Bibi Meets Angus Young, finally!

You could say dirty deeds were done dirt cheap on Sunday, November 8, when AC/DC rocked the house down with their high-power, explosive, exhausting show. Well, maybe not dirt cheap, but feeling that surge of anticipation when the house lights went down and you knew that FINALLY AC/DC's long awaited concert was about to begin, whoa, PRICELESS!!! The crowd reaction was intense: devil horns flashing, all our emotion pouring out in shouting, fist pumping, Bon Scott screams, and pure adrenalin. The song list was familiar to Bibi and alright! Angus and Brian were electric--Brian was working the crowd, Angus a whirling, duck walking, guitar god. Of course, the hits got the greatest roars of approval, but around me, no one sat down for the entire concert, there was just too much energy coming from the stage to settle down. It was a raucous, wild time, really loud--as God intended a rock concert to be--completely absorbing, life affirming, rock n roll will NEVER die kind of experience. As each song began, the crowd roar would drown everything out and then as everyone sang along, you could see Brian was eating it up, egging us on to total voice obliteration. By the time Angus blasted into Let There Be Rock, everyone was sweat-drenched, nearing exhaustion, but so ready to rock on with the greatest band on earth.

Began the evening with a meet n greet for some acdc.com folks, an experience in itself. What a great bunch of people!Got to show off my flag, too! I was so happy that Rolan coud go with me--he's a huge acca dacca fan, like me, and we had a great time! The evening did take a slight turn for the worse as I was walking to the car: a *x%$# person came up behind me and stole may devil horns! My voice was gone, of course, so when I yelled at him, couldn't hear me.

Of course, the next part, at AC/DC's hotel, led to almost total recovery really quickly. On Saturday night, David and Vanessa (acdc.com-ers from Denver) and I had met, had dinner at Hard Rock and just happened to visit the bar at a nearby posh hotel. While seated there, with a view to the front entrance, I thought I was imaging things when Phil Rudd walked in and scooted quickly to the elevators. But no, a few minutes later, I recognized two of the security guys from Europe with Brian and Cliff! Cliff and his companion got into the elevator, but Brian spent a few minutes with Vanessa and David. I felt like I needed to hold back, after all, I'd had my moment in Brian's sun in Amsterdam. Vanessa and David were ecstatic and I was feeling pretty good, too! So glad I was there!

After the concert on Sunday, a few of us gathered outside the hotel and YES, YES, YES, finally got to meet .... ANGUS YOUNG, ROCK GUITAR GOD EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!! Got to re-meet Cliff, got his autograph and also, really cool, got to speak to the elusive Phil and got his signature. The smallish crowd (maybe 15 of us) then got the thrill of a lifetime when Malcolm and Angus worked our line, one at each end, so all of us got both autographs and, when requested, photos with each of them! Bibi felt really honored that Ross, Malcolm's son, agreed to take the photo of me and his uncle. I could barely speak and at that, I can't say all of it was coherent. Guess Angus has gotten accustomed to that kind of behavior, though. I know others have mentioned this, but until I experienced it myself, I didn't really feel how Angus and Malcolm are so kind and gentle with the fans, so generous with their time and energy, especially after the incredibly energetic, body-punishing show. It meant so much to me that Angus actually listened to what I was saying and responded, although, of course, I was totally blown away that I was even speaking to him. Also, surprized that next to Angus and Malcolm, Bibi seemed like a giant.

Still processing the whole experience and treasuring my High Voltage cd cover that now bears the autographs of Cliff, Phil, Malcolm and Angus. Unbelievable!

Hope to post tomorrow night from Mexico City....hasta la vista, y'all!

