When Bon Scott choked to death in February 1980, AC/DC had already conquered Europe but had yet to crack the United States. Rather than fold, the band recruited singer Brian Johnson on the recommendation of producer Robert Lange and channelled their grief into the most ferocious record of their career. The result was an album that silenced every doubter — bigger, louder, and more relentless than anything they had done before, opening with the ominous funeral toll of “Hells Bells” before detonating into one of rock’s greatest opening salvos.
“Back In Black” and “Have A Drink On Me” paid tribute to Scott, but elsewhere his absence was barely felt — Johnson’s raucous howl slotted seamlessly into the mix, while the Young brothers’ riff machine ran on pure, unstoppable momentum. “You Shook Me All Night Long” became an instant anthem, “Shoot To Thrill” hit like a freight train, and “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” served as a one-fingered salute to every critic who ever dismissed them. Back In Black finally broke America, notching a million sales annually for five straight years, and the band never looked back.
“I just want to go further…”
— Angus Young, 1984
AC/DC – Back In Black (1980)
| # | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Hells Bells | 5:09 |
| 02 | Shoot To Thrill | 5:14 |
| 03 | What Do You Do For Money Honey | 3:33 |
| 04 | Giving The Dog A Bone | 3:30 |
| 05 | Let Me Put My Love Into You | 4:12 |
| 06 | Back In Black | 4:13 |
| 07 | You Shook Me All Night Long | 3:28 |
| 08 | Have A Drink On Me | 3:57 |
| 09 | Shake A Leg | 4:03 |
| 10 | Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution | 4:12 |