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{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = ]
|Img = Rudd-Williams-Johnson2.jpg
|Img_capt = AC/DC, from left to right: ], ], ], ] and ]
|Img_size = 230
|Background = group_or_band
|Alias =
|Origin = {{flagicon|Australia}} ], ]
|Genre = ]<br />]<br />]<br/>
<!--Please discuss on the talk page before changing the genres. Thank you..-->
|Years_active = ] — present
|Label = ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| URL = http://www.acdcrocks.com/
|Associated_acts =
|Current_members = ] — vocals<br />] — lead guitar<br />] — rhythm guitar<br />] — bass<br />] — drums
|Past_members = ] <small>(deceased)</small><br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]
<!--Please don't add the minor members here, we already have an article for them. Thanks.-->
}}
{{about|the band|other uses|AC-DC}}

<!-- British English accepts the use of plural form when referring to a band. Please do not change "AC/DC are" to "AC/DC is", and so on. -->
'''AC/DC''' are a ] band formed in ], ] in 1973 by brothers ] and ]. The band are considered pioneers of ], alongside bands such as ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web | title=AC/DC Biography | work=The Rock Radio | url=http://www.therockradio.com/ac-dc/biography.html | date = April 2005 | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> Its members, however, have always classified their music as "]".<ref name="Bonfire">{{cite book | first = Murray | last = Engleheart | title = AC/DC - Bonfire | date = ] | }}</ref>

AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, '']'', in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist ] replaced ] in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album, '']''. Lead singer and co-songwriter ] died on ], ], after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-] singer ] was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their biggest-selling album, '']''.

The band's next album, '']'', was also highly successful and was the first hard rock album to reach #1 in the ]. AC/DC declined in popularity, however, soon after the departure of drummer ] in 1983. Poor record sales continued until the release of '']'' in 1990. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 and contributed to the band's 1995 album '']''. '']'' was released in 2000 and was well-received by critics. A new album is expected in 2007.

AC/DC have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, including more than 68 million albums in the U.S.<ref name="riaa1">{{cite web | title=Top Artists | date = ] | work= ] | url=http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topartists.asp | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> ''Back in Black'' has sold 42 million units worldwide, including 21 million in the U.S.,<ref name="riaa2">{{cite web | title=Top Albums | date = ] | work= ] | url=http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topalbums.asp | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> making it the second-highest-selling album ever internationally, and the biggest-selling album by any ''band''.<ref>{{cite web | title=Record Breakers and Trivia: Albums | work= EveryHit |url=http://www.everyhit.co.uk/recordalb.html | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> The band are ranked fourth on ]'s ''100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock''.<ref>{{cite web | title=100 Greatest artists of hard rock | work= ] | url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/62188/episode_wildcard.jhtml?wildcard=/shows/dynamic/includes/wildcards/the_greatest/hardrock_list_full.jhtml&event_id=862769&start=81 | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref>

==Name==
Angus and Malcolm Young claim they developed the idea for the band's name after seeing the acronym "AC/DC" on the back of a ] owned by their sister, Margaret. "AC/DC" is an abbreviation for "]/]", which indicates that an electrical device can use either type of power. The brothers felt that this name symbolised the band's raw energy and power-driven performances, and the name stuck.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://classicrock.about.com/od/artistsae1/p/ac_dc.htm | title = AC/DC | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = White, Dave | work = ] - Classic rock }}</ref><ref name="ddd">{{cite web | title=Band Name Origins | work=Digital Dream Door | url=http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/music0_name.html | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref>

In some cultures, "AC/DC" is a slang term for ]; the band have said that they were not aware of this usage until it was brought to their attention by fans.<ref name="acdc.cc" /> Some religious figures have suggested that the name stands for "Anti-Christ/Devil's Child(ren)", "Anti-Christ/Devil Christ", "After Christ/Devil Comes", "Anti-Christ/Death to Christ", and so on. Although rumours have persisted among critics attempting to paint the band as ], the band have denied these interpretations of their name, and have mocked the accusations.<ref name="ddd" />

"AC/DC" is pronounced one letter at a time, though the band are known as "Acca Dacca" among some Australian fans. The name has inspired ]s, including BC/DC from the ] province of ];<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.bcdc.ca/ | title = BC/DC official website | accessdate = 2006-12-30 }}</ref> AC/DShe, an all-female group from ];<ref>{{cite web | url =http://acdshe.com/ | title = AC/DShe official website | accessdate = 2006-12-30 }}</ref> and ], an ]n band specialising in ] covers.

