Reminder: Angus Young Came Up with ‘Highway to Hell’ on the Toilet
Angus Young is a good reminder that sometimes good things come from even sitting on the toilet. (And yes, this throwback story did come about after the author was bored…
Angus Young is a good reminder that sometimes good things come from even sitting on the toilet. (And yes, this throwback story did come about after the author was bored on the toilet recently.)
Back in Feb. 2021, the AC/DC guitarist spoke with Zane Lowe and revealed a fun fact: He came up with the lyrics for "Highway to Hell" during a bathroom break while recording the album of the same title. After Angus walked brother Malcolm Young through the song's iconic opening riff and backbeat, Malcolm asked Angus if he had any lyrics. This is when Angus fatefully excused himself to use the bathroom to have a seat and a think.
" ... And I was just sitting on the throne more or less. And then I go, 'I think I've got it,'" recalled Angus.
The rest, as they say, is history.
AC/DC European Tour Dates
Earlier this month, AC/DC officially announced they were returning to the road for the first time since 2016. So far, AC/DC has unveiled a batch of European tour dates. The "Power Up" tour will kick off on May 17 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany and will wrap on August 17 in Dublin. Tickets are on sale now. Complete ticket details are available via ACDC.com. A full list of dates is below.
In a brief statement from the band, they confirmed the lineup for the tour. Brian Johnson will be on vocals and joined by Angus and Stevie Young on lead and rhythm guitar, respectively. Matt Laug, who played with the band at Power Trip in October 2023, will be on drums.
As for bass, AC/DC has recruited Chris Chaney "to carry the torch for Cliff [Williams]." Williams retired shortly after the 2016 tour, but he appeared on AC/DC's 2020 album Power Up. Williams also performed at Power Trip with the band.
5/17 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
5/21 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
5/25 - Reggio Emilia, Italy - RCF Arena
5/29 - Seville, Spain - La Cartuja Stadium
6/5 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Johan Cruyff Arena
6/9 - Munich, Germany - Olympic Stadium
6/12 - Munich, Germany - Olympic Stadium
6/16 - Dresden, German - Messe
6/23 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium
6/26 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium
6/29 - Zurich, Switzerland - Letzigrund Stadium
7/3 - London, England - Wembley Stadium
7/7 - London, England - Wembley Stadium
7/13 - Hockenheim, Germany - Ring
7/17 - Stuttgart, Germany - Wasen
7/21 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Old Airport
7/27 - Nuremberg, Germany - Zeppelinfeld
7/21 - Hannover, Germany - Messe
8/9 - Dessel, Belgium - Festivalpark Stenehei
8/13 - Paris, France - Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
8/17 - Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park
Bon Scott remains one of the most beloved and celebrated singers in rock history. Some might view this as a bold statement, but there is proof it's true.
On March 1, 2020, before the world quite literally shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, AC/DC fans came out en masse in Perth, Australia. Why? To honor the 40th anniversary of Bon Scott's untimely death with an epic festival that shut down a local highway.
Per Australia's ABC News, over 150,000 people came out for "Highway to Hell." This festival was along Canning Highway, one of Perth's busiest roads. This road was shut down and turned into one long concert stage. During this festival, eight different bands performed various AC/DC songs on trucks that drove down the 10-kilometer stretch of road.
In addition to the rolling concert, the festival also accomplished a new world record. The record was aptly for "Biggest Air Guitar Gathering" with 3,722 people taking part. People just don't gather in those kinds of numbers unless they really like someone.
As if that weren't enough, there was once talk of a Bon Scott hologram. Back in June 2021, Rolling Stone published a feature about classic rock holograms. The publication talked with Eyellusion Hologram Production CEO Jeff Pezzuti. He said, in part, "We were offered an AC/DC hologram of Bon Scott." The company ended up passing on the opportunity, though, saying, " ... You have to be careful what you do there."
Fronting AC/DC from 1974 until his untimely death in 1980, Scott's legacy lies in a small, but mighty collection of albums that are essential building blocks for the hard rock genre. Each one of them is essential listening. Picking a favorite is difficult. Even more difficult? Dissecting these albums down to their individual songs to create this list.
To honor Scott's life, memory and impact, here are his 25 best songs with AC/DC.
