acdc.com has a new topic under Come and Get It: fan reviews, pictures, expressions of devotion to AC/DC. I feel somewhat vindicated for my "whining" about non-inclusion in the AC/DC Fannation videos. My two cents:
Although I'd heard and enjoyed AC/DC songs since forever, I only got the chance to see them in concert on December 14, 2008. What an experience--unbelievable! After the concert, we went to a taqueria for late dinner--it's what people do in Texas--and of the 15 or so tables with diners, 12 had on their AC/DC concert tee shirts. Just an aside, almost everybody in the place was Chicano, me included. So much for the stereotype that all AC/DC fans are white. Everybody was sharing their concert excitement; strangers in most everything except how we felt about AC/DC.
So, I've gone on an intense "learn all about AC/DC" journey and have tickets to see them in Paris and Amsterdam in June. Have always loved Paris and I can't think of a cooler way to enjoy it this time than seeing the guys in concert. And of course, everybody likes Amsterdam--the show should be fabulous! I've followed the European tour via the web stories; it's really added to my excitement about my upcoming trip. Will definitely send in pictures/reviews in June! Fingers SO crossed that I'll be lucky enough to actually run into one or more of the band!
And, thanks to acdc.com for giving the fans a chance to express their feelings about AC/DC, the greatest rock band on earth!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Response to London Financial Times Review
I read a really negative review of the London shows--what's wrong with people?--and here's a letter that a fan wrote in response to the review in the London Financial Times:
Thunderstruck by rock's schoolboys
Published: April 21 2009 03:00 Last updated: April 21 2009 03:00
From Mr Anthony Kennaway.
Sir, Far be it from me to counter an arts correspondent but I was gravely disappointed by Ludovic Hunter-Tilney's review of the AC/DC concert at the O2 ("Heavy metal's eternal schoolboys", April 17). I was lucky enough to get a brace of tickets in the few hours before the whole concert was sold out. (They have then added another date at Wembley which sold out in a similar fashion) and could not see things more differently.On the night, Brian Johnson's phrase, "We've got some old songs and some new songs for you" was some of the best news I've heard this year and what followed was a rip-snorting two hours (non stop - take note Minogue, U2 et al) of barn storming guitar, great lyrics and 30,000 (or perhaps 29,999!) people reliving their youth. Johnson's voice can no longer hit all the notes that it once could but we are all older. I went with a lieutenant-colonel and met my European chief operating officer there. Yet none of us could resist reaching for the air-guitar during the foot stomping classics and as the lyrics all came flooding back.Mr Hunter-Tilney is misguided if he expected anything less than "priapic lyrics", manga cartoons of trains out of control and a 50-foot busty Rosie - it's what the rest of us were baying for. He's also missing out if he did not appreciate the "demented glissandi and convulsive arpeggios" - I bet Angus Young's solo blew Jimmy Page's socks off. [Jimmy Page was spotted at the concert.] No, AC/DC put on a great, great show. A blast from the past maybe. But even from where I sat, the rearmost seat of the top tier - they rocked the house, and more.
Anthony Kennaway, Acton, London
Anthony Kennaway got it so right! Great to see that the fans don't leave these things unanswered.
Thunderstruck by rock's schoolboys
Published: April 21 2009 03:00 Last updated: April 21 2009 03:00
From Mr Anthony Kennaway.
Sir, Far be it from me to counter an arts correspondent but I was gravely disappointed by Ludovic Hunter-Tilney's review of the AC/DC concert at the O2 ("Heavy metal's eternal schoolboys", April 17). I was lucky enough to get a brace of tickets in the few hours before the whole concert was sold out. (They have then added another date at Wembley which sold out in a similar fashion) and could not see things more differently.On the night, Brian Johnson's phrase, "We've got some old songs and some new songs for you" was some of the best news I've heard this year and what followed was a rip-snorting two hours (non stop - take note Minogue, U2 et al) of barn storming guitar, great lyrics and 30,000 (or perhaps 29,999!) people reliving their youth. Johnson's voice can no longer hit all the notes that it once could but we are all older. I went with a lieutenant-colonel and met my European chief operating officer there. Yet none of us could resist reaching for the air-guitar during the foot stomping classics and as the lyrics all came flooding back.Mr Hunter-Tilney is misguided if he expected anything less than "priapic lyrics", manga cartoons of trains out of control and a 50-foot busty Rosie - it's what the rest of us were baying for. He's also missing out if he did not appreciate the "demented glissandi and convulsive arpeggios" - I bet Angus Young's solo blew Jimmy Page's socks off. [Jimmy Page was spotted at the concert.] No, AC/DC put on a great, great show. A blast from the past maybe. But even from where I sat, the rearmost seat of the top tier - they rocked the house, and more.