==History==
Brothers ], ], and ] were born in ], ], and moved to ] with most of their family in 1963. George was the first to learn to play the ]. He became a member of ], Australia's most successful band of the 1960s. In 1966, they became the first local rock act to have an international hit, with the song "]".<ref name=albertmusic>{{cite web | title=History of Albert Music | first = Glenn A. | last = Baker | url=http://www.albertmusic.com/history.htm | work= ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title="Friday on my Mind" by The Easybeats | work=] | url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3046 | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> Malcolm followed in George's footsteps by playing with a ] band called The Velvet Underground (not to be confused with the New York-based ]).<ref name="cwalker">{{cite book | title=Highway to Hell: The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott | year=2001 | id=ISBN 1-891-24113-3 | author=Walker, Clinton | pages=pp. 128-133}}</ref>

===Early years===
In November 1973, Malcolm and Angus Young formed AC/DC and recruited ] ], ] ], and ], ex-] ].<ref>{{cite web | title=Rock Snaps | work=] | url=http://www.abc.net.au/arts/rocksnaps/photos/s33884.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-01}}</ref> The band played their first gig at a club named Chequers in ] on New Year's Eve, 1973.<ref name="longwaytimeline">{{cite web | title=Long Way to the Top | work=] | url=http://www.abc.net.au/longway/timeline/ | accessdate = 2006-12-01}}</ref> They were later signed to the ]-distributed ] label for Australia and ]. The early line-up of the band changed often; ] was the first member fired, and several bassists and drummers passed through the band during the next year (see '']'').

By this time, Angus Young had adopted his characteristic ] stage outfit. The original uniform was reputedly from his secondary school, ] in Sydney; the idea was his sister Margaret's. Angus had tried other costumes, such as ], ], a ], and a parody of ], named Super-Ang.<ref name="cwalker" />

The Young brothers decided that Evans was not a suitable frontman for the group, because they felt he was more of a ] like ].<ref name="paulstenning">{{cite book | last=Stenning | first=Paul | coauthors=Rob Johnstone | year=2005 | month=November | title=AC/DC - Two Sides to Every Glory | publisher= Chrome Dreams | id=ISBN 1-8424-0308-7 | pages=32-34 }}</ref> On stage, Evans was occasionally replaced by the band's first ], Dennis Laughlin. Evans had interpersonal problems with Laughlin, which also contributed to the band's ill feeling towards Evans.<ref name="paulstenning" /> Meanwhile, the band's driver, ], was interested in becoming their vocalist because he had experience as a singer.

===Bon Scott era (1974&ndash;1980)===
]
In September 1974, Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans. Scott was a former lead vocalist with ] (1964&ndash;66), ] (1966&ndash;70), and ] (1970&ndash;73). The band had recorded only one single with Evans, "Can I Sit Next To You"/"Rockin' In The Parlour", and "Can I Sit Next To You" was eventually re-recorded with Bon Scott under the title "]".

By January 1975, the Australia-only album '']'' had been recorded. It took only ten days,<ref name="timeline">{{cite web | url = http://www.acdcrocks.com/TIMELINE_index.html | title = Timeline | work = AC/DC official website | accessdate = 2006-12-16}}</ref> and was based on instrumental songs written by the Young brothers with lyrics added by Scott. Within a few months, the band's line-up had stabilised, featuring Scott, the Young brothers, bassist ] and drummer ]. Later that year they released the single "]", which became their perennial ].<ref name="acdclane">{{cite news | first = Martin | last = Boulton | title = Laneway to the top for AC/DC | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/09/1094530766163.html | work = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30 }}</ref> It was included on their second album, '']'', which was also released only in Australia and New Zealand. The album featured another classic song, "]".

