AC/DC is a classic hard rock band from Australia that formed in 1973. They started with Dave Evans as their lead singer but soon replaced him with Bon Scott in 1974. Bon’s powerful and catchy vocals led the band to success with their debut album, High Voltage, in 1975, and they continued to make great music, culminating in the highly acclaimed album Highway to Hell in 1979.
Unfortunately, Highway to Hell would be Bon Scott’s last album with AC/DC as he passed away from alcohol poisoning in February 1980. Losing a key member can often have a negative impact on a band’s future, as we’ve seen with other bands like T. Rex, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin. It can result in a decline in fan support, creativity, and morale.
However, AC/DC made the decision to carry on without Bon Scott in the spring of 1980. They brought in Brian Johnson as the new lead singer, a choice that had been approved by Bon himself. Angus Young, the guitarist, recalled Bon mentioning Brian as a great rock and roll singer in the style of Little Richard, who was Bon’s idol.
With Brian Johnson on board, AC/DC defied the odds and continued their success. They recorded their next album, Back in Black, in 1980, which maintained the momentum they had gained from Highway to Hell. Brian was able to capture Bon Scott’s dynamic stage presence and helped the band reach new heights of success in the early 1980s.
While the title track “Back in Black” is the most well-known song from the album, Brian Johnson has often mentioned that “You Shook Me All Night Long” is his personal favorite AC/DC track. It was the first song he recorded with the band. The title and the chorus came together effortlessly, and Brian credits Malcolm and Angus Young for that. He believes it has one of the greatest rock and roll riffs he has ever heard.
In another interview, Brian reaffirmed his love for “You Shook Me All Night Long” and considered it one of the greatest rock songs in history. He mentioned that it holds a special place in his heart as it was the first song he wrote with the band. The song’s groovy beat is unforgettable, and he still enjoys performing it on stage. According to Brian, it might just be one of the best rock songs ever written.
