Back In Black – It’s 30 Years Old Today!
On July 25, 1980, AC/DC released the Back In Black album. To celebrate its 30th birthday, here are 10 facts you might not be aware of.
- This is the biggest selling album by any Australian artist.
- It is the second biggest selling original album of all time. Only Thriller, by Michael Jackson tops it.
- Despite being the fifth biggest album ever in America, it peaked at a surprisingly low number four on the charts.
- Although it was apparently performed during warm up shows Belgium and Holland, prior to the Back In Black tour, Shake A Leg has never re-appeared in the band’s live set. This is because it’s in such a high register.
- The band shot videos for six songs on the album:
Hells Bells
Back In Black
What Do You Do For Money Honey
You Shook Me All Night Long
Let Me Put My Love Into You
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
6. In 1985, the infamous Parents Music resource Center (PMRC) published a list of the 15 filthiest songs. Let Me Put My Love Into You made it in at number six. This was supposed to warn people against letting children hear such ‘filth’. Get the feeling the opposite happened? For the record, Prince’s Darling Nikki was number one.
7. Among those to cover You Shook Me All Night Long are Celine Dion, Six Feet Under and Aussie parody singer Richard Cheese.
8. The biggest UK single from the album was Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, which got to number 15.
9. Malcolm Young actually came up with the riff for the song Back In Black years before it became a song. He used to play it as a warm up.
10. Over the decades, there have been a lot of rumours about Bon Scott’s alleged involvement with the album. These include reports that demoed some of the tracks with the band and that he wrote some of the lyrics.
OK, that’s it. Wee suggest you now play the great album at annoyingly massive volume. Oh, and if you’ve got any further facts or opinions, put them in the Comment box below.
Find out more at www.acdc.com
With over 40 million sales world wide, that means there will always be someone in the world playing it every minute of the day.
R.I.P. Bon Scott. we miss ya brother
Deservedly considered one of the greatest albums ever! Still packs a mean punch. Excellent 1000mph belter of a record.
The bell recorded for the start of Hells Bells hangs in the Carillon Tower in Loughborough, Leics. It was recorded using 24 microphones, fact fans.
This album still sounds sooooooo good even after thousands of listens it never gets boring.AC/DC are the most loved rockers ever and in Brian Johnson they found THE perfect singer and all round top guy.
Jonna claims to have had writer’s block while writing “Hells Bells”, only to be cured by a visit from the spirit of Bon while recording in the Bahamas.
30 years ago today eh? I may be old, but I’ll never be to old to Rock N Roll.
Long Live AC/DC this album is twice as old as me!!!
Fantastic album.
Such a shame that Bon was not around to reap the rewards.
Amazing album from an amazing band.AC/DC are the masters of what they do and thank god they are still around to Rock us all.
So then…..does anyone actually know the extent of Bon’s involvement on Back in Black? Did he write some of the songs? Have the young bros ever commented on it?
i listen to something by ac/dc every week and its all good, bon scott will always be missed, even 30.5 years after he died. glad i saw them at wembley last year.
seen them live 4 times, last at wembley stadium last year they always give 110% .
As far as hells bells go,
Brian came up with the lyrics when it’s was raining outside with thunder, which he calls Rollin’ thunder..
Said in a intervieuw.
great album great band