Anthony Kennaway, Acton, London
Anthony Kennaway got it so right! Great to see that the fans don't leave these things unanswered.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
AC/DC Fannation
You could go to Youtube and watch a series, four so far, with a total of seven scheduled, that chronicles the path of some of the die-hard fans on their way to a secret AC/DC concert that kicked off the Black Ice Tour in November. The first four episodes have ranged from fair to very good and it's really, truly cool that there was a secret show for some lucky fans--via acdc.com, fans were able to get tickets--but it's getting to the point that the episodes just make me feel bad that I didn't know of the existence of acdc.com before January, so how could I have a chance to attend. Sure, there's an element of sour grapes in this comment since I wasn't at the show, but it feels like my nose is being rubbed--really hard, too--in the sniveling disappointment that I wasn't there. Don't slam me unmercifully, please, if you did go to the secret show--I'm very happy that you had that fabulously unbelievable great fortune to go. And, I guess I don't have to watch the episodes if it bothers me that much.
One of the online reviews said of the series/fans depicted: Judging any group based on a small sample size feels unfair, but some conclusions can be drawn about the stereotypical AC/DC fan based on those chosen to participate — think bandannas as headgear, experimental facial hair or extreme cleavage, and white skin.
Sure, I live in Texas, but own no bandanas, have no experimental facial hair--unless issues with eyebrows count, don't have extreme cleavage, but do have brown skin, so I just want whoever is producing these films (you know who you are, Hisham Abed) to know that there are fans who were't at the secret show, they don't all fit into a stereotype and they may have something interesting to say about their devotion to/obsession with/love for AC/DC.
One of the online reviews said of the series/fans depicted: Judging any group based on a small sample size feels unfair, but some conclusions can be drawn about the stereotypical AC/DC fan based on those chosen to participate — think bandannas as headgear, experimental facial hair or extreme cleavage, and white skin.
Sure, I live in Texas, but own no bandanas, have no experimental facial hair--unless issues with eyebrows count, don't have extreme cleavage, but do have brown skin, so I just want whoever is producing these films (you know who you are, Hisham Abed) to know that there are fans who were't at the secret show, they don't all fit into a stereotype and they may have something interesting to say about their devotion to/obsession with/love for AC/DC.
Friday, April 17, 2009
London, April 14, 2009
Saw a damn with faint praise review of the April 14 concert on the web:
AC/DC’s Hard Rock Rises Above Striptease, Blow-Up Rosie: Review
April 16 (Bloomberg) -- AC/DC is dragging some seriously silly stage props around the world for its latest tour, all straight from the center of a male teenage mind. A demonic, fireball-spewing runaway steam train; cannons; and a fat, inflated comic-book whore -- who puffs up and wobbles during “Whole Lotta Rosie” -- are all present and politically incorrect during the show in London, which continues again tonight at the O2 arena.
Guitarist Angus Young, 54, still sports the school uniform adopted as his trademark stage wear in the early 1970s. He sheds his blazer, shirt and shorts in an onstage striptease, generating plenty of screams from the female contingent of the audience. Most of the 20,000-strong crowd are not there to see Young just in his boxers, with the band’s logo emblazoned across his buttocks. However amusing, such antics are distractions from the real business of hard rock ‘n’ roll, the sort of thing that has shifted more than 200 million albums by the Australian band.
AC/DC fires out 19 classics over the two-hour set, drawing from all phases of its 36-year career. Its rock easily eclipses the stage show. It is a safe bet that the Black Ice tour will continue this way as the band visits Europe and North America.
