Forty years ago AC/DC released Back In Black, their first album since lead singer Bon Scott tragically passed away. It was unknown how well his replacement, Brian Johnson, would fill the position. When the album was released, the issue was settled. It was AC/DC’s biggest album yet. The year was 1980. I was eleven.
Back In Black of course went on to become the second best selling recording of all time. (The first best selling being Michael Jackson’s Thriller, released just the following year.)
About a year later they released For Those About To Rock. I went to see them live at the LA Sports Arena on the supporting tour for that album. I was only allowed to go because I was with my brother and his friends, all of whom were two years older than me. It was February 23rd, 1982. They made me smuggle in a joint. I slid it down into my sock. It was the first live rock band I had ever seen.
It was transformational. I had never heard, never seen, never experienced anything like it. I was stunned. I was thrilled. I was humbled. Brian Johnson was (and is) an absolutely vicious singer and tireless performer. Lead guitarist Angus Young was of course dressed in his schoolboy uniform although why he was dressed that way was a mystery to me. I supposed that when you could rock that hard you could do whatever the fuck you wanted and it would automatically be cool.
They eventually performed the album’s title track, For Those About To Rock (We Salute You). I wasn’t really prepared for the live cannons preceding each “WE SALUTE YOU!” Was anyone? Judging by the audience reaction, they weren’t. The show was a triumph, a knockout, a wonder.
Later on as a musician their music became less interesting to me. But those songs still make me smile and reach for the volume knob.
About a week ago I was feeling a little bored and found myself wishing I had a guitar or bass to work on. But all the ones I have in the apartment have been tweaked within an inch of their lives by now. I needed something new. A project guitar. Something I could play with, customize, as a hobby. So I looked around for inexpensive electric guitars.
It’s actually pretty surprising how much instrument you can get for $250-$300. But when I saw the Epiphone SG in “vintage worn” cherry I was intrigued. When I saw the $150 price tag I was hooked. Even this inexpensive knock off is very reminiscent of the one Angus Young played back in the 80s.
I got it the other day and I finally had an opportunity to mess with it last night and this afternoon. It played like garbage. But I was soon able to wrangle the neck relief and string height into adjustment. Now it plays great. No sharp fret ends, either. Can’t keep the darned thing in tune, though. I’m hoping a little lubricant at the nut and the saddles will help. Otherwise I’m looking at filing the nut slots or maybe even new machine heads. Should be a fun project! Take a piece of junk and make it play like the legend you remember.