AC/DC have just brought the curtain down on one of the biggest tours in rock. The Power Up Tour ended on 2 October 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Dave Grohl joining the band for "Highway to Hell", capping a run that took them across Europe, North America, Australia and South America from 2024.
More than fifty years after their first gig in Sydney, the band built by Malcolm and Angus Young remain the gold standard for no-nonsense hard rock. Find more rock royalty in our rock music clothing collection.
AC/DC Fact File
| Formed | 1973, Sydney, Australia (first gig 31 December 1973) |
|---|---|
| Founders | Malcolm Young and Angus Young |
| Current members | Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams |
| Former members | Bon Scott, Malcolm Young, Mark Evans and others |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | Hard rock, blues rock, rock and roll |
| Labels | Albert, Atlantic, Epic, Columbia |
| Studio albums | 17 |
| Status | Active; Power Up Tour ended October 2026 |
| Signature item | Angus Young's schoolboy uniform and Gibson SG |
Career History
| Years | Lead vocalist / Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1975-1977 | Bon Scott / Albert, Atlantic | High Voltage (1975), Let There Be Rock (1977) |
| 1979 | Bon Scott / Atlantic | Highway to Hell |
| 1980 | Brian Johnson / Atlantic | Back in Black |
| 1990 | Brian Johnson / Atco | The Razors Edge |
| 2008 | Brian Johnson / Columbia | Black Ice |
| 2014 | Brian Johnson / Columbia | Rock or Bust |
| 2020 | Brian Johnson / Columbia | Power Up |
A selection of key studio albums; labels shown are those most associated with each release.
Early Years in Sydney
Brothers Malcolm and Angus Young formed AC/DC in Sydney in 1973, playing their first show at the Chequers nightclub on New Year's Eve. With Bon Scott on vocals, the band honed a raw, riff-driven sound on the Australian pub circuit, and debut album High Voltage arrived in 1975.
Angus's schoolboy uniform and duck-walking guitar solos became a trademark, while Malcolm's rhythm playing gave the band its engine. Let There Be Rock and Highway to Hell took them to the world stage.
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Back in Black
After Bon Scott's death in February 1980, the band recruited Brian Johnson and returned within months with Back in Black. It has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in music history, and in August 2024 the RIAA certified it 27 times platinum in the United States.
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Stadium Kings
The Razors Edge in 1990 brought the band back to arenas worldwide, and Black Ice in 2008 earned them a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for "War Machine". Malcolm Young retired in 2014 and died in November 2017, with nephew Stevie Young taking over rhythm guitar.
Power Up, released in November 2020 as a tribute to Malcolm, reached number one in 21 countries and topped both the Billboard 200 and the ARIA chart.
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Achievements
Halls of Fame
- ARIA Hall of Fame, inaugural inductees (1988)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2003)
Awards and records
- Grammy Award: Best Hard Rock Performance for "War Machine" (2010)
- Back in Black: certified 27 times platinum by the RIAA
- Power Up: number one in 21 countries
Away From the Spotlight
The Young family story runs right through AC/DC: brothers Malcolm and Angus founded the band, and their nephew Stevie now plays rhythm guitar. On the 2024-2026 tour, Matt Laug and Chris Chaney filled in on drums and bass.
FAQs
When was AC/DC formed?
AC/DC were formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, playing their first gig on 31 December that year.
Who is in AC/DC now?
The official line-up is Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Stevie Young, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams.
How many albums has AC/DC released?
AC/DC have released 17 studio albums, the most recent being Power Up in 2020.
How many copies has Back in Black sold?
Back in Black has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide.
When did the Power Up Tour end?
The tour ended on 2 October 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Are AC/DC in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
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AC/DC Men's T-Shirt
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.
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