Each song has a base of cast-iron blues and dirty grind delivered by a tight rhythm section and a stack of Marshall amplifiers. Young chops out riffs as basic as breeze blocks and squeals through the musically superfluous notes of the obligatory virtuosic solos.
Ludicrous Lyrics
Lyrical concerns swagger between the ludicrous and the inappropriately unreconstructed. Robert Johnson reputedly sold his soul for his blues prowess. AC/DC’s vocalist Brian Johnson uses his holler, during the filthy blues of “The Jack,” to ponder sexual disease, pausing only for images of female audience members to be displayed on the giant stage screens.
AC/DC excel at being AC/DC, delivering uncomplicated hard rock. Only the plodding title track from 2008’s “Black Ice” album causes a surge toward the bars.
Innovation would be betrayal: AC/DC is a living part of rock history. As such, AC/DC is tremendous fun and deserves to be seen, and enjoyed, in concert by all music fans. Once will probably be enough though. Rating: ***.
Some people, really! So, I had to email him with my reaction:
Dear Mr. Heller,
While you got a few things right, clearly you are not a real AC/DC fan, as demonstrated by the last line of your review: "[Seeing AC/DC] once will probably be enough." And Angus Young's guitar playing easily rates a significantly higher ranking than the dismissive "chops out riffs as basic as breeze blocks and squeals through the musically superfluos notes of the obligatory virtuosic solos." Angus does some incredible, wonderful, fabulously evocative things with that Gibson SG and remember, it's a rock, guitar band; by definition, guitar solos cannot be superfluous.
AC/DC has never been defensive about their music, including the lyrics, however much you may consider them inappropriately unreconstructed. Their swagger--and humor-- is fully intended, basic elements in classic rock n roll. The distaste you convey makes one wonder if you keep your pinky delicately curled as you drink your tea.
However, as you very correctly state: "AC/DC excel at being AC/DC, delivering uncomplicated hard rock." A bit harsh to say "Innovation would be betrayal" since as you point out, their record sales have not suffered and truly, "AC/DC is a living part of rock history. " Overall, your review **. Advice: lighten up, dude, go to at least one more AC/DC concert and let yourself unreconstructedly enjoy it.
Why do they send negative people to review concerts? Or is he just old? The rock n roll power of the music he got, but how did he miss the infectious exuberance AC/DC displays and engenders? The whole fun feel, the self-mocking attitude of the performances?
AC/DC’s Hard Rock Rises Above Striptease, Blow-Up Rosie: Review
April 16 (Bloomberg) -- AC/DC is dragging some seriously silly stage props around the world for its latest tour, all straight from the center of a male teenage mind. A demonic, fireball-spewing runaway steam train; cannons; and a fat, inflated comic-book whore -- who puffs up and wobbles during “Whole Lotta Rosie” -- are all present and politically incorrect during the show in London, which continues again tonight at the O2 arena.
Guitarist Angus Young, 54, still sports the school uniform adopted as his trademark stage wear in the early 1970s. He sheds his blazer, shirt and shorts in an onstage striptease, generating plenty of screams from the female contingent of the audience. Most of the 20,000-strong crowd are not there to see Young just in his boxers, with the band’s logo emblazoned across his buttocks. However amusing, such antics are distractions from the real business of hard rock ‘n’ roll, the sort of thing that has shifted more than 200 million albums by the Australian band.
AC/DC fires out 19 classics over the two-hour set, drawing from all phases of its 36-year career. Its rock easily eclipses the stage show. It is a safe bet that the Black Ice tour will continue this way as the band visits Europe and North America.
Each song has a base of cast-iron blues and dirty grind delivered by a tight rhythm section and a stack of Marshall amplifiers. Young chops out riffs as basic as breeze blocks and squeals through the musically superfluous notes of the obligatory virtuosic solos.
Ludicrous Lyrics
Lyrical concerns swagger between the ludicrous and the inappropriately unreconstructed. Robert Johnson reputedly sold his soul for his blues prowess. AC/DC’s vocalist Brian Johnson uses his holler, during the filthy blues of “The Jack,” to ponder sexual disease, pausing only for images of female audience members to be displayed on the giant stage screens.
AC/DC excel at being AC/DC, delivering uncomplicated hard rock. Only the plodding title track from 2008’s “Black Ice” album causes a surge toward the bars.