{{Sound sample box align right|Audio samples:}}
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| title = "It's a Long Way to the Top" (1975)
| description = The second single of '']'' demonstrates a combination of ] with more traditional rock instruments while the lyrics discuss the perils of being in a rock band.}}
{{multi-listen item
| filename =ACDC Jailbreak.ogg
| title = "Jailbreak" (1976)
| description = "]", first released in ] on '']'', relates a man's attempts to escape from prison after receiving a 16-year sentence for murder.}}
{{multi-listen item
| filename = ACDC RiffRaff.ogg
| title = "Riff Raff" (1978)
| description = "]" displays long instrumental breaks and solos and "warp speed".<ref name="Bonfire" /> It is the first track on the first AC/DC ], ], and was first released in the same year on ].}}
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Between 1974 and 1977, aided by regular appearances on ]'s '']'', a nationally broadcast pop music television show, AC/DC became one of the most popular and successful acts in Australia. Their performance on ] ] was their last live TV appearance in over twenty years.<ref name="timeline" />

====International success (1976&ndash;1978)====
In 1976, the band signed an international deal with ], and toured extensively throughout the ] and ]. They gained invaluable experience of the stadium circuit, supporting leading hard rock acts such as ], ], ] and ], and they co-headlined with ].<ref name="timeline" />

The first AC/DC album to gain worldwide distribution was a 1976 compilation of tracks taken from the '']'' and '']'' LPs. Also titled '']'', and released on the Atlantic Records label, the album sold three million copies worldwide,<ref name="BiBBillboard">{{cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000947787 | title = ''Back In Black'' tips 21M mark | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | last = Jeckell | first = Barry A. | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref> partly due to its popularity with a British punk audience.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rmf5zfohehak | title = AC/DC - High Voltage | accessdate = 2007-01-31 | first = Steve | last = Huey | work = ] }}</ref> The track selection was heavily weighted towards the more recent ''T.N.T.'', and included only two songs from their first LP. The band's next album, '']'', was released in the same year in both ] and ] versions, like its predecessor. Track listings varied worldwide, and the international version of the album also featured "Rocker" from ''T.N.T.'' The original Australian version included their popular song "]" (now more readily available on the 1984 compilation EP '']'' or as a live version on the 1992 '']'' album). ''Dirty Deeds'' was not released in the U.S. until 1981, by which time the band were at the peak of their popularity.

Following the 1977 recording '']'', bassist Mark Evans was sacked due to personal differences with Angus Young. He was replaced by ], who also provided backing vocals alongside ]. Neither of the Young brothers has elaborated on the departure of Evans, though Richard Griffiths, the CEO of ] and a booking agent for AC/DC in the mid-1970s, later commented, "You knew Mark wasn't going to last, he was just too much of a nice guy."<ref name="cwalker" />

AC/DC were a formative influence on ] bands such as ] and ] who emerged in the late 1970s, in part as a reaction to the decline of traditional early 1970s heavy metal bands. In 2007, critics noted that AC/DC, along with ], ], ] and ], were among "the second generation of rising stars ready to step into the breach as the old guard waned."<ref>Elliott, Paul. ''"Never Mind the Bollocks"''. ] (February 2007)</ref>

====U.S. success (1977&ndash;1978)====
]'' (1979)]]AC/DC's first American exposure was through the ] radio station AM 600 WTAC in 1977. The station's manager, Peter C. Cavanaugh, booked the band to play at ]'s Capitol Theater. The supporting act was ], who had briefly reunited and agreed to play at the event. The band opened with their popular song "]" and closed with "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".<ref>{{cite web | title=Peter Cavanaugh | work=Wild Wednesday|url=http://wildwednesday.com/index.html | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref>

AC/DC came to be identified with the ] movement by the British press. Their reputation, however, managed to survive the punk upheavals of the late 1970s, and they maintained a ] in the UK throughout this time.<ref name="Bonfire" /> Angus Young gained notoriety for ] the audience during live performances.

