Heavy Rock 'n' Rollers

Today in Music History: October 25, 1980

Rock 'n' Roll greatly influenced by rhythm and blues and country music spans many decades originating and evolving in the United States during the late 40s and early 50s. Its roots run deep experiencing its first big wave in the 50s, then, developing through the years into the more encompassing international style known as "rock music", a genre of popular music. Rock music drew strongly on a number of other genres such as blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources. One of the best-loved and hardest-rocking bands in the world is in the spotlight today who preferred to be categorized as 'rock and rollers' but were actually pioneers of Heavy Metal.

AC/DC  is an Australian rock band with a grungy image formed in 1973 by brothers, Malcolm and Angus Young. Angus performs in a schoolboy uniform but before adopting this trademark, he performed in gorilla, Zorro and Superman outfits. The band members themselves often had difficulty getting into some of their shows because they look as scruffy as their fans.

AC/DC is an English term for bisexual. The band did not know this, and has spent a lot of time trying to demonstrate that they like only women. They chose the name after Angus and Malcolm's sister saw "AC/DC" on a sewing machine - an abbreviation for "Alternating Current/Direct Current", a scientific name for converting electricity.

“We've never pulled any punches,” vocalist Brian Johnson has said. “We just play music that’s fun and simple--the way our audience likes it.”

Oct 25, 1980: Australian rock gods AC/DC earn their first Top 40 hit with 'You Shook Me All Night Long'.

More than 30 years later, AC/DC are still inspiring rock fans all around the world with their unique sounds and powerful lyrics.

In 2009 the Recording Industry Association of America upgraded the group's US sales figures from 69 million to 71 million, making AC/DC the fifth-best-selling band in US history and the tenth-best-selling artist, selling more albums than Madonna and Mariah Carey. The RIAA also certified Back in Black as double Diamond (20 million) in US sales, and by 2007 the album had sold 22 million copies, which made it the fifth-best-selling album of all-time in the US. It is currently the second-best-selling album worldwide.

• Brian Johnson came up with the line "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean" when he realized that cars and women were very much alike - they go fast, let you down, but then make you happy again when you see the new model. AC/DC has never been known for deep, meaningful lyrics.
• There is an AC/DC tribute band called Hayseed Dixie that plays their songs in a Bluegrass style. There is also an all-female tribute band in Seattle called Hell's Belles.
• In 1989, the US military blared AC/DC music at General Manuel Noriega's compound in Panama for 2 days straight. The dictator surrendered.

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And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...