As the resident metal head, I thought it was time to crank this up a notch. Hell, all the way to 11 actually. AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” marked a pivotal moment in rock and roll history as it would be this Mutt Lange produced album was AC/DC’s first BIG hit record. Unfortunately it was also the last album for AC/DC front man Bon Scott who you will hear singing Highway to Hell in the video below. Days after recording this video on Spanish TV Bon died after “doing the right thing” and trying to sleep off a night of drinking. He choked on his own vomit and died without ever really getting to enjoy the amazing success he and the rest of the band were about to realize.
Brian Johnson, the current front man for AC/DC, was actually picked by Bon Scott himself to be his replacement. Sure Brian had to audition for the Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm who ran the band, but they knew him already, and after watching him play in his own band Bon Scott once said “If I died, that guy there could take my place.” And so it was. Brian Johnson would start with AC/DC’s first #1 album, Back In Black in 1980. They’ve been unstoppable ever since, and have tons of BangShift Daily Tuneup worthy songs. We’ll have more I’m sure, but until then listen and watch the master.
RIP Bon Scott. I hope the Highway to Hell was fast, fun, and full of tire smoke.
If Highway to Hell isn’t in your iPod, it should be. Listen here, then get the song. Crank it up and hit the highway. You’ll be glad you did.
There is a statue of Bon Scott erected in Fremantle, Austrailia in his honor.
We have an AC/DC tribute band named, “Powerage”, that performs in the S.F. Bay Area and does one helluva good job covering the music and performances.
http://speakofthepower.com/
I’ve heard Powerage before! I saw them live years and years ago with Lamont and Tonelli at a bar off the El Camino. They were great.
I still haven’t seen AC/DC live which is so weird since they are my favorite band ever. I would die to see them live. Plus, Brian Johnson is a real car guy. He races and everything.
Gee whiz, I thought Bangshift banned all talk about religion . . . .
A rockin’ song jam-packed with simply ridiculous theology.
BTW, Brian Johnson is a massive “petrolhead” and a better lead singer than Bon . . .urp . . . choak . . . Scott ever thought about being.
I saw AC/DC live in 1983. I was too close to the cannon during “For Those About To Rock”, and I’m not lying when I tell you my ears are ringing to this day.
Brian Johnson had the fastest time one year in the Star In A Reasonably Priced Car on Top Gear.
Bon Scott was the best. He played bagpipes on It’s A Long Way To The Top.
Real Name: Ronald Belford Scott.
AC/DC sold a lot more records with Johnson than they ever did with Scott.
BTW, “It’s a Long Way to the Top” is better without bagpipes, IMHO.
Racist song Just listen to the lyrics
Livin easy , Lovin free, RIGHT HERE!!
The hell with my ipod …. the damn cd is in my cd player right now …. pulled into work blasting “If you want blood” …. worked late last night and after having a co-worker drill that damn gangam style crap into my head i needed something that was going to disolve it like a big alka seltzer ….. and BANG shift … there it was HIGHWAY TO HELL … played at level 11 all the way home and right back to work this am…. on the HIGHWAY TO HELL RT.39 aka Beach Blvd!…. R.I.P Bon Scott