MUSIC SCENE: AC/DC has announced its long-awaited stadium tour | Lifestyles

AC/DC announced their long-awaited stadium tour this week. The 13-date trip 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 stop in Buffalo on September 11th. This lineup featured Axl Rose as lead singer in place of Brian Johnson, who struggled with hearing problems and was unable to complete the tour.

The next closest show is May 28, 2025 in Cleveland. Adding dates makes Toronto more likely than Buffalo since 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 its home country of Australia, was followed by another Australian-only release, “TNT”, in the same year. The international version of “High Voltage”, released in 1976, contains songs from the first two records.

From 1976 to 1979 the band had moderate success, releasing four albums and reaching their commercial peak in 1979 with “Highway to Hell”.

Tragedy struck the band in February 1980 when lead singer Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning. The band was in the early stages of recording the follow-up to “Highway to Hell”. Shortly after Scott’s death, they held auditions for a new lead singer and ultimately chose Brian Johnson as Scott’s replacement.

This led to the band’s mega-selling album, Back in Black. It is the second best-selling album of all time, just behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Although the group never achieved the same commercial success, they quickly established themselves as one of the most successful live acts. Johnson’s Back in Black line-up remained constant until 2014, along with brothers Angus and Malcolm Young on guitar and Cliff Johnson on bass. Drummer Phil Rudd left the band in 1983 and returned in 1994.

The band has undergone significant changes since 2014. Malcolm Young left the band in 2014 and died in 2017. His nephew Stevie Young replaced him on rhythm guitar. Bassist Cliff Williams has retired from touring. Chris Chaney is the current bassist 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 to 1981, the next eight followed from 1982 to 2020.

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.” Although Johnson has been the lead singer for decades longer than Scott, the fan base still adores the Bon Scott-era catalog.

With only 13 dates, ticket prices are likely to be significantly above average. If they sell out quickly, it can be assumed that a few more dates will be announced.

Based on AC/DC’s recent touring history, this may be the last chance for fans in North America to see them. Brian Johnson is 77 and Angus Young turns 70 next year.

Thom Jennings writes about the regional music scene for the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal and the Niagara Gazette.