30 Amazing Photographs of Angus Young of AC/DC on Stage in the Late 1970s and 1980s

Angus McKinnon Young (born March 31, 1955) is an Australian musician, best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and the only continuous member of the hard rock band AC/DC. He is known for his energetic performances, schoolboy-uniform stage outfits and his own version of Chuck Berry’s duckwalk. Young was ranked 38th in the 2023 edition of Rolling Stone’s 250 greatest guitarists of all time list. In 2003, Young and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Prior to forming AC/DC, Angus Young played in a local group called Kantuckee. Kantuckee’s line-up included Bob McGlynn (vocals), Angus Young (guitar), Jon Stevens (bass) and Trevor James (drums). The band split and was later called Tantrum with the following line up: Mark Sneddon (vocals-guitar), Angus Young (guitar), Jon Stevens (bass) and Trevor James (drums).

Young was 18 when he and his brother Malcolm Young formed AC/DC in 1973. Young was on lead guitar, Malcolm on rhythm guitar, Colin Burgess on drums, Larry Van Kriedt on bass guitar and Dave Evans on vocals. The band had a recording contract with Albert Productions; it had also produced the work of the Easybeats.

AC/DC gained traction with early albums like High Voltage (1975), T.N.T. (1975), and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976). Their breakthrough came with Let There Be Rock (1977) and Powerage (1978), showcasing Angus’s raw, blues-infused guitar style. Their 1979 album, Highway to Hell, became their best-selling at the time and launched them to new heights of fame; but tragedy struck when lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980.

The band bounced back with Back in Black (1980), featuring Brian Johnson on vocals. The album became one of the best-selling of all time. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (1981) solidified their status as stadium rock icons.

Throughout the 1980s, they released albums like Flick of the Switch (1983), Fly on the Wall (1985), and Blow Up Your Video (1988). Angus’s high-energy performances, duckwalks, and headbanging became legendary, making him one of the most recognizable guitarists in rock history.