I am not one to usually quote other writers, but I have to say that journalist Katherine Turman hit it right on the head when I read a blurb she wrote about the legendary hard rock band AC/DC in relation to their “reliability” as a band you can always count on to give their all in a concert.
Ms. Turman said quite succinctly” “You can rely on death, taxes, and AC/DC concerts,” and that just about wraps up the legacy of the best and most enduring rock band from Australia.
For over 30 years now, and with very little change in style, if at all, AC/DC has been assaulting the rock world with in-your-face power chords and lyrics that, while not always the deepest, have become some of rock’s must durable. And unlike some groups whose live concerts do not always translate well to video, AC/DC’s live spectacle is a case study for how to put on a concert that can (and should) be preserved on video.
This 2 DVD set, Plug Me In (which covers the years 1975-1979 and 1981-2003), shows the band evolve from local Australian heroes to kings of arena rock. While AC/DC is shown as a bit hectic and sporadic in early footage, their rawness and energy level (which is matched by very few) is always present, even in the earliest celluloid footage which dates back to 1975, (a performance of “High Voltage” from the King Of Pop Awards).
The split of the DVD showcases the two main AC/DC lineups: the Bon Scott-led days; and the later and current days with replacement vocalist Brian Johnson.
It is hard to imagine what would have happened if Scott had not tragically died in February of 1980. AC/DC may have still become the behemoth it did become, or they could have imploded under the guidance of the hard living Scott.
The first DVD does prove that Scott certainly was one the best front-men in rock history. The highlight of the first DVD is from an August 1979 gig where the band rips through “Highway To Hell,” “The Jack,” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” so intensely you have to wonder, especially when you consider the sometimes bloated state of hard rock in 1979, who was even in their league at that time (mind you, I am not counting Led Zeppelin or Van Halen in that assessment).
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
But Johnson brought his sound-alike voice...
what?
sound-alike?
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Oh, come on Mark...
Just like Journey, AC/DC was trying to find a dead-ringer.Unfortunately, even though Brian Johnson had a raspy style, there is no way in hell that he was ever like Bon Scott and you could hear his voice progressively get worse with every release.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Oh, Come on Mark...
Just like Journey, AC/DC tried to find a dead-ringer. Unfortunately, even though Mr. Johnson had a raspy/bluesy voice,ther was no way in hell that he could ever hold up to the range that Bon Scott had and he got progressively worse with ever release. Bon Scott sang,Brian Johnson strained.
4 - Mark Saleski
i don't care what they were trying to do, the point is that i don't think one singer sounds like the other.
...and this is coming from somebody who likes both guys.
5 - JC Mosquito
Add in Dan McCafferty's "sound alike" voice from Nazareth, and a half dozen other rockers, and there would be at least a few people out there who couldn't tell the diff. But individual voices are very nuanced, and upon repeated listenings, the nuances are more obvious.
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yea, the point is that they would never be able to find another Bon Scott. Nuanced or not, it was a blatent attempt to find the same sound. You can get as PC as you want to, but those are the facts. Without a frontman who was very similiar to Mr. Scott, AC/DC would've disbanded. And, to support John's contemplation, they probably would've broken up sooner or later even if Bon Scott stayed alive.
7 - Mark Saleski
what the heck does 'PC' have to do with this? i don't care what their supposed agenda was. all i know is that everybody thought they were done for and then they came out with the stupendous Back In Black.
8 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
The word "political" & term "politically correct" can apply to more than just government topics. I was merely reacting to your comment, which happens to be the 1st comment on this thread. To say that Brian Johnson didn't sound alot like Bon Scott is overlooking the obvious. I'm not taking anything away from a band trying to return to its previous state, again, just pointing out a fact. They had a successful,talented sound w/ Mr. Scott. SO, who wouldn't want a return to that?!
9 - Mark Saleski
i'm well aware of the variations on 'pc'...but i was putting no spin on the fact that i don't think that Johnson sounds like Scott. that's all.
10 - El Bicho
I am confused.
why would you wonder who was in their league when you immediately point out two bands who were?
And I have to agree with Mark. Bon and Brian don't sound alike at all.
11 - ray
Led Zeppelin were one of the most bloated bands of all, so how are they exempt? Plant by that time couldn't even sing and Page was too drugged up to play guitar, and their live show rambled on and on directionless. Sad to say but John Bonham's death was probably a good thing for the band as it brought about its end before some serious and permanent reputation damage could have been caused (so they can be continued to be overrated).
AC/DC have always been dynamic no matter what, end of story
12 - Kenny Walsh
Great review John. You really hit it on the head.
And I don't know what the hell Mark Saleski and El Bicho are whining about: Brian and Bon sound very similar.
Get a life guys and stop attacking other people. It makes you both look petty and immature.
13 - Mark Saleski
ah, i love old threads!
i attacked nobody...merely pointed out that i don't think the two voices sound alike.
other people agreed with me. others don't.
14 - Kenny Walsh
You love old threads - you should since you are too.
You are always so critical of others, but can't take it yourself, Mark.
Just stay home and read you old Lester Bangs reviews and remind yourself once again what you can never be.
15 - Mark Saleski
you should get a life and stop attacking other people. it makes you look petty and immature.
16 - Jordan Richardson
Kenny, I believe it was you that left this nugget:
Get a life guys and stop attacking other people. It makes you both look petty and immature.
Take your own advice, yeah? This thread and the "attacks" you sprang up to whine about ran its course almost a year ago. Move on. They've long since stopped "attacking other people." You should too.
17 - Jordan Richardson
Missed it by that much!
18 - Kenny Walsh
Brilliant Mark, you just plagiarized most of my first comment. You are so clever. Very original. Great comeback.
19 - Mark Saleski
it was one of those pot/kettle things.
it's what us old people do.
20 - El Bicho
Who is whining and attacking? Just pointing out a place where I thought the author contradicted himself and my disagreement that Bon and Brian sound alike. Apparently you can disagree with us, but we can't disagree with the writer, is that it?
21 - Josh Hathaway
I never thought Brian and Bon sounded that similar. The only vocal similarity they share is that they both have pretty distinctive voices.
If this is what passes for an internet attack, I shudder to think what we call what happens on the politics threads on the site.