forgotten... HUGE thanks to AC/DC for a lifetime of Bang our Heads Rock & Roll! Thanks also to the one and only Professor of Rock for another great, informative video that will hopefully continue to expose our generations greatest music to other generations... Or, in other words... “Keeping the Music Alive”... Rock on Professor! 🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

I was so young when Back in Black came out and but clearly remember that was like the biggest rock album of the year. Talk about making a comeback after a tragedy.

[@craigdale5249]

In 1980 myself and 2 mate started playing AC/DC’s new album Back in Black on a cassette in a bench seat panel van, we cruised around town played it continuously until it couldn’’t be played any more and we bought a new copy. We were massive Bon Scott fans and still are but this album was sensational.

[@Iwasbornin74]

The Back in Black album was played before all rock concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre which was the old concert venue in Sydney where international and big local artists play. Whether it was Bon Jovi, Poison, Motley Crüe, Metallica, whoever, that album was played as the audience was entering the arena and finding their seats.

[@CradleRobbingRuthy]

Professor, one of my favorite things about your channel is the way you have a thought and your thought comes to life in a video

[@Meditech509]

You got me on that one. Everything I have ever read said, Thundetstruck was the guitar warmup riff. You can use a pick ot just hammerons or pulloffs to do it with just one hand.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Love Thunderstruck as well. SO many great songs.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Angus' warm-up taught by George?

[@chazworm3]

@@aaronleverton4221 actually i heard it was Malcolm. i remembered in my youth there was an article with Angus Young in one of those Guitar Player type magazines that’s was so ubiquitous at the time. Angus mentioned that all Eddie Van Halen did was just finger exercises and that “his brother Malcolm is a better guitar player” (of course. AY had respect for his OLDER brother. that is the way they’re raised). Anyway ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. needless to say EVERYBODY was uber pissed that AY said that his brother was a better guitarist than EVH. that’s the way people like us are raised. it’s just an opinion of a sibling. yea. my brother is better than EVH. It doesn’t mean shite. i pronounced it as i was Scottish.

[@avh9394]

Always get suckered into watching your whole videos! Thank you, they're great! Dirty Deeds was the 2nd piece of Vinyl I ever bought with birthday/allowance money. it must have been '78ish, even though the original release I think was 74? That album opened a new world to me! Shortly after I heard Iron Maiden's, Run to the Hills, still own the 45 with the picto sleeve. I don't remember how old I was, 8/9 maybe? I bought it with my uncle at Honest Ed's a Toronto staple at the time, that no longer exists! Opened a whole new world of high energy Rock 'N' Roll music, never looked back! Had to go toe to toe with the Sabbath and Zeppelin fans, but once you dropped AC/DC & Maiden, they just took a step back!

[@roadlizardcu8664]

Kickin' band, love their catalog.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on! Thanks for watching!

[@David-yg4kc]

Another great episode Professor! I appreciate what you said about the music being a gateway for a powerful emotion - this is a very true and overlooked fact! I always wondered about the lyrics of Back in Black. I thought Bon's ghost might have dictated it but the story of Brian paying tribute, and the hurricane makes a lot of sense. My personal memory was at football practice, age 13 and a neighbour was playing the record. I'd already bought it and this was the first time I realised "other people" also liked ACDC. I didn't even know about Bon's death at the time, the transition to this album from Highway to Hell was seamless. Other bands have not done this well for example Queen and INXS. Led Zepplin disbanded after the death of their drummer. I would have blamed ACDC for continuing without Bon but for the fact that Bon's parents encouraged them to do so. Bon's legacy lives on!

[@andrewhall7853]

AC/DC was the soundtrack to my 70’s childhood in Australia. When Bon died it was hard to think that a new album with a new singer could transcend what they had done before but Back in Black was phenomenal. There are too many good Bon era songs to single one out. In my opinion the live album “If you want blood” showcases many of their best works at the bands peak and is possibly one of the greatest live albums ever for shear energy. Shoot to thrill is hard to beat as a post Bon song as is For those about to rock.

[@leskobrandon691]

I am in agreement about 'If you want Blood....' I remember when it came out, the ads on the radio playing Rock and Roll Damnation and being like I gotta have this album. Wore it out. Still my favourite.

[@chrisburk9424]

@@leskobrandon691 "If You Want Blood..." GREAT LP - cranked it to "11" on my old Technics Turntable, along with "Let There Be Rock", "Led Zep IV", "Women And Children First", and "Permanent Waves"/"Moving Pictures" - GREAT MEMORIES.

[@paulquatieri5624]

I started freshman in September 1980 and Back in Black was the album every freshman had. But sophomore year I heard of this great new (new to the US) international release from AC/DC “Dirty Deeds”. My friends and I jumped on the T headed to the “Coop” in Harvard Square to buy this album (the one place we knew who would have it). We couldn’t get enough AC/DC and eventually added every one of their albums to my collection. Keep up the great work I deeply appreciate your content. Thanks!

