A sample of " Uncle Joe's Record Guide - Hard Rock" - AC/DC (a history).

AC/DC   This is a direct excerpt from UNCLE JOE'S RECORD GUIDE - HARD ROCK, Copyright (c) 1995 by J. Benson Unlimited. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.   AC/DC began in early 1973 as a grungy Australian bar band. By the time they hired one of their roadies (Bon Scott) as their lead vocalist in mid-1974, the band's distinctive brand of hard-edged rock had been honed razor sharp by hundreds of gigs on Australia's killer circuit of small rock & roll clubs. Espousing a party-till-you-puke attitude in their lyrics, AC/DC became masters at taking the energy levels of their performance to the edge. In 1976, their first foray across the ocean failed because America, even more than England, proved unready for so much raw power. After several more false starts, 1979's Highway To Hell came closest to breaking the band out of its cult status. Following Bon Scott's untimely death in 1980, they quickly recorded a follow-up. That new album, Back In Black, became one of the biggest hard rock albums of all time. If the story of AC/DC were to end there, the influence of their sound and fury on every third generation hard rock band would still qualify them as legends. But soon, AC/DC descended into a five-year slump worthy of Rob Riener's satirical movie This Is Spinal Tap. In 1986 the band finally found their musical direction again. In early 1988 AC/DC released an album equal in quality and fury to their early days. With their next release, their comeback compared to Aerosmith's.    With worldwide album sales in excess of 80 million, AC/DC has achieved hard rock commercial success second only to Led Zeppelin - all without one recorded acoustic guitar or a soft ballad!    AC/DC has always utilized the same format as the Rolling Stones - two guitarists, a vocalist, drummer and bassist. But more than most other bands, AC/DC's sound and success depended upon the elusive magical spark of creativity, and a talented producer. But they so perfectly defined the very essence of rock & roll that Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) identified AC/DC as his favorite band - an endorsement not to be taken lightly!   AC/DC Birth Dates Mark Evans - March 2, 1956 Brian Johnson - October 5, 1947 Phil Rudd - May 19, 1954 Bon Scott - July 9, 1946-September 19, 1980 Chris Slade - October 30, 1946 Cliff Williams - December 14, 1949 Simon Wright - June 19, 1963 Angus Young - March 31, 1959 Malcolm Young - January 6, 1953     AC/DC Back In Black(22-20)   8th Australian LP, 6th U.S. LP, released 8/80. On February 19, 1980, just before the recording sessions for this album were to begin, AC/DC's vocalist Bon Scott died at the age of 33 - a victim of his hard partying lifestyle. Two months later, after some quick rehearsals and writing sessions with 32-year-old vocalist Brian Johnson, the band began to record in the Bahamas. The interaction between the Australian band and their new vocalist was perfect. Starting in April at Compass Point Studios, Johnson, guitarists 27-year-old Malcolm and 21-year-old Angus Young, 30-year-old bassist Cliff Williams and 26-year-old drummer Phil Rudd worked quickly, and the project was finished by late May. Once again, the production was handled by Robert John "Mutt" Lange (who next worked wonders for Def Leppard and Foreigner).    Back In Black was AC/DC's first album to chart in the American Top 5 (it hit #4), and a long, immensely successful world tour followed its release. On August 22, 1981, part way through the extended Back In Black world tour, AC/DC headlined the Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington in England. The Australian band was at the top of the rock & roll world!    Their finest recorded effort to date, Back In Black was dedicated to the memory of Bon Scott. It sold over 10 million copies in the U.S., another seven million worldwide, and is still considered to be one of the best hard rock albums of all time!   Back In Black - Side One "Hells Bells" "Shoot To Thrill" "What Do You Do For Money, Honey" "Giving The Dog A Bone" "Let Me Put My Love Into You"   Back In Black - Side Two "Back In Black" charted at #37 in February 1981. AC/DC's first American Top 40 hit, "You Shook Me All Night Long" reached #35 in November 1980. "Have A Drink On Me" "Shake A Leg" "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"