12 '80s Hard Rock Albums All Fans Should Own
2. Back In Black - AC/DC
Having sold in excess of 50 million copies, 'Back In Black' is not only AC/DC's most successful album, but also one of the biggest selling records of all time. The band's previous release, 'Highway To Hell', had been their most successful album up to that point, and it seemed as if everything was pointing upwards for AC/DC, but the unexpected death of singer Bon Scott in 1980 changed everything.
Scott was not only a fantastic showman and rabble-rouser in chief for the AC/DC live experience, but was also the writer of the famously rude'n'crude lyrics that they were renowned for. In short, he seemed irreplaceable. That they decided to plough on was commendable, but their decision to hire Newcastle-born Brian Johnson, whose previous success was confined to a couple of hits with Geordie, seemed a left-field decision.
The band's judgement was vindicated, however, with Johnson well up to the task of creating a classic double-entendre - 'Sink The Pink' anyone? The title track was pure AC/DC refined to its essence, a driving beat, pulsing bass, crunching guitar and a magical Angus Young solo. There are many essential albums in the AC/DC catalogue - why stop at one?