[@ericbgordon1575]

AC/DC is one of those bands that I've got as much respect as possible for - without being an actual fan/follower of theirs. They could so easily have decided to throw it in when Bon ended up dead, but they decided to push ahead. It's like the histories of Chicago, Toto or Def Leppard when each of them have lost crucial personnel.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very true. Perseverance.

[@richcar3434]

And then there's Foreigner,.. they scored big with Kelly Hansen, who's voice is a dead ringer for Lou Graham's.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I can agree on that for what little I've heard of Kelly,@@richcar3434.

[@richcar3434]

@@ericbgordon1575 I'm no expert here, so I'm expecting a lot of flack for saying "dead ringer"...but I'm just saying that it does sound good to me.

[@ericbgordon1575]

There are times when being loyal has its merits,@@richcar3434. As a Chicago fan that quickly became burned out with all the people clamoring for Peter Cetera to do even one reunion show with them when he made it clear that he did not intend to do anything of the kind and then was disappointed to learn that Jason Scheff (Peter's first successor) was moving on, I have to confirm that things do change. We can't be sure it will always be for the better, but we're not going to prevent the change.

[@stephenbrown4211]

I remember when I first heard this album. I was a young Metalhead and on holiday in Cornwall with some mates on a caravan park. We met some guys from Nottingham who were in a Metal band called Lone Wolf. The site had a clubhouse and on the Friday night we sat in the club drinking ale, huddled around my radio listening to Tommy Vance on the Friday Rock Show. He was playing the world debut of this album. We sat there in awe, occasionally making a comment on the songs. We all agreed it was a bloody brilliant album and cast aside all doubts AC/DC couldn't carry on without Bon. Bon was a legend and Beano is a living one.

[@MVonLang]

I’ll never forget the day my neighbor and friend showed up at my door with the Highway to Hell album. A life changing moment for sure.

[@grantbeerling4396]

During Bon's era, before they were known in the UK they did a tour that was recorded for 'student' audience ( around 1978 I think). The series is now a legend amongst us old fans it was called 'Rock goes to College' basically the format was new rock band playing a set at different student unions around the country. AC/DC exploded on the scene the music press of Melody Maker, New Musical Express and the new rock/punk paper ( yes they were newspapers, every Thursday I think) Sounds, all wet the bed, everybody was talking about them. Punk and New Wave were big, but there was something raw and honest about the band, no protest, just hard drinking rock and roll, helped by a Scottish front man who empitmasied everything of a hard Scottish working class/hard drinking/live for the moment rocker. Who it turned out, was also a brilliant blues lyricist (ie Powerage album). Enjoyed your video as usual.

[@mariaday712]

I remember I saw them live at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA. We had floor seats. We never sat down the whole time they were on stage. It was an awesome show. So much music and fun. At the end of the show Angus turns around and pulls his little shorts down and moons us all. Good thing he had Union Jack underwear on. I've never forgotten that. I love them and I'm so sorry that Malcolm has pasted. I hope he rests in peace. Thanks for covering them. Stay safe and take care.

[@corneliuscrewe677]

Which tour? I saw them there on the Blow Up Your Video with the huge turret cannons. Awesome show.

[@mattrogers1946]

The Crowd Palace. Saw many bands there.

[@corujoj]

Man, this channel is bad ass. A real breath of fresh air and relatable authenticity. Prof, you are the man! You really nail it with the content. My next pair of glasses with be Zenny, no doubt. Thank you for your hard work man.

[@christophernicola9293]

What an album.. I can remember being in scouts , getting told off for singing Rock n Roll ain't noise pollution at the top of my lungs.. and my old man cut up the cover of my Back in Black cassette to make something.. I was livid.. haha

[@Scottocaster6668]

"If you loved the smell of new albums or the taco shell aroma of those new clear cassette tapes, you've came to the right place!" Thanks Adam 👍.

[@bodge6886]

I was a young soldier when Bon died and a guy in the bed space next to me had an AC/DC tape that he played constantly and that was drilled into my head. The band symbolises for me that time when things could go from boredom to high octane in a second.👍. Love the band, love their sound although I am more likely to be heard playing classical gas on my Ovation the riff from Thunderstruck is never far away.

[@neilo316]

Being from Australia AC/DC is an institution! No night at the pub is complete without a few accadacca songs! Not my favorite band of all time, not even my favorite Aussie band (Cold Chisel) but they are THE band when you think of Aussie music and they were absolutely the soundtrack of the late 70's early 80's. The reverence they are held in here is something else, i'm sure it's akin to the pride the Brits have in The Beatles, or the Stones..... Back in Black is their masterpiece, and though Bon was already gone, this album doesn't become what it has without his legacy!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

bons age was perfect ...gave the group of young guys..teens in angus's case , the look of a world weary working man ...gave the music a look of toughness to match the sound. bon was perfect...one of the most distinctive voices in rock history....twice...pretty crazy how lightning struck twice

[@lennyboucher7842]

My first concert , 1983 ACDC & Fastway....I was 12 , molded who I became.....Love your channel bro , your educated knowledge and ability to articulate to perfection is impeccable

[@pwtchr9]

Who would buy one of their singles from Back in Black when buying the album would give you a whole package of songs worthy of single release and no fillers?

