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Back in Black 1980
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Back in Black

When we think of Back in Black, it's impossible not to feel the raw energy and power that defines AC/DC. This album, released in 1980, arrived at a crucial moment for the Australian band. Following the success of Highway to Hell, tragedy struck with the loss of their vocalist, Bon Scott, in February of that same year. The news was a devastating blow, and the group even considered the possibility of breaking up. However, music and creative drive led them to move forward, seeking a new vocal frontman. This is how Brian Johnson, from Geordie, joined Angus and Malcolm Young to shape this work. The album's composition was conceived between Johnson and the Young brothers, and the recording took place in the Bahamas, at Compass Point Studios, over seven weeks between April and May 1980. Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who had already collaborated on Highway to Hell, was back in charge, guiding the sessions that would later be mixed at Electric Lady Studios in New York. The all-black cover design was a conscious decision as a sign of mourning for Bon Scott.

Year
1980
Songs
10
Duration
44 min 23 seg
Listen to the album ★

10 song|s

Song list

# Title Available ⏱
01

Hells Bells

Guitarra · Intermedio

5:12 02

Shoot to Thrill

Guitarra · Intermedio

5:17 03

What Do You Do for Money Honey

Guitarra · Intermedio

3:31
04

Given the Dog a Bone

Guitarra · Fácil

3:32
05

Let Me Put My Love Into You

Guitarra · Fácil

5:52 06

Back in Black

Guitarra · Bajo · Intermedio

4:15 07

You Shook Me All Night Long

Guitarra · Fácil

3:30
08

Have a Drink on Me

Guitarra · Fácil

4:16
09

Shake a Leg

Guitarra · Intermedio

4:37
10

Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution

Guitarra · Intermedio

4:21

About the album

Back in Black, according to DoReSol

The impact of Back in Black was immediate and monumental. It became an unprecedented commercial and critical success, selling around 50 million copies worldwide, placing it among the best-selling albums in history. The band supported this release with a year-long world tour, solidifying their position as one of the most popular musical acts of the early eighties. Songs like Hells Bells, with its iconic bell sound recorded with a custom-made instrument, or the title track, Back in Black, are perfect examples of the band's energy and unmistakable style. Mutt Lange's production helped refine AC/DC's sound, making it more accessible without losing the rocking, straightforward essence that characterizes them.

This album not only marked a new beginning for AC/DC with Brian Johnson at the helm but also demonstrated the resilience and strength of their musical offering. Its powerful sound and direct lyrics resonated with a massive audience, taking the band to new heights of recognition. The recording in the Bahamas, despite sometimes challenging conditions like storms and power outages, resulted in a powerful and distinctive sound. The use of wireless systems for guitars, such as the Schaffer–Vega, contributed to that particular timbre heard throughout the record. Back in Black was first released in America in July 1980, followed by editions in Europe and Australia in August of the same year, and its success remained firm on the charts for months.

Discography

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Highway to Hell 1979

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