AC/DC announced their long-anticipated stadium tour this week. The 13-date trek does not include a stop in Buffalo or Toronto, at least not yet. The last time AC/DC toured North America was in 2016, including a Buffalo stop on Sept. 11. That lineup featured Axl Rose on lead vocals instead of Brian Johnson, who was dealing with hearing issues and couldn’t complete the tour.
The closest show takes place in Cleveland on May 28. If dates are added, Toronto is likelier than Buffalo, as AC/DC has a long history in Toronto.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the group’s debut album, “High Voltage.” The first version, released only in their native country, Australia, was followed the same year by another Australia-only release, “T.N.T.” The International version of “High Voltage,” released in 1976, contains songs from the first two records.
The band enjoyed moderate success from 1976 to 1979, releasing four albums and reaching its commercial peak in that era with “Highway to Hell” in 1979.
Tragedy struck the band in February of 1980 when lead vocalist Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning. The band was in the early stages of recording the follow-up to “Highway to Hell.” Soon after Scott’s death, they held auditions for a new lead singer, eventually choosing Brian Johnson as Scott’s replacement.
That led to the band’s mega-selling “Back in Black” album. It is the second highest-selling album of all time, only behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Even though the group never attained the same level of commercial success, it quickly solidified itself as one of the top-drawing live acts. The “Back in Black” lineup of Johnson, along with brothers Angus and Malcolm Young on guitar and Cliff Johnson on bass, remained constant until 2014. Drummer Phil Rudd left the band in 1983 and returned in 1994.
The band has undergone significant changes since 2014. Malcolm Young left in 2014 and passed away in 2017. His nephew, Stevie Young, replaced him on rhythm guitar. Bassist Cliff Williams has retired from touring. Chris Chaney is the current bass player, and Matt Laug is the group’s drummer.
Brian Johnson’s departure in 2016 was short-lived; he returned to the group in 2018 and appears on their 2020 release, “Power Up.” It was the group’s 18th studio album, and after releasing nine albums from 1975-1981, it from 1982 to 2020 to release the next eight.
On the European leg of the Power Up Tour, the group still performs nine songs from the Bon Scott era and five from “Back in Black.” Many of the Bon Scott era songs became FM radio staples after the success of “Back in Black,” so while Johnson has been the lead singer for decades longer than Scott, the fan base still reveres the Bon Scott era catalog.
With just 13 dates, ticket prices will likely be significantly higher than average. If they sell out quickly, it is safe to assume that a few more dates will be announced.
Based on AC/DC’s recent touring history, this may be the last chance fans in North America will have to see them. Brian Johnson is 77 years old, and Angus Young turns 70 next year.