Innovation would be betrayal: AC/DC is a living part of rock history. As such, AC/DC is tremendous fun and deserves to be seen, and enjoyed, in concert by all music fans. Once will probably be enough though. Rating: ***.
Some people, really! So, I had to email him with my reaction:
Dear Mr. Heller,
While you got a few things right, clearly you are not a real AC/DC fan, as demonstrated by the last line of your review: "[Seeing AC/DC] once will probably be enough." And Angus Young's guitar playing easily rates a significantly higher ranking than the dismissive "chops out riffs as basic as breeze blocks and squeals through the musically superfluos notes of the obligatory virtuosic solos." Angus does some incredible, wonderful, fabulously evocative things with that Gibson SG and remember, it's a rock, guitar band; by definition, guitar solos cannot be superfluous.
AC/DC has never been defensive about their music, including the lyrics, however much you may consider them inappropriately unreconstructed. Their swagger--and humor-- is fully intended, basic elements in classic rock n roll. The distaste you convey makes one wonder if you keep your pinky delicately curled as you drink your tea.
However, as you very correctly state: "AC/DC excel at being AC/DC, delivering uncomplicated hard rock." A bit harsh to say "Innovation would be betrayal" since as you point out, their record sales have not suffered and truly, "AC/DC is a living part of rock history. " Overall, your review **. Advice: lighten up, dude, go to at least one more AC/DC concert and let yourself unreconstructedly enjoy it.
Why do they send negative people to review concerts? Or is he just old? The rock n roll power of the music he got, but how did he miss the infectious exuberance AC/DC displays and engenders? The whole fun feel, the self-mocking attitude of the performances?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
AC/DC in London, April 14, 2009
Check out AC/DC Abruzzo's Angus-cam work during Thunderstruck. http://acdc-abruzzo.blogspot.com/2009/04/acdc-thunderstruck-in-london-angus-cam.html
Such lucky guys, Abruzzo are.
Such lucky guys, Abruzzo are.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
PARIS, PARIS, PARIS on June 12, 2009
The reality of the dream is evolving: I have my Stade de France tickets!!!! (really long, incredible Bon Scott scream here) The tickets are beautiful--those French, always prducing stylish and eye-catching items.
Just came back from a short vacation in Washington, D.C. and visiting Sarah. A very lovely city, soooo many notable sights. The cherry blossoms were out and the weather was mostly mild. Spring is always such a surprize to a Texan. The National Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection were superb. The Smithsonian museums were great, too, the whole experience was exhausitng, though. Sarah looks great and was full of positive energy. She is definitely Bibi's favorite person on earth. We had fun visiting the different sights--Lincoln Memorial is awe-inspiring, as is the VietNam Memorial--eating at the cool restaurants Sarah knows. Got a chance to smash cascarones on each others' heads, too!
Lots of drama for me about the summer US tour. Hope to have the fortitude to hold on to my plan NOT to buy AC/DC tour tickets until a Texas venue is announced. Otherwise, really counting on the guys making a concert stop in Mexico City.
Very glad to see that AC/DC Abruzzo is back on the tour trail. Rock on, guys, in London!
Since my time in DC was so packed with activities, I felt that the AC/DC presence and energy was at a low level on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. On the few occassions I was able to listen to the IPOD, it was like entering a different plane. I know, I know--sounding disturbingly new age, but really, my perspective and some of my best memories of walking around Washington DC will always be tinged with the sounds of Thunderstruck, If You Want Blood, and of course, Live Wire.
It was great spending time with Sarita and getting her advice on the upcoming trip! but, SO looking forward to June!
Just came back from a short vacation in Washington, D.C. and visiting Sarah. A very lovely city, soooo many notable sights. The cherry blossoms were out and the weather was mostly mild. Spring is always such a surprize to a Texan. The National Gallery of Art and the Phillips Collection were superb. The Smithsonian museums were great, too, the whole experience was exhausitng, though. Sarah looks great and was full of positive energy. She is definitely Bibi's favorite person on earth. We had fun visiting the different sights--Lincoln Memorial is awe-inspiring, as is the VietNam Memorial--eating at the cool restaurants Sarah knows. Got a chance to smash cascarones on each others' heads, too!