You Shook Me All Night Long says it all

Bibi has already praised Highway to Hell for the masterpiece it is and Back in Black has been universally declared one of the greatest albums ever composed. Even if we didn’t know the background of Brian becoming part of AC/DC and helping to create BIB, both as lyricist and lead singer, it’s one unbelievably great album. The fact that with BIB, AC/DC essentially came back from the abyss with songs that so cogently express everything they’re about and their absolute belief in themselves, Back in Black is astounding no matter how many times you listen to it. Brian’s voice complements the killer guitar riffs superbly, combination so incredibly alive, they challenge a listener to take issue with them. It’s like Angus, AC/DC personified, is in your face, saying: what??? The entire band declares: Bon’s not with us, but he will always be part of our music in spirit and with this album, we honor his memory; we will rock till we drop. Repeatedly, throughout the songs, they confirm this, but the last track of the album sums it up: rock n roll ain’t noise pollution/Rock n roll will never die. Purists will go one way or the other depending on their specific tastes, but Bibi says (so listen up) IT’S AC/DC—WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Bon was a fantastic front man and AC/DC rocked with him. Brian is a great front man and AC/DC rocks with him, plus, we can’t get Bon back. Either one totally expresses AC/DC’s music credo: live hard, rock harder. End of argument, if you insist there is an argument that pits Bon vs Brian.

There are no weak cuts on BIB, although I don’t like a couple of them as much as I like all the others, but what (besides HTH) can compare to a work that includes You Shook Me All Night Long, Shoot to Thrill, Back in Black and Hells Bells, anyway? And, is there a finer natural two-fer in the world than Back in Black and You Shook Me All Night Long (they follow each other on the album)? Okay, there’s the Highway to Hell and Girls Got Rhythm sequence on HTH. For this album, for me, the TDF choice is so undeniable: You Shook Me All Night Long. I’ve actually heard people say: yeah, an AC/DC concert without YSMANL, okay. WHAT IDIOTS!!! Should they even be allowed to speak at all if they’re going to say stupid stuff like this? I don’t think so. What next? No HTH or beer at an AC/DC concert? Dogs and cats living together? Life without convertibles? Cats writing blogs? Men on the moon? Oops, okay, but you get the idea. Jeeeeezzzzz, some people!

The point is, the concept of a rock n roll good life would not exist without the exuberance, the sheer joy of living expressed by YSMANL. The joint threatens to crash down, the fans go even more insane, a roar almost drowns out the moment Angus and the SG give us the unmistakable, sparkling, opening notes. Phil joins in, just beating his drum kit silly, then Brian sings those immortal words: She was a fast machine/She kept her motor clean/She was the best damn woman I had ever seen. Beyond transcendent, to the sublime, and I’ve been there three times. The rest of the song celebrates the classic rock fantasy: guy meets hot girl. What makes this iteration of the fantasy better than most is, of course, AC/DC’s pure rock band talent and their humor, including considerable insight: Taking more than her share/Had me fighting for air/She told me to come but I was already there. Great, great song!

Bibi won’t be giving a blow by blow comparison between HTH and BIB, do it yourself and have a really good time, but try Walk All Over You and Touch Too Much vs What Do You Do for the Money and Giving the Dog a Bone. Excellent! Once you listen, I predict, you have to say that it’s a draw between the two albums. Each stands on its own as a testimony to AC/DC as the greatest rock band in the universe.

Brian Checks in with the Fans

I know everyone was wondering--at least Bibi was. acdc.com had this note from Brian today:

"It's an inside job that forced me to reschedule those upcoming 6 shows! Inside being the operative word here. My insides were giving me lots of trouble, ulcers and such. They were really uncomfortable and painful, which required me to seek immediate medical attention. The doctor's looked me over, poked, scanned and prodded all possible areas. In the end they gave me a clean bill of health, but insisted that I take a bit of time to recuperate and rest up. We've been touring non stop since this time last year and have a lot more touring to do. Thanks for all of the get well wishes and I hope to see you all again very soon."

So, maybe it's not so bad. Hope he recovers completely soon!

Brian Johnson alert!

Whoa, I had seen a post on acdc.com a couple of days ago that hinted at this:


AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour, which was set to hit Phoenix, AZ on October 1, will be postponed to a later date. Subsequent shows in Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee will also be rescheduled. The tour will resume on October 16 in Washington, DC. Lead singer Brian Johnson recently underwent a medical procedure and at the advice of his doctor is taking some time to rest.


Really makes Bibi pause and think about the way things work out. For a good bit of time, she really considered getting tickets for Las Vegas. Basic common sense prevailed, for once, on that one.
All she can say now is: GET WELL VERY SOON, BRIAN!!! And let there be rock in our AC/DC world again soon thereafter!

