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The ultimate rock songs from the ultimate rock ’n’ roll band

Founded in the suburbs of Western Sydney and hardened by years playing Australia’s cutthroat pub circuit, AC/DC’s status as one of the world’s greatest bands was sealed early. Kickstarting their career with a run of classic albums–High Voltage, T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap–the combination of Malcolm Young’s rock-solid rhythm guitar, Angus Young’s fretboard pyrotechnics, Phil Rudd’s metronome-like drumming and frontman Bon Scott’s hard-living, gutter-poet persona yielded songs like “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’N’ Roll)” and “T.N.T.”. So solid was their musical foundation and so singular was the Young brothers’ focus that even when Scott passed away in 1980, AC/DC moved forward with replacement vocalist Brian Johnson, releasing one of the biggest albums of all time in that year’s Back in Black. Throughout the decades, right up to 2008’s “Rock ’N’ Roll Train” and 2014’s “Rock or Bust”, the musical formula has never changed—no-nonsense blues-infused rock ’n’ roll that, despite being supercharged with distortion, is as notable for each player’s restraint as it is their volume. AC/DC’s influence on generations of musicians is undeniable, as these tributes from Australian artists speaking exclusively to Apple Music attest.

Chris Cheney (The Living End)
“As a guitar player, to listen to two players such as Malcolm and Angus Young playing together is pure sonic joy. They are honestly two of the all-time greatest players, not only playing in the same band but in perfect symmetry. It’s well known that Malcolm could really shred if he wanted to, but his playing always served the song, and it’s the discipline and space in his sledgehammer rhythms that are the backbone of AC/DC and what gives Angus the room to do his stuff on top. That’s class right there.”

Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel)
“They reset the bar for hard rock in the world. If you wanted to be up there with the best you had to compete with them. Not many did.”

Lisa Origliasso (The Veronicas)
“We grew up listening to every AC/DC record on vinyl. We even did school projects on Bon Scott. Jess’ main guitar touring in The Veronicas for the first 10 years was a Gibson Angus Young Signature SG bought with our first pay cheque.”

Darren Middleton (Powderfinger)
“‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ was a definite moment for me. I remember taking my VHS tape down to my cousins’ place in Sydney for Christmas and just playing it to them over and over, telling them how I was learning the guitar solo, that I was going to ‘do this’, and then promptly re-enacting Angus writhing on the floor with his guitar. There are so many amazing songs on this record and Brian Johnson did an incredible job with huge shoes to fill. It’s raw, gritty and still feels present, desperate and played as though their lives depended on it. I also think the consistency of that band keeps them ingrained in the social music conscience. That and having a truckload of amazing songs.”

Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy)
“The main impact Back in Black had on my life and music is: silence. It taught me a lot about the gaps in between the notes. One thing you’ll notice listening to AC/DC is that they rarely blast the listener with a wall of sound. The riffs have gaps. The drums are simple and well defined. Can’t have impact without silence.”

Brett Jansch (Dune Rats)
“Who doesn't froth air drumming that part just before the chorus of ‘Shoot to Thrill’?”

Reuben Styles (Peking Duk)
“I remember Back in Black being one of the very first CDs my dad gave me for Christmas. He was a full-time jazz guitarist (at the time), so he was super picky when it came to listening to guitar-focused music. He said Angus Young, Hendrix and Jimmy Page are the ones to listen to. So I listened. And not long after that I wanted to start playing.”

Adam Hyde (Peking Duk)
“Every time I hear that bell in ‘Hells Bells’, I want to jump on my skateboard and try something gnarly. It would get me hyped to try things I wouldn't have dared try if that album wasn't playing. It's pure, unapologetic rock ’n’ roll. Can't beat that.”

Nic Cester (Jet)
“The song ‘Back in Black’ will always conjure up the most vivid memories for me, having had the chance to sing it with both Muse and AC/DC. Big moments.”

Brad Cox
“I first played drums in a high school band in Year 7. I think of the five songs we first learned, all five were Acca Dacca songs.”

Dec Martens (Amyl and the Sniffers)
“When I first started trying to tighten up the rhythm of my playing, I'd play along to Back in Black and just play all of Malcolm’s parts. His playing is known widely as the best rhythm guitar playing, so I thought if I can play like him I can play good. I've definitely borrowed a few of his moves and the way he plays chords.”

Sam Teskey (The Teskey Brothers)
“Unfortunately I never got to see AC/DC live, but everything I've seen and heard resonates with the connection of energy between them and the crowd. It fuels a seriously energetic vibe that makes everyone move as one. It’s almost as if you can hear everyone in the room breathing at the same time with the music. Like a primal chant.”

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