“IGNITION, AC/DC!” LA Dodger Stadium Rock Or Bust World Tour

Michael Hepworth

Dodger Stadium@Los Angeles, CA

“IGNITION, AC/DC!” We Salute You

By Michael Cohan

Los Angeles(Perfect Music Today)10/1/15/–Whether you had great seats or all the way in the upperdeck on Monday night, the final stop for the North American leg of AC/DC’s world tour, their high intensity lighting will find anyone anywhere in Dodger Stadium! Waking up and blasting the crowd with yellow, white, and purple beams of light seemed to be the norm for the night while the group ripped through two hours and 20 songs of pure raw rock and roll energy. Every track was delivered like a rock anthem and that’s the only way the band knows how to write and play their version of the heavy metal blues.

The current lineup comprises lead guitarist and chop stepper (don’t call it duck walking like Chuck Berry) and only original member left Angus Young, replacement for retired Uncle Malcolm (due to dementia) nephew Stevie Young as rhythm guitarist, quick handed Chris Slade taking over the drum duties from troubled Phil Rudd, bass guitar thumperer Cliff Williams, and lead growler vocalist with the scratchy throat Brian Johnson. He took over singing duties when Bon Scott passed away due to a heavy night of drinking. So the band marched on and that’s just what Bon would’ve wanted.

Rumor is this Rock or Bust tour can be it for AC/DC but it just didn’t come across that way. The band released its tour named album last year so they feel that their just promoting it. What a great attitude these guys have and it showed that they definitely have the rock and roll personality of what legends are made of. In March of 2003 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In fact, AC/DC is the fifth best-selling band in US history according to the Recording Industry Association of America and the 10^th best-selling artist in history surpassing the likes of Madonna and Mariah Carey. The RIAA certified the 1980 “Back in Black” album double diamond (20 million) in US sales and by 2007 it had sold 22 million copies making it the fifth-best selling album of all time in the US. It is currently the second-best selling album worldwide just behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

The performance was stellar as both Brian and Angus strutted and pranced around the massive stage reaching out to the sold out crowd everywhere igniting a frenzy. Opening with the title track from 2014, Rock or Bust laid the foundation for what was yet to come. They performed under a big oval with their signature devil horns painted above on top. Actually, the band has been selling headbands for years   with flickering red devil horns attached and they are a staple for many rabid fans to wear at their concerts.

By the time the fourth song came the band was warmed up and the sound better. The title track to their record breaking album “Back in Black” from 1980 crunched crisply through the gargantuan Marshall amps placed on both sides of Chris Slade’s drum kit. The album also garnered the hugely successful track “Hells Bells” in which Johnson used to jump on the lowered huge swaying AC/DC bell which is always hanging directly over them. “You Shook Me All Night long” and the aptly titled “Have a Drink on Me”   provided more heavy boogieing!

Then busting out another title track “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” from 1976 showcased their classic raw and powerful sound. Johnson would incite the fans chanting “Dirty Deeds!” and the fans gave back, “Done Dirt Cheap!” It’s only proper rock and roll etiquette at an AC/DC concert.

Live music is usually beefed up songs from the record. Not with this band, whose live sound is just like their studio versions, right down to singer Brian Johnson’s tossed-off howls and grunts. Then the cool nighttime sky cackled with lightning and then “Thunderstruck” the lead single from “The Razor’s Edge” album from 1990. The sound is superb – sharp, exact and free from any flaws.

Then another title track, from the debut 1975 album “High Voltage” rocketed and soared throughout the stadium igniting the fans once again! The song found Brian struttin’ around the vast stage taunting the fans to sing with him! “It’s gonna be High!,” “It’s gonna be High! Voltage rock and roll!” So he sings “High” we sing “Voltage rock and roll!” He finishes with “it’s all rock and roll!”

The last song of the main set was another classic “Let there be Rock” from the album of the same name recorded in 1977. The 18 minute version of this has one of the best Angus Young solos of all time. He is the master guitar shredder even with his small hands fingering the guitar neck leads and the on-the-ground kicking and spinning act.

The two predetermined encore songs were none other than more title tracks to “Highway to Hell” from 1979 and “For Those about to Rock” from 1981. The Highway to Hell album solidified and polished their classic sound for good. For those about to Rock brought out the cannons ready for firing and the fireworks ending the night left the fans satisfied but was it their final salute?

In their 40 year career AC/DC have never tested their fans with any other type of music or concept album, they have stuck with what works and what they know how to do best. The band has always filled their sets with their unique crowd pleasers combining the familiar and the predictable and because of this strategy have become one of the most reliable rock bands in the world.