The 1978 release of '']'' marked the debut of bassist Cliff Williams, and with its harder ], followed the blueprint set by ''Let There Be Rock''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a2d7gjtrj6ip | title = AC/DC - Powerage | work = ] | first = Greg | last = Prato | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> Only one single was released for ''Powerage'', "]" and gave AC/DC the highest mark at the time, reaching #24. An appearance at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow during the ''Powerage'' tour was recorded and released as '']'', featuring classic songs such as "]", "]", and "]", as well as lesser-known album tracks like "]". The album was the last produced by ] and George Young with Bon Scott on vocals (although Vanda and Young later produced '']'' with ]) and is claimed to be AC/DC's most underrated album.<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web | url = http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/a/acdc-reissues2.shtml | title = Epic Records AC/DC Re-issues: Second Wave | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Christopher, Michael | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref>

The band's sixth album, '']'', was produced by ] and released in 1979. It became the first AC/DC LP to break into the U.S. top 100, eventually reaching #17,<ref name="timeline" /> and it propelled AC/DC into the top ranks of hard rock acts.<ref name="Bonfire" /> ''Highway to Hell'' put increased emphasis on backing vocals but still featured AC/DC's signature sound: loud, simple, pounding riffs and grooving backbeats.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:exfm968o3ep3 | title = AC/DC - Highway to Hell | work = ] | first = Steve | last = Huey | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> The final track, "]", has two breaths in quick succession at the start of the song, intended to create a tone of fear and loathing.<ref name="Bonfire" />

====Bon Scott's death (1980)====
{{Sound sample box align right|Audio samples:}}
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| title = "Night Prowler" (1978)
| description = "]" contains all the new elements of '']''. The song finishes with Bon Scott saying the ]' famous catch phrase, "Shazbut Nanoo Nanoo", from the TV show ].<ref>{{cite web | title = "Night Prowler" by AC/DC | url = http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1179 | work = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30 }}</ref>}}
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On ] ], Bon Scott passed out after a night of routine partying in ], and was left in a car owned by an acquaintance of his named Alistair Kinnear. The following morning, Kinnear rushed him to ] Hospital in ], where Scott was pronounced dead on arrival. Although ] claims that ] of ] was the cause of Scott's death, the official cause was listed as "acute alcohol poisoning" and "death by misadventure".<ref name="BScottDeath">{{cite news | first = Richard | last = Jinman | title = 25 years on, AC/DC fans recall how wild rocker met his end | url = http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,11711,1418115,00.html | work = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30}}</ref> Scott's family buried him in ], the area to which they had emigrated when he was a child.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bon's Highway leads to the National Trust | date = ] |accessdate = 2006-12-15 | work=Metropolitan Cemeteries Board | url=http://www.mcb.wa.gov.au/MCBNews/mediaRel.html}}</ref>

Inconsistencies in the official accounts of Scott's death have been cited in ], which suggest that Scott died of a ] overdose, or was killed by exhaust fumes redirected into the car, or that Kinnear did not exist.<ref name="BScottDeath" /> Additionally, Scott was ],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/A/Acdc/1997/11/22/742716.html | title = AC/DC lights a Bonfire in tribute | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Stevenson, Jane | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref> and the temperature was below freezing on the morning of his death.

===Finding a new voice===
Following Scott's death, the band briefly considered quitting; they eventually concluded, however, that Scott would have wanted AC/DC to continue, and various candidates were considered for his replacement. Ex-] vocalist ] was approached, but he decided not to join an established band; instead, he assembled a successful solo career, which included co-writing the song "Rainbow's Gold". ], ex-] member, was not able to join due to vocal problems.<ref>{{cite web | title=Moxy | work=Canoe JAM! music | accessdate = 2006-09-22|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Pop_Encyclopedia/M/Moxy.html}}</ref> The remaining AC/DC members finally decided on ex-] singer ].