Angus Young: Let There Be Rock in Houston, please

Sorry, sorry, sorry to the devoted readership! I had a pick for Friday, but was so dispirited about the will-there-won’t-there-be-a-Houston-concert that I couldn’t finish it. Today, Bibi is still not much consoled about this (hopefully) temporary set back, but I must carry on with my pledge to everyone needing to know the next to-die-for AC/DC classic. So, this post will reveal not only Friday’s selection, but one for the weekend, as well. I know you’re disappointed that there’s only one song for the entire weekend, just like your desk calendar (of cute cats?) that uses one page for Saturday/Sunday, but it will also allow Bibi to recharge. It’s been so stressful worrying about the Houston concert that additional naps have been required just to maintain a semblance of sanity. Be reassured, though, that Bibi has not gone off the deep end with the treats or catnip/alcohol in this time of dread and the litter box training has stayed intact.

Friday’s pick is from The Razor’s Edge, my least favorite cd. It’s played the least, but it will come as no shock to anyone that my fave is (and I am) Thunderstruck. And how could it be otherwise? This hard-edged, glorious rocking ode to wild, youthful abandon: broke all the rules, played all the fools, just blows you away! AND, Texas is mentioned! From its etched-forever-in-your-brain, meticulously played, guitar picking opening, to the booming repetition of the title and the primal chanting by Malcolm and Cliff, whew, it’s a rollicking, non-stop ride to and from Angus’s solo—he cuts loose with incredible confidence in that strong left hand and blasts away until Brian repeats those unforgettable lyrics: I was shaking at the knees/Could I come again please? Listen, just once—or better yet—see them play this in concert and you will, likewise, be Thunderstruck, by this one forever.

My weekend pick is from a live album, If You Want Blood. The one disappointment in this cd is that it does NOT include, If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It). However, that aside, this entire cd is well worth owning for any one song it showcases. They’re mostly monster AC/DC hits as well as being concert standards AND they are all superbly executed. If you’ve never been to an AC/DC concert, Bibi is oh, soooo sad for you, but your disappointment about this state of affairs can be somewhat assuaged if you get the dvd Live at Donington and this cd. I love all the cuts on the cd; AC/DC’s energy and in-your-face attitude is well-served, as well as their talent in sucking us inexorably into their rockin' world. So the winner is a tie: The Jack (Angus’s blues solo is out of this universe—it just wails) and Bad Boy Boogie, raw, wild, “gonna show you how good a bad boy can be.” No joking around, babe! BBB is no longer on the concert set list and that’s too bad. As much as we all love Brian, listening to Bon’s voice transforming BBB into that influence old people/parents obsess about when it comes to rock n roll, you can understand how they would worry. Parents of adolescents be warned: do not let your children listen to this song over and over. The spell cast by the lyrics and the music is irrepressible, all-entangling and unforgettable. You will never break the magic of these three chords—as Angus has said, they’re really good chords.

The Jack is true, old school AC/DC. Unrepentantly a guy song, it is such a cornerstone number, it’s not officially an AC/DC concert if this song is not played. I was set NOT to like it at the beginning of my AC/DC romance, I mean, c'mon, a song about an STD?, but the blues riffs and Angus’s virtuosity with them, making the song sound fresh each time he plays it, just will not allow such heresy. In this version, he’s particularly on--the SG giving us down and dirty blues every which way. You can hear and feel his devotion to the sound he’s creating--and it's fabulous! These days, it's also the song he does his strip to, and what I found amazing at the concerts was how he was still so focused on the blues licks, all the extraneous stuff aside. You could enjoy the fun, silliness of the onstage antics and still count on Angus do the song justice and allow you to just sink on into it. On this song, again, Bon comes through as the quintessential rock singer, feeling and revealing the pain and the glory of it all. EXCELLENT!!

Slow Day for News of Angus Young and AC/DC

Tomorrow is the hugely anticipated AC/DC concert in Winnipeg, Canada--I'm even excited for the lucky fans that get to see this one! In the meantime, it's been a slow few days for fresh AC/DC and Angus news, but today, I heard of this video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU4lDmsPgno&feature=related, basically, what if AC/DC played the Hokey Pokey. A comedian named Jim Breuer sings the song as if Brian was doing it. He does an excellent imitation of Brian and the video comes off really funny. I do wonder if people outside the US, AC/DC included, know how the Hokey Pokey is such an integral part of an American child's upbringing, though. Hope so, or the whole enterprise might come off as just bizarre. Apparently, Brian and Cliff are familiar with this guy's work, because Youtube has another video of him onstage at House of Blues with Brian and Cliff backing him up. Once again, it's truly impressive that AC/DC take themselves and their fame so lightly. A cool bunch of guys!