Lots of drama for me about the summer US tour. Hope to have the fortitude to hold on to my plan NOT to buy AC/DC tour tickets until a Texas venue is announced. Otherwise, really counting on the guys making a concert stop in Mexico City.
Very glad to see that AC/DC Abruzzo is back on the tour trail. Rock on, guys, in London!
Since my time in DC was so packed with activities, I felt that the AC/DC presence and energy was at a low level on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. On the few occassions I was able to listen to the IPOD, it was like entering a different plane. I know, I know--sounding disturbingly new age, but really, my perspective and some of my best memories of walking around Washington DC will always be tinged with the sounds of Thunderstruck, If You Want Blood, and of course, Live Wire.
It was great spending time with Sarita and getting her advice on the upcoming trip! but, SO looking forward to June!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Top 5 Lead Singer Replacements
411 Music published "Top 5 Best Lead Singer Replacements". Not surprizingly, Brian is there. Here they are including the ranking that the critics gave. I say most of the rankings are too low within the top 5, but whatever. My own input, although I love Bon, listen to each guy's version of Ride On. Excellent tone, mood for both, but different.
5. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Bon Scott: If it weren't for Johnson's addition to the band, they would've never become the monsters they now are. Just imagine a world without Back in Black! It's true that Scott's voice had a bluesy tone that topped Johnson's screech, but after Scott's death the band needed a guy who could sing the songs as well as get along with the band, and after almost 30 years of being together, one can only thank Johnson for getting along and singing his heart out night after night."
1. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replacing Bon Scott: Bon Scott was awesome and when he died AC/DC should have died with him. Instead the band found Brian Johnson and found more raw power. They found more commercial success as the first album with Johnson, Back in Black, is one of greatest selling rock albums ever. I am not saying Johnson is better than Scott, I'm saying he improved album sales.
5. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Dave Evans and Bon Scott: No disrespect to Dave Evans or the late Bon Scott, but Brian Johnson has been the voice of AC/DC so long, I can't imagine any other vocalist at this point. When Bon Scott died in the same way as Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, instead of breaking up like Zeppelin, AC/DC enlisted the help of Johnson and made Back in Black –the second greatest selling album of all-time. Good choice. Nearly thirty years later, with a new album and a successful tour under the radar, they still have plenty of rock left to burn.
4. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Bonn Scott: Let me begin by saying that I like Bonn Scott as a vocalist a bit more than Brian Johnson. It's VERY close, but Bonn wins by a dirty ball. Why is this one of the best vocal switches, though? If it were not for the fact that AC/DC went from a final Bon Scott album, Highway to Hell, to Brian's debut on Back in Black, I might not so readily proclaim this switch job as one of the best. But look at the two albums… I don't think many can argue that these aren't two of AC/DC's all-time best releases. Talk about an incredible recuperation after the huge setback of your lead vocalist dying. There're certainly strong similarities between the two singing styles. Yet you never got the sense that Brian was trying to copy Bon Scott. He came in with his own thing that simply fit like a glove. There's no denying that the first two releases with Brian as the new lead singer of AC/DC were quite strong. Some of the 80's releases that followed got a bit stale, but I'd mark that more as band stagnation as opposed to being the fault of Brian. We're talking AC/DC here… the formula won't change that much.
I will say, though, that with the band's later releases, not only were there longer intervals between those releases (perhaps indicating more craftsmanship going into them), but the sound got much more interesting. Brian at times would settle into some slower, bluesy numbers that were excellent. I'd rank "Boogeyman" up there with "Night Prowler." Or for energy, I'd match "T ‘N' T" with "Thunderstruck" in a heartbeat. And if you hate AC/DC, as some do, then all of that probably bored the hell out of you.
5. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Bon Scott: If it weren't for Johnson's addition to the band, they would've never become the monsters they now are. Just imagine a world without Back in Black! It's true that Scott's voice had a bluesy tone that topped Johnson's screech, but after Scott's death the band needed a guy who could sing the songs as well as get along with the band, and after almost 30 years of being together, one can only thank Johnson for getting along and singing his heart out night after night."
1. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replacing Bon Scott: Bon Scott was awesome and when he died AC/DC should have died with him. Instead the band found Brian Johnson and found more raw power. They found more commercial success as the first album with Johnson, Back in Black, is one of greatest selling rock albums ever. I am not saying Johnson is better than Scott, I'm saying he improved album sales.
5. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Dave Evans and Bon Scott: No disrespect to Dave Evans or the late Bon Scott, but Brian Johnson has been the voice of AC/DC so long, I can't imagine any other vocalist at this point. When Bon Scott died in the same way as Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, instead of breaking up like Zeppelin, AC/DC enlisted the help of Johnson and made Back in Black –the second greatest selling album of all-time. Good choice. Nearly thirty years later, with a new album and a successful tour under the radar, they still have plenty of rock left to burn.
4. AC/DC's Brian Johnson replaces Bonn Scott: Let me begin by saying that I like Bonn Scott as a vocalist a bit more than Brian Johnson. It's VERY close, but Bonn wins by a dirty ball. Why is this one of the best vocal switches, though? If it were not for the fact that AC/DC went from a final Bon Scott album, Highway to Hell, to Brian's debut on Back in Black, I might not so readily proclaim this switch job as one of the best. But look at the two albums… I don't think many can argue that these aren't two of AC/DC's all-time best releases. Talk about an incredible recuperation after the huge setback of your lead vocalist dying. There're certainly strong similarities between the two singing styles. Yet you never got the sense that Brian was trying to copy Bon Scott. He came in with his own thing that simply fit like a glove. There's no denying that the first two releases with Brian as the new lead singer of AC/DC were quite strong. Some of the 80's releases that followed got a bit stale, but I'd mark that more as band stagnation as opposed to being the fault of Brian. We're talking AC/DC here… the formula won't change that much.
I will say, though, that with the band's later releases, not only were there longer intervals between those releases (perhaps indicating more craftsmanship going into them), but the sound got much more interesting. Brian at times would settle into some slower, bluesy numbers that were excellent. I'd rank "Boogeyman" up there with "Night Prowler." Or for energy, I'd match "T ‘N' T" with "Thunderstruck" in a heartbeat. And if you hate AC/DC, as some do, then all of that probably bored the hell out of you.
Finally, they're on their way!!!
No, not the aliens from outer space that established the monolith we saw in 2001: A Space Odyssey, who would be revisiting us in order to fix the economy--since apparently no one on earth can figure out how to do it. (Bon Scott scream here) MY TICKETS FOR THE PARIS CONCERT!!!!!!! are on their way!!!! (another Bon Scott scream here) One day, will I say: "Angus, we'll always have Paris"? All I can think is: "HIGH VOLTAGE, HIGH VOLTAGE, HIGH VOLTAGE ROCK AND ROLL...WINE, WOMEN AND SONG...." Big problem, though. I'm leaving for DC at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning and the tickets will be arriving while I'm gone. Now that David is no longer with us as guardian of my neighborhood, will I have to depend on those downstairs neighbors? What if they're arrested again and aren't home when the tickets get there?
I will figure this out, though, as I've figured out other things in this house like: what's with this litter box situation, is there any way to get a feeding schedule set around here, and what does a cat have to do to get treats every now and then? When will the cleaning lady--who comes by too infrequently--get with the program about me? Although she is appropriately deferential when I deign to make an appearance, so alright.
A mention on the AC/DC tour revenue: AC/DC will bring their Black Ice World Tour back to North America for another leg of dates this summer, playing stadiums and arenas. Since starting its tour in late October, most (??) of AC/DC's North America dates sold out. From October 2008 through March 2009, the band grossed $49.1 million from 36 concerts that drew more than 561,000 fans, according to Billboard Boxscore.
I will figure this out, though, as I've figured out other things in this house like: what's with this litter box situation, is there any way to get a feeding schedule set around here, and what does a cat have to do to get treats every now and then? When will the cleaning lady--who comes by too infrequently--get with the program about me? Although she is appropriately deferential when I deign to make an appearance, so alright.