Angus Young later recalled, "I remember Bon playing me "]", and then telling me the story of when he saw Brian singing." He says about that night, "There's this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs and then the next thing you know he hits the deck. He's on the floor, rolling around and screaming. I thought it was great, and then to top it off—you couldn't get a better encore—they came in and wheeled the guy off!'"<ref>] interview, 16 November 2003. See the transcript and . Retrieved on ], ]</ref> Later that night, Johnson would be diagnosed with ], which was the cause of his writhing around on stage.<ref name="RS-HOF">{{cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/acdc/articles/story/5937459/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_2003_acdc | title = Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2003: AC/DC | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Crandall, Bill | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref>

For the audition, Johnson sang "]" from '']'', and ]'s "]".<ref name="acdc.cc">{{cite web | title=AC/DC History | work=AC/DC - Bedlam in Belgium | url=http://www.ac-dc.cc | accessdate = 2006-09-23}}</ref> He was hired a few days after the audition.

===Brian Johnson era (1980&ndash;2000)===
]'' (1980)]]
With Johnson, the band completed the songwriting that they had begun with Bon Scott for the album '']''. Recording took place at ] in the ] a few months after Scott's death. ''Back in Black'', also produced by Mutt Lange, became their biggest-selling album and a hard-rock landmark; hits include "]", "]", and the title track "]". The album was certified platinum a year after its release,<ref name="BiBBillboard" /> and by 2006 it had sold approximately 21 million copies in the United States.<ref name="riaa2" /> The album reached #1 in the ] and #4 in the U.S., where it spent 131 weeks in the top ten.<ref name="timeline" />

The follow-up album, 1981's '']'', also sold well and was positively received by critics. The album featured two of the band's most popular singles: "Let's Get It Up"<ref name=everyhit>{{cite web | title=EveryHit | url=http://www.everyhit.com | accessdate = 2006-09-22}}</ref> and the title track, "]", which reached #13 and #15, respectively, in the UK.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1183 | title = "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" by AC/DC | work = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-15}}</ref> The band split with Lange for their self-produced 1983 album, '']'', in an effort to recover the rawness and simplicity of their early albums.<ref name="flickof">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:tzaxqjkboj6a | title = AC/DC - Flick of the Switch | work = ] | first = Steve | last = Huey | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref>

====Departure of Rudd (1983)====
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Amid rumours of ] and drug-induced ], drummer ]'s friendship with Malcolm Young deteriorated and, after a long period of unfriendliness, the men's dislike for each other grew so strong that they fought. Rudd was fired two hours after the fight.<ref name="acdc.cc" /> Although Rudd had finished most of the drum tracks for their next album, he was replaced by ] after the band held an anonymous audition. With the new line-up, the band produced and released a less successful album, '']'', which was considered underdeveloped and unmemorable.<ref name="flickof" /> One critic stated that the band "had made the same album nine times".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/acdc/albums/album/174854/review/5945613/flick_of_the_switch | title = Flick of the Switch | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Fricke, David | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref> AC/DC was voted the eighth-biggest disappointment of the year in the 1984 '']'' readers' poll. However, ''Flick of the Switch'' eventually reached #4 on the UK charts,<ref name="acdc.cc" /> and AC/DC had minor success with the singles "]" and "]". '']'', produced by the Young brothers in 1985, was also regarded as uninspired and directionless.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:e2jp7iajg7dr | title = AC/DC - Fly on the Wall | work = ] | first = Steve | last = Huey | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> A music concept video of ] featured the band at a bar, playing five of the album's ten songs.

In 1986, the group returned to the charts with the made-for-radio "]". The album, '']'', was the soundtrack to ]'s film '']'', and is the closest the band has come to releasing a "]" collection.<ref name="popmatters" /> It brought together older hits, such as "]" and "]", with newer songs like "]", and two new instrumentals, "]" and "Chase the Ace".

