Even with forty-plus years of recording and touring under their belts, don’t expect to find AC/DC slowing down any time soon. Following the release of their newest album “Rock or Bust” in November 2014, these quintessential rock and roll boys from Down Under are preparing to embark on a world tour to further promote the album and likewise celebrate the band’s 40th Anniversary. Several upcoming concert dates throughout Europe will commence in Holland on May 5, 2015, with shows in the United States set to open on August 22nd at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
“Rock or Bust” marks the band’s fifteenth internationally released album, and is the first collection on which founding band member Malcolm Young did not perform due to long-rumored failing health. As you probably already know, the band finally confirmed last year that Malcolm has been diagnosed with dementia, even though all selections on the new release are still credited as being written by Malcolm and younger brother Angus. He will be replaced on the “Rock or Bust” World Tour by the brothers’ nephew, Stevie Young, who also recorded all of Malcolm’s guitar parts on the album and has toured with the band in the past. Also missing in action for the “Rock or Bust” tour is long-time band drummer Phil Rudd, who recently pled guilty in New Zealand to charges of threatening the life of his former personal assistant and drug possession. Eternal AC/DC aficionados out there will certainly be relieved to know that former AC/DC member Chris Slade, who was the band’s drummer from ’89-’94, has agreed to be Rudd’s replacement on their upcoming World Tour.
Ensuring that their latest show does continue to proceed as planned should be no surprise to those who have followed the band for decades, as AC/DC has certainly overcome great tragedy in their past, most notably, the alcohol-related death of lead vocalist Bon Scott in February 1980. Scott had been with the group since 1974 and the other members had briefly considered hanging it up following his untimely passing. After being encouraged to move forward by Scott’s parents, and with new front man Brian Johnson in place, AC/DC released their “Back in Black” album later in 1980 as a tribute to Scott. The album, which included the iconic “You Shook Me All Night Long,” eventually went on to rank as the sixth best-selling rock album of all time.
In addition to founding member Angus Young, other familiar AC/DC faces along for the “Rock or Bust” tour are bassist Cliff Williams, an AC/DC mainstay since the late ’70s, and of course, Johnson, who has never laid down his microphone since being hired to replace Scott. Keeping the group family-oriented and insulated with long-term musician membership has proven successful in keeping the band relevant and true to its roots, even forty years after they first started rocking. In a 2014 interview with Forbes Magazine, Jesse Fink, author of a recent biography of the Young Brothers, said: “AC/DC don’t force experimental new songs on their audience. They give them what they want.”
By all indications, AC/DC is still intent on rocking this world for many years to come with their traditional high voltage performances. AC/DC tickets for the “Rock or Bust” tour are still available so don’t miss your chance to rock out to some of the best rock and roll on the planet.
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