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Love this song. Absolutely awesome video. Very informative. I remember buying my first ACDC CD years ago.

[@Krullmatic]

I actually first heard the Highway to Hell album around 9 or 10 yrs old. My sister, who was 9 years older than me, was rocking out to it everytime my mom left for work, because my mom would've freaked out if she'd had known we were listening to it. I would always sing along, except I wouldn't sing the word "Hell" lol! Great nostalgia, man!

[@Kingfisher1215]

You are a great storyteller. I really enjoyed this. I reflected on being in HS when Bon died and Brian took over. We played highway to Hell often but when back in Black came out, it was played constantly at every event. Every game, every dance, every car cruising around town, ... this album was playing.

[@scaryperryx1050]

Bon Scott Died, 3 days before I came home from the hospital 🏥 after my near death auto accident. I came home on February 23rd, 1980. I was devastated when I heard the news. Then later that year. Out came THE MOST POWERFUL ROCK ALBUM OF ALL TIME. AC/DC BACK IN BLACK!!!

[@Sable30]

Love this video! It’s so cool how you can get these great interviews. I had to use the CC to help so glad you have that feature. I didn’t know that Bon gave his approval for Brian to replace him if necessary. I’m such a huge Bon Scott fan so it made me feel good that he was okay with the choice to continue with another singer. Keep up the great work! Oh and I’m a little old lady from Pasadena 😂

[@roscoemuttley]

The Bon Scott tribute song is "Have a Drink On Me", also Brian says his first song was "You Shook Me All Night Long"

[@timz9862]

There is video of Bon singing You Shook Me

[@silentdagger1166]

@@timz9862 link it

[@timz9862]

@@silentdagger1166 Sorry, audio not video. But here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z53al3-En6ecas0 It is possible that it's not him, but a cover band instead, but it sounds like him, and the lyrics are definitely something he'd write.

[@midnight347]

@@timz9862 that isn't bon I've heard it before just a soundalike trying to stir the pot. Bon didn't write anything ok BIB and the title track was written as a tribute to him after his death. The Youngs had music mostly done for the album but just before they was gonna get together with bon so he could add lyrics to the songs he unfortunately passed away. That is why it was such a quick and smooth transition to Brian all they had to do was write lyrics and record the album as most of the music was already done. It was 4 months from from his death till the BIB release but in those days they made an album a year sometimes 2 in one year. It isn't that crazy to think they could have finished it that quickly with all I've said. They loved bon like a brother there is no way they don't credit him on the album had he wrote some or all of it. He isn't credited.

[@FrancisTheBerd]

@@timz9862 It's not him at all...

[@randybennett204]

I had some AWESOME prof.s In college in the Late 70's thru early 80's !!! You are becoming one of my favorite prod's of all time! Keep up the great work.

[@azyxz8968]

At that time my brother died in a car accident, I was 10 at the time, diving into ac/dc highway to hell/back in black albums helped me cope with a loss of a sibling and propelled me into the world of guitar which I still play to this day. Not enough can be said about the global and cultural influence these blokes have gifted the world.

[@kellingtonlink956]

Thanks again for the video. You just hit a thousand hits. Well deserved. Cheers.

[@bassist2065]

Back in Black is the album that started it all for me. It’s the reason I’m into music as much as I am. It’s also the reason I love the SG. My dad played it once on the house audio system, and I was hooked.

[@Brandolupa]

back in black was my intro to AC/DC as well. i was about 10 (it was the early 90s) and i was riding in my uncles truck when he put the tape in the tape deck and i was instantly hooked. i had really only listened to country up to that point, but something spoke to my soul. He listened to them to warm up during track meets, and it is something i continued myself through middle and high school, in addition to having this blasting during my jr and sr year ag classes (cause i had a cool teacher) ive been a huge fan for almost 3 decades now, having just turned 38, and to this day i still get chills when i hear the bells from hells bells, and i instantly start smiling when i hear that imfamous opening rift

[@lisamorrison2149]

Back In Black was just not a great album, but a fitting tribute to Bon Scott. And he had the foresight (premonition?) to name Johnson as his successor. Very cool.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great story eh?

[@bombercountyblues]

@@ProfessorofRock not so sure it was only when when he got to England that he saw him though... there's footage here on yt of Geordie performing little Richard covers on Australian tv in 1974..

[@karlfran0404]

Wow Prof Rock you’re awesome. I love these videos, and learn so much depth to the songs and bands I love. Thanks for the insights. For those about to rock, we salute you.

[@WellOfEchoes]

I’d love to have seen a jam session between Malcolm and Eddie VH…two of the most - if not the most - influential guitarists of our time. I guarantee eating and sleeping would have not even been a thought for days.

[@tacoscamp]

We had an 8-track player in the garage and I used to wear that thing out with this album. I was sure then as well as now that it is the greatest hard rock album ever made. A masterpiece of grit and guts and good fun. God bless Mal, too, for providing so much to the band's sound, may he rest in peace.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I had to sneak and play it during the days because my mother would've whipped my ass like my name was Miracle (whip). I miss my parents 😕 Rock On 🎸 Classmates!✊