In February 1988, AC/DC were inducted into the ]'s ].<ref>{{cite web | title=ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame | work=] | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/hall-of-fame.htm |accessdate = 2006-10-30}}</ref>

====Renewed popularity (1988&ndash;2000)====
AC/DC's 1988 album, '']'', was recorded at Miraval Studio in Le Val, ], and reunited the band with their original producers, ] and ]. The group recorded nineteen songs, and though the album was later criticised for containing excessive "]",<ref name="blowup">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:tye097b7kr5t | title = AC/DC - Blow Up your Video | work = ] | first = Greg | last = Prato | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> it was a commercial success. ''Blow up Your Video'' sold more copies than the previous two releases combined, and reached #2 on the UK charts—AC/DC's highest position since ''Back In Black'' in 1980. The album featured the UK top-twenty single "]",<ref name=everyhit /> and popular songs such as "That's The Way I Wanna Rock And Roll". The ''Blow Up Your Video'' World Tour began in February 1988, in ], Australia. That April, following live appearances across Europe, ] announced that he was taking time off from touring, principally to begin recovery from his alcoholism. Another member of the Young family, ], temporarily took Malcolm's place.

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{{sample box end}}

Following the tour, Wright left the group to work on the upcoming ] album, '']'', and was replaced by session veteran ]. Johnson was unavailable for several months while finalising his divorce,<ref name="acdc.cc" /> so the Young brothers wrote all the songs for the next album, a practice they have continued for all subsequent releases. The new album, '']'', was produced by ], who had previously worked with ] and ]. Released in 1990, it was a major comeback for the band, and included the hits "]" and "]", which reached #5 and #16 respectibly on ]'s ] Chart, and "]", which peaked at #23 on the ].<ref name=everyhit /> The album went ] and reached the U.S. top ten. Several shows on the Razors Edge tour were recorded as footage for the 1992 live album, entitled simply '']''. ''Live'' was produced by Fairbairn, and is considered one of the best live albums of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kcfixqw5ld0e | title = AC/DC - AC/DC Live | work = ] | first = Barry | last = Weber | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> A year later, AC/DC recorded "]" for the soundtrack of the ] movie '']'', and was released as a single, reaching #1 for the first time in the U.S.<ref name="timeline" />

In 1994, Angus and Malcolm invited Rudd to several ]s. He was eventually rehired to replace Slade, whose amicable departure arose in part due to the band's strong desire to work again with Rudd.

In 1995, with the 1980—83 line-up back together, the group released '']'', recorded at the ] in ], and produced by ]. The first single from the album was "]", which reached #1 on the U.S. charts. Two more singles were released from the album: "]" and "]".

A ] of five albums was released in 1997. It contained a ] version of ''Back in Black''; '']''; a disc with alternate takes, outtakes, and stray live cuts; and two live albums, '']'' and '']''. The first live album was recorded in 1978 at the Atlantic Studios in ]. The second was a ] recorded in 1979 at The Pavillon in ], and was the soundtrack of a motion picture, ]. The American version of the box set included a colour booklet, a two-sided poster, a sticker, a temporary tattoo, a keychain bottle opener, and a guitar pick.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.acdc-discography.com/CDBoxSets.html | title = Boxsets | accessdate = 2007-01-03 | work = AC/DC discography }}</ref>

Five years later, the band released their sixteenth studio album, '']'', produced by ]. The album was better received by critics than ''Ballbreaker'', but was considered lacking in new ideas.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/acdc/albums/album/198241/review/5941859/stiff_upper_lip | title = Stiff Upper Lip | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Wild, David | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ls90s35la3zg | title = AC/DC - Stiff Upper Lip | work = ] | first = Stephen Thomas | last = Erlewine | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> The Australian release included a bonus disc with three promotional videos and several live performances recorded in ] in 1996. ''Stiff Upper Lip'' reached #1 in five countries, including ] and ]; #2 in three countries, ], ] and ]; #3 in ]; #5 in ] and ]; and #7 in ], the U.S. and ]. The first single, "]", remained at #1 on the U.S. charts for four weeks.<ref name="timeline" /> The other singles released also did very well, "]" and "]" reached #31 and #7 in the U.S. respectibly.

===Recent events (2000-present)===
In 2002, AC/DC signed a long-term, multi-album deal with ],<ref>{{cite web | date = ] | title=AC/DC Sign big contract with Sony | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | work= ] |url=http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2002/12/0608.cfm}}</ref> who went on to release a series of ] albums as part of their ] series. Each release contained an expanded ], featuring rare photographs, memorabilia, and notes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:bx8m963o3epc~T2 | title = AC/DC - Discography | work = ] | first = Ed | last = Rivadavia | accessdate = 2007-01-31 }}</ref> In 2003, the entire back-catalogue (except '']'' and '']'') was remastered and re-released. ''Ballbreaker'' was eventually re-released in 2005; ''Stiff Upper Lip'' is due in 2010, though a remastered version is currently available in the UK.