A mention on the AC/DC tour revenue: AC/DC will bring their Black Ice World Tour back to North America for another leg of dates this summer, playing stadiums and arenas. Since starting its tour in late October, most (??) of AC/DC's North America dates sold out. From October 2008 through March 2009, the band grossed $49.1 million from 36 concerts that drew more than 561,000 fans, according to Billboard Boxscore.
Monday, April 6, 2009
US Tour Dates Set for Summer 2009
The acdc.com News page says: Click here to see AC/DC's Black Ice North American Leg dates. Additional concerts will be announced shortly.
Will these dates include Texas? If there were a good chance that at least one of the additional dates would be in Texas, I would pass on Detroit, which is my current choice. Not sure the personal funds situation can absorb Detroit tickets and airfare if there turns out to be a show in Houston, San Antonio or Austin. And what about the possibility that AC/DC will play Mexico? It's too much decision making under uncertainty by April 11!
Will these dates include Texas? If there were a good chance that at least one of the additional dates would be in Texas, I would pass on Detroit, which is my current choice. Not sure the personal funds situation can absorb Detroit tickets and airfare if there turns out to be a show in Houston, San Antonio or Austin. And what about the possibility that AC/DC will play Mexico? It's too much decision making under uncertainty by April 11!
So, big leap of faith, I'll wait for more concert dates rather than take a life-threatening chance in Detroit. Even if I had to go to Arizona, site infamous for the time a "fan" threw a beer on Angus, it would probably be cheaper and easier than Detroit or Grand Rapids. I know my Ann Arbor relative is breathing a sigh of relief--like she reads this blog.
It was an anxious night of making this decision so Bibi will nap extensively today to recover. Couldn't find any online articles about the Bilbao concert, although the guys probably rocked the house down. Tonight is the re-scheduled concert in Zurich--I did email the electric company in Switzerland about "no power in Switzerland on Sundays for concerts"--and the reply was that of course they have power in Switzerland on Sundays for whatever purpose. So the mystery of "technical difficulties" that caused the re-scheduling of the Zurich concert remains.
So sorry, Abruzzo!
Terrible news for the Abruzzo area of Italy--a devastating earthquake! Hope the AC/DC Abruzzo group is okay as well as their family and friends.
The boys are back in town--soon!
Omigod, omigod, omigod!!! The announcement we've all been breathlessly awaiting has arrived!!! Although it's a short set of dates, AC/DC will be in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, Michigan in August, so I plan/hope/pray to be there. Here's the complete list:
Foxborough, MA
Gillette Stadium
07/31/09
E. Rutherford, NJ
Giants Stadium
08/16/09
Detroit, MI
Palace of Auburn Hills
08/18/09
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
08/30/09
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma Dome
09/02/09
San Jose, CA
HP Pavillion
09/04/09
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
09/06/09
San Diego, CA
Sports Arena
09/08/09
Anaheim, CA
Live Nation Honda Center
Foxborough, MA
Gillette Stadium
07/31/09
E. Rutherford, NJ
Giants Stadium
08/16/09
Detroit, MI
Palace of Auburn Hills
08/18/09
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
08/30/09
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma Dome
09/02/09
San Jose, CA
HP Pavillion
09/04/09
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center
09/06/09
San Diego, CA
Sports Arena
09/08/09
Anaheim, CA
Live Nation Honda Center
AC/DC in Bilbao, Spain,
Have seen a few posts about last night’s concert that thundered through Bilbao, Spain (northern Spain, Basque area). The show was fantastic—if the Youtube videos are any indication. BTW: If you’re interested in a mini-course on everything about AC/DC, try the sources I mentioned previously, as well as acdcbelgium.blogspot.com—you’ll get up to speed before you know it—and—you’ll love the experience.. Thanks to Bedlam in Belgium, found a making-of video for Anything Goes, second cut from Black Ice: loved it! Have watched it over and over. Not only does it have lovely, fleeting views of that most enchanting city on earth, Paris, but right off, there’s Angus! The guys are being driven to Bercy stadium to film footage for the video. He’s such a character—he charms us right away with tidbits: “I don’t talk much before 12.” I mean, who does, really? Later in the video, we see him backstage just before the Highway to Hell segment of the Bercy (Paris, February 2009) concert, putting on the devil horns, he points to his face, and, typically deprecating about himself, “Pretty as ever. You can’t buy beauty like this.” How adorable!
