AC/DC, an Australian band founded in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, built a global trajectory in rock with albums and tours of enormous commercial impact, surpassing already established and renowned artists such as the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.
The trajectory of the group, which celebrates in São Paulo this Tuesday (24), includes hits such as “TNT” and “Highway to Hell”, but also episodes that provoked journalistic repercussions, changes in formation, as well as legal and medical implications.
Vocalist asphyxiated by accident
In February 1980, singer Bon Scott, then 33 years old, was found dead in a car in London, England. Reports of the investigations and testimonies from people close to him point to suffocation due to vomiting after excessive alcohol consumption.
Scott immortalized the high tone that characterizes most of AC/DC’s songs. But his death, in itself, was not a surprise.
According to the Australian ABC News, friends and colleagues stated at the time that the vocalist’s self-destructive behavior, frequent associations with alcohol, drug use and risky attitudes, such as riding a motorcycle at high speed, had already been a cause for concern and that warnings about what could happen had been made by people close to him.
The death led the band to interrupt their routine before recruiting Brian Johnson, who is still in the band today. The album recorded two months after Scott’s death, “Back in Black”, became a tribute and, to this day, is the second best-selling album of all time, behind Michael Jacson’s “Thriller”.
Guitarist with several health problems
Malcolm Young, co-founder and responsible for , began to face health problems from 2008 onwards, including a diagnosis of lung cancer and later heart complications that required the placement of pacemakers.
In 2014, Malcolm revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia, a condition that forced him to withdraw from the group’s activities and, later, to retire.
To the Australian press, Angus Young stated that he had noticed impairment in Malcolm’s faculties during the production of the album “Black Ice” (2008).
His brother’s departure led to a change in formation: his nephew Stevie Young took over Malcolm’s place, who died in November 2017.
Drummer arrested and sentenced
In November 2014, New Zealand police arrested drummer Phil Rudd. He was initially accused of trying to contract the execution of two people. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana and making death threats.
The murder charge was dropped days later due to lack of evidence. Rudd, however, continued to face charges of drug possession and threats.
AC/DC members said they had not spoken to the drummer since he was accused of attempted murder, according to the BBC. Angus Young said the group had “some problems” with Rudd during the recording of their last album, but that the arrest “took everyone by surprise”.
The sentence imposed was eight months of home detention, after the court found his criminal history to be limited, but highlighted the presence of a substantial quantity of narcotics in his home. The episode sidelined Rudd, but he returned to tour between 2018 and 2023.
Deaf vocalist
In March 2016, Brian Johnson, who replaced Bon Scott in 1980, was advised by doctors to stop performing in large arenas and stadiums at the risk of becoming completely deaf. Johnson reported difficulties hearing instruments on stage and classified the information as “the darkest day” of his professional career.
The medical recommendation led AC/DC to postpone and reschedule dates and to call on Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, to replace Johnson on the remaining dates of the “Rock or Bust” tour.
Johnson stated that he would continue to record in the studio while he sought treatment and, years later, he reported having undergone experimental treatment that improved his hearing, allowing him to return to recording and participate in the group’s new album.
Fans killed at concert
During a concert in Salt Lake City, United States, in 1991, three teenagers were crushed to death when the crowd advanced. Reports indicate that the presentation continued for around 20 minutes while the confusion occurred.
Only later did the band become aware of what had happened. AC/DC issued messages of condolence to the families, but the episode raised criticism about security at massive events and the response of production and artists to emergencies at shows.
Image and digital presence decisions
Commercial issues also generated public debates: the band resisted making their catalog available on digital platforms for years, only relenting in 2012 with a presence on iTunes.
The maintenance of visual icons, such as the collegiate outfit worn by Angus Young, and decisions about line-up replacements (including the retention of the AC/DC name after Malcolm’s departure) generated discussions about artistic authenticity and brand continuity.
AC/DC performs in São Paulo in February and March 2026
AC/DC will make three performances at the Morumbis stadium, in São Paulo, on February 24th and 28th and March 4th, 2026. These will be the band’s only shows in Brazil. The band’s current lineup includes: Angus Young (lead guitar), Brian Johnson (vocals), Stevie Young (rhythm guitar), Chris Chaney (bass) and Matt Laug (drums).
Following their visit to the country, the group will go on to two concerts in Chile, three in Argentina and another two in Mexico, ending the band’s visit with the “Power Up” tour through Latin America.