]
In May 2003, Malcolm Young accepted a Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Service to Australian Music at the 2003 Music Winners Awards, during which he paid special tribute to Bon Scott.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/media_releases/03-music_award_winners_announced.asp | title = 2003 Music Winners Awards Announced | work = ] | accessdate = 2006-10-22}}</ref> In the same year, the ] upgraded the group's U.S. sales figures from 46.5 million to 63 million, making AC/DC the fifth-best-selling band in U.S. music history, behind only ], ], ], and the ].<ref name="riaa1" /> The RIAA also certified the '']'' album as double diamond (twenty million) in U.S. sales, making it the sixth-best-selling U.S. album of all time; by 2005 the album had sold 21 million copies, which moved it into fifth place.<ref name="riaa2" /> On ] the band performed with the ] and ] at ]. The concert, held before an audience of half a million, was intended to help the city overcome the effects of the 2003 ] ]. The concert holds the record for the largest paid ] in North American history.<ref>{{cite news | date = ] | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2003/07/30/concert_opener030730.html | title = Stones rock out at Toronto's 'biggest party' | work = ] | accessdate = 2006-10-23}}</ref>

On ] ], a central ] thoroughfare, Corporation Lane, was renamed in honour of the band. However, the ] forbade the use of the ] character in street names, so the four letters were combined.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=228&pg=715&st=191 | title = Next stage in AC/DC Lane proposal wins in-principle support | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | date = ] | work = ] }}</ref> The lane is near ] where, on the back of a truck, the band recorded their video for the 1975 hit "]".<ref name="acdclane" /> Additionally, a street in ], ] was named "Calle de AC/DC" on ] ].<ref name="acdclane" /><ref>{{cite news | first = Iván | last = Estarás | title = AC/DC trajo 'de calle' a centenares de fans | work = ] | date = ] | language = Spanish }}</ref>

The band came second in a list of Australia's highest-earning entertainers for 2005, after ], despite having neither toured nor released an album that year.<ref>{{cite news | first = Daniel | last = Ziffer | title = Wiggles wriggle back into top spot | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/wiggles-wriggle-back-into-top-spot/2006/04/12/1144521401699.html | work = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30 }}</ref>

====Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction====
] in the ].]]
AC/DC were inducted into the ] in March 2003. During the ceremony the band performed "]" and "]", with guest vocals provided by host ]. He described the band's ]s as "the thunder from down under that gives you the second-most-powerful surge that can flow through your body."<ref>{{cite news | title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame open doors |work= ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/11/rock.hall.fame.ap/index.html}}</ref>

During the acceptance speech, Brian Johnson quoted their 1977 song "Let There Be Rock":
{{cquote|"In the beginning, back in 1955, man didn't know about the rock 'n roll show and all that jive.<br>The white man had the schmaltz, the black man had the blues, but no one knew what they was gonna do but Tchaikovsky had the news, he said: 'let there be rock'".<br />
Bon Scott wrote that. And it's a real privilege to accept these awards tonight.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12027761 | title = AC/DC, The Clash, The Police And Others Inducted Into Hall Of Fame | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | last = Johnson| first = Billy | date = ] | work = ]}}</ref>}}