Told a couple of you about a new link, http://acdcfannation.com/ . One of the things acdc.com has done right is this series of videos about the fans. Many of my friends, acquaintances, relatives, think this AC/DC fascination of mine is more than just a little outré; once you watch these two fannation videos, you’ll see I’m strictly one of the only plain vanilla, conservative fans. Cool parts include Abruzzo, the Italian AC/DC fangroup and a fan who dealt with his alcohol issues through his AC/DC devotion. (Malcolm, Angus’s brother and co-founder of AC/DC, is a recovering alcoholic.) A number of the other fans come across really strongly in their own inimitable ways: the ones from Japan, some with their outrageous AC/DC tattoos, some with fashion and dental issues, and all share a common trait with me—an intense, insistently declared, unapologetic love for the greatest live band in the world.
Told a couple of you about a new link, http://acdcfannation.com/ . One of the things acdc.com has done right is this series of videos about the fans. Many of my friends, acquaintances, relatives, think this AC/DC fascination of mine is more than just a little outré; once you watch these two fannation videos, you’ll see I’m strictly one of the only plain vanilla, conservative fans. Cool parts include Abruzzo, the Italian AC/DC fangroup and a fan who dealt with his alcohol issues through his AC/DC devotion. (Malcolm, Angus’s brother and co-founder of AC/DC, is a recovering alcoholic.) A number of the other fans come across really strongly in their own inimitable ways: the ones from Japan, some with their outrageous AC/DC tattoos, some with fashion and dental issues, and all share a common trait with me—an intense, insistently declared, unapologetic love for the greatest live band in the world.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Great to meet you!
Hello, I’m Bibi and I love, love, love Angus. Yes, that Angus, or as I think of him: the incomparable lead guitar god from AC/DC. Of course, I love AC/DC: their music, their straight-up, kick ass attitude about rock n roll, their grit and absolute, unwavering dedication to giving us a shake you all night long level of performance every time they take the stage. I think and talk about a lot of things—myself, for example, a fantastic subject-- but also a whole range of fascinating subjects that shall be revealed over time. Since I saw AC/DC in concert for the first time on December 14, 2009, though, it’s all about them and particularly Angus, as you will see. I was most definitely thunderstruck.
As everyone in the free world knows, AC/DC is on a so long- awaited world tour after an extended absence in support of their newest album, Black Ice. Having completely laid waste to the US and parts of Canada late last year—this is when I first saw them in concert on that fateful day--they are currently blazing across Europe, leaving their ecstatic fans exhausted but satisfied—at least until their summer outdoor concert venues begin in May. The guys are up for a short break in early April from their outrageously full concert schedule and will continue their world domination throughout the summer months, culminating in what will very likely be a rock til the stadium comes crashing down in Glasgow on June 30. (Did you notice that U2 wisely won't begin their European tour until AC/DC finishes their tour?) The fabulous, incredible, unbelievable thing is: I plan to see them in Paris on June 12 and in Amsterdam on June 23---Bon Scott type scream here, yes!!! Paris in June...and AC/DC...whoa! The tickets are bought, the reservations all made, the excel file with the outfits planned out is in process…omigod! Also have gotten in contact with Marc in Paris and we’re planning to meet, I’ll finally meet his children, catch up with Jessica—bet the pregnancy will not even have an effect on her; some people! Still hoping that Raymond will be able to come to Paris or at least to Amsterdam to experience AC/DC's effect on thier loyal following.
I've discovered several like-minded AC/DC fans on the web, particularly AC/DC ABRUZZO, an Italian group of fans that has followed the guys for some time now, but for this tour have already seen them in the US and in many of the European cities so far. Their blog is really well-written and they seem like a nice bunch of obsessed guys. There's also the gang that talks on all kinds of AC/DC stuff at acdc.com. Hope to run into some of these folks in Paris and/or Amsterdam. I've followed their comments and concert reviews with avid interest. Another site: AC-DC.net has the best listing of online articles and reviews--great way to follow the group across Europe, links to AC/DC merchandise, including a book which seems to have been written by the guy that owns AC-DC.net--fantastic work!
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