When you think of the legendary band AC/DC, it's hard not to feel a surge of nostalgia and excitement. Their sound is so distinctive that anyone familiar with their music could predict exactly what they were about to hear as soon as the record started spinning.
The genius behind Angus and Malcolm Young was their ability to strike the perfect balance between raw rock energy and catchy riffs. Sure, their formula could sometimes feel repetitive, but who could really blame them? They crafted some of the most infectious guitar hooks coupled with lyrics that bordered on the outrageous. So, when they noticed some of their peers chasing commercial success by altering their sound, you can imagine they had a lot to say about it.
However, AC/DC always adhered to a very particular style of rock and roll. In their view, the true spirit of this genre originated from the blues and faded out just before The Beatles revolutionized music. They had no time for the pop icons of the 1950s, and once Elvis Presley was drafted into the military, that marked the end of their interest in that era. This was a narrow focus, but it was all they needed as they began crafting their iconic songs alongside Bon Scott in the early days.
What’s truly remarkable about AC/DC is how straightforward their music appears. They never aimed to overindulge or drag out lengthy guitar solos that stretched on for ages. Instead, their priority was ensuring that every concert delivered an unforgettable experience for fans, rather than veering off into acoustic sets or collaborations with hip-hop artists.
Such diversions simply weren't part of their identity. Therefore, when the landscape of rock began to shift in the 1980s, AC/DC pressed forward, steadfast in their original approach. The release of "Back in Black" at the dawn of the decade cemented their legacy in rock history. Although a handful of their tracks gained popularity on MTV, they never fit the mold of being visually appealing like some of their peers. That spotlight was reserved for the glam-infused musicians of the Sunset Strip, which must have been disheartening, especially when watching someone like David Coverdale thrive.
Angus himself confessed that he didn’t particularly care for any specific era of Deep Purple, yet Coverdale's journey from blues-influenced vocalist to pop sensation was hard to ignore. He had certainly studied the greats before him, and while he managed to bring some soul to the early days of Whitesnake, the transition to power ballads like ‘Is This Love’ led AC/DC to distance themselves from his evolving style.
Malcolm, having witnessed Coverdale’s transformation firsthand, found the video for ‘Here I Go Again’ showcasing Coverdale's extravagant hairstyle to be the tipping point. He famously remarked, “David Coverdale’s got success, but he’s had to become a pop singer to get it. There are always your glam bands and your denim-clad groups. Oftentimes, you’ll find that the denim-clad groups endure while the glam ones fade away.” His observation rings true, though it took a while for broader audiences to catch on.
The time frame of AC/DC's album "Blow Up Your Video" coincided with the peak of hair metal, yet when Nirvana ushered in the grunge movement at the start of the 1990s, many began to see how dated those glam bands appeared. Whitesnake was just one of many bands leaning into this glamorous aesthetic, and as groups like Winger and Warrant gained popularity, it became essential for everyone to reconsider what defined 'cool.'
So, when AC/DC made a powerful comeback with ‘Thunderstruck’ in the early 90s, it was a welcome surprise for the alternative scene as well. The Australian rock legends never felt the need to reinvent themselves; their unwavering dedication to delivering solid riffs ensured they remained a staple on rock radio.