====New album====
As of January 2006, AC/DC are working on a new studio album. According to Malcolm Young, "the band is currently recording and writing material for the eagerly anticipated next album, but no release date has been set."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.marshallamps.com/images/mars_law_issue_pdfs/ml%2009.pdf | title = AC/DC | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Richardson, Joel | coauthors = Nick Bowcott | year = 2006 | month = May | pages = pp. 14-15 | format = PDF | work = Marshall Law }}</ref> In a 2004 interview, Brian Johnson revealed that, for the first time since the 1988 album ''Blow Up Your Video'', he will be handling lyrics. He also said that Angus Young has written harder ]s than those on '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eutk.net/news.asp?id=2476 | title = AC/DC, indiscrezioni sul nuovo album | language=Italian | accessdate = 2006-12-30 | author = Negonda, Marco | date = ] | work = EUTK }}</ref> In a 2005 interview, Johnson confirmed that the band do not know when the album will be recorded, or who will produce it. Malcolm Young said the new album has "gotta be perfect", and Johnson also mentioned the possibility of the next release being a double album.<ref>Brian Johnson interview by ] on "Friday Night Rocks", ], ]. See the transcript . Retrieved on ] ].</ref>
In December 2006, '']'' revealed that AC/DC have been asked to headline the 2007 ] in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news | first = Paul
| last = Martin | title = Highway to Slane | url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/northernireland/news/tm_method=full%26objectid=18223663%26siteid=94762-name_page.html | work = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-17 }}</ref>

==Band members==
{{See also|Past members of AC/DC}}
*] — ] (1973-present)
*] — ], ] (1973-present)
*] — ] (1980-present)
*] — ], ] (1977-present)
*] — ] (1975-1983, 1994-present)

==Discography==
{{main|AC/DC discography}}
{{See also|AC/DC remasters}}

<big>'''Studio albums'''</big>
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
|width="180pt" |'''Title'''
|width="100pt" |'''Release date'''
|width="60pt" |'''Label'''
|width="80pt" |'''U.S. sales'''<ref name="riaa2" />
|-
|'']'' (Aus.)
|February 1975
|]
|
|-
|'']'' (Aus.)
|December 1975
|Albert
|-
|'']''
|September 1976
|]
|3 million
|-
|'']'' (Aus.)
|September 1976
|Albert
|-
|'']''
|November 1976
|Atlantic
|6 million
|-
|'']'' (Aus.)
|March 1977
|Albert
|-
|'']''
|June 1977
|Atlantic
|2 million
|-
|'']''
|May 1978
|Atlantic
|1 million
|-
|'']''
|July 1979
|Atlantic
|7 million
|-
|'']''
|July 1980
|Atlantic
|21 million
|-
|'']''
|November 1981
|Atlantic
|4 million
|-
|'']''
|April 1983
|Atlantic
|1 million
|-
|'']''
|October 1984
|]
|1 million
|-
|'']''
|June 1985
|Atlantic
|1 million
|-
|'']''
|May 1986
|Atlantic
|5 million
|-
|'']''
|January 1988
|]
|2 million
|-
|'']''
|September 1990
|Atlantic
|5 million
|-
|'']''
|September 1995
|]
|2 million
|-
|'']''
|November 1997
|]
|
|-
|'']''
|February 2000
|]
|1 million
|-
|}

<big>'''Live albums'''</big>
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
|width="180pt" |'''Title'''
|width="100pt" |'''Release date'''
|width="60pt" |'''Label'''
|width="80pt" |'''Producer'''
|-
|'']''
|October 1978
|]
|] / ]
|-
|'']''
|October 1992
|Atlantic
|]
|-
|'']''
|October 1992
|Atlantic
|Bruce Fairbairn
|-
|'']''
|November 1997
|]
|George Young
|-
|'']''
|November 1997
|East West
|Tony Platt
|-
|}

<big>'''Videography'''</big>
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
|width="180pt" |'''Title'''
|width="100pt" |'''Release year'''
|width="149pt" |'''Label'''
|-
|'']''
|1980
|]
|-
|'']''
|1985
|]
|-
|'']''
|1986
|]
|-
|'']'' (Aus.)
|1989
|]
|-
|'']''
|1991
|] / Atlantic Video
|-
|'']''
|1991
|Atlantic Video
|-
|'']''
|1993
|Warner Home Video
|-
|'']''
|1996
|]
|-
|'']''
|2001
|]
|-
|'']'' (])
|2003
|]
|-
|'']''
|2004
|]
|-
|'']''
|2005
|]
|-
|}

==References==
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==External links==
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Revision as of 19:35, 9 February 2007

yo momma