While I was finding this video clip, just happened to see three or four others of interviews with Angus, a couple with Angus and Malcolm, where, again, the guys demonstrate what approachable and down to earth people they are. The stories of their early days are so unself-conscious and when they talk about their approach to song construction, delivery, so unassuming and matter of fact. What's not to like about them? Plus, Angus is always so quick to point out the funny, humorous parts of the road to fame and the process of making music, along the way, making fun of himself, sometimes. Just adorable! Malcolm always seems so serious and kind of scary, but he spills some of the best glory days' stories.

For the last birthday, got Maximum Rock and Roll and am in the process of filling it with color-coded post its that mark significant dates and events, like band membership changes, tour names and dates. Two-fold objective: fill in the discography that I've begun and work on improving the Maximum Rock and Roll index. The book is a very good source for learning a lot about the band, but it sometimes reads like a laundry list of every scrap of a story ever heard about AC/DC, even if it's only a scrap and doesn't really fit in the paragraph or chapter, and they really could have used an editor with expertise in syntax. The pictures are an interesting collection, if not the best pictures of the band. Angus was much more of a cute poster boy for the band than these pictures suggest--why not show some of those pictures? He's still a good looking man; the book could really benefit from some better pictures. But, I do like the book and really enjoy reading and re-reading it.

If you get a chance, check out that video. It's funny!

Kicked in the Teeth Again: AC/DC in Dallas in November

Can you even believe this? Dallas on November 2! WHERE IS THE HOUSTON DATE?????? Bibi was feeling really low about this. Started watching Criminal Minds and--really, there is a deity out there somewhere that adores Bibi because the scene begins with an eighteen wheeler coming toward us, radio set on ROCK AND ROLL TRAIN!! To hear Brian's voice, hear Angus's riffs, (all the guys, of course) playing the opening song on this tour, well, it was just what I needed to restore my hopes!! This has got to be a positive omen for the impending Houston concert announcement, right? Let there be rooooccccckkkk!

Tune in tomorrow!

The AC/DC North American Summer Stadium Tour Begins

Even though there were apparently no set list changes, THEY'RE BACK and that's the important thing. Comments and reviews indicate that Angus and Brian were really energetic and Angus stole the show (news on what planet?), and that Anvil could have been better. Wasn't that what their movie was about? In any case, they're in the US, in the news (from the pics, looks like Angus's hair is longer and Malcolm got a hair cut) and none too soon, I will see them again. WIthout a set list change, guess Las Vegas is not a reality. With a set list change and I win the Lotto, okay, I'm there. Fingers crossed!

As my vast readership understands, this blog is all about BIBILOVESANGUS, basically about Bibi and Angus. However, in this house, the person that doles out the food and treats keeps talking about someone named Sarah. "Sarah wouldn't like to see you on the table," "Sarah would be unhappy that you annoy Hendrix so much", Sarah will probably bring her cat with her at Christmas." Truth be told, once Bibi's sensitive and beautiful little ears hear the word "Sarah", she tunes out, but don't mention it to the keeper of the treats, okay? Who is this Sarah anyway? Some kind of princess? Did she invent cat treats and hold on to the patent? Does she have a direct line to Angus? Is she familiar with the AC/DC discography? Why should she care if I'm on the table or not? I wouldn't care if she were on the table, as long as she didn't crowd me off. But, I digress. What I wanted to say--on MY blog--is that for the last few weeks, all I've heard is that Sarah's birthday is coming up and lots of attention has been given to the selection and purchasing of suitable gifts, appropriate acknowledgement of the date, blah, blah, blah, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. sheesh! And now, the day, July 29, is finally here, thank the maker, right? So can we get back to talking mostly about me and Angus, important stuff, now? Bibi will even say: Big Happy Birthday shout out (meow out? purr out?), Sarah--whoever and wherever you are. Now, where are those treats--or did they get put in the presents that Sarah was sent?