AC/DC

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Phrasing, vibrato and rock-solid timing: inside the essential elements of AC/DC's legendary guitar style

By Jon Bishop published 5 July 23

All aboard the Rock ’N’ Roll Train as we take the long way to the top with this in-depth lesson in the raw hard-rock perfection of Angus and the late Malcolm Young's playing style

Sam Fender performing with Brian Johnson and his old guitar teacher

Sam Fender’s old guitar teacher joined him onstage to play AC/DC hits with Brian Johnson – and absolutely nailed Angus Young’s solos

By Matt Owen published 13 June 23

“I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this if it wasn’t for your tutelage,” Fender wrote to his old tutor, who channeled prime Young on an Epiphone SG

Joe Bonamassa performing a cover of Back In Black with Scary Pockets

Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DC’s Back in Black like you’ve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm ’n’ blues reimagining

By Matt Parker published 28 April 23

The blues-rock ace has teamed up with funk band Scary Pockets and vocalist Joanna Jones to offer a new take on Angus Young’s iconic riff and solo

Satchel: Malcolm Young influenced more guitarists than Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton

By Matt Parker published 27 February 23

"Think about all the bands that have come after AC/DC that have tried to write AC/DC-sounding songs with three chords," the Steel Panther guitarist said in a recent interview

Brian Johnson (left) and Angus Young from AC/DC perform live on stage at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on February 16, 1982.

How to play Back in Black on guitar

By Chris Bird published 13 January 23

Learn one of the greatest riffs of all time from Australian rock legends AC/DC

Iggy Pop says he was once asked to join AC/DC: “I listened to their record. I thought, I can’t fit that bill”

By Matt Owen published 3 January 23

The Stooges frontman – who felt he wasn't what the band needed – also recalled a "wonderful encounter" with Bon Scott

Brian Johnson “told not to” answer questions about the future of AC/DC, as it's the band's “official line”

By Sam Roche published 22 December 22

The band's frontman was tight-lipped when recently asked by Eddie Trunk about future live shows and a followup to 2020's Power Up

Man wearing headphones playing air guitar

The top 10 air guitar songs of all time

By Guitar World Staff published 11 November 22

From Free Bird’s iconic guitar solo to the legendary licks of Layla, here are the best tracks to “play” when you’re without your axe but fancy an impromptu practice session

Gretsch Malcolm Young Beast Signature Jet

Gretsch honors Malcolm Young with all-new, limited-edition “Red Beast” Signature Jet

By Matt Owen published 5 October 22

Based on the rhythm great's original Beast as it appeared during AC/DC's early years, the signature sports three pickups, a Vintage Firebird Red finish and gold hardware

Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend took rock further, with big volume, big ideas, and ever more ambitious songwriting

The greatest guitar albums of the ‘70s: Getting the Led out with Sabbath, the Who, Pink Floyd and more

By Jenna Scaramanga published 19 August 22

Punk was a revolution, disco a global phenomenon, but the guitar music of the '70s was dominated by the giants of rock. Here are the decade's top 10 guitar albums, as chosen by you...

Watch Guns N’ Roses cover AC/DC’s Back in Black at recent Spain show

By Matt Parker published 8 June 22

See Slash and company take on their second new AC/DC cover in three days

Watch Guns N’ Roses cover AC/DC and revisit deep cuts for the first time in 30 years at first show of 2022 European tour

By Matt Owen published 7 June 22

Reckless Life and the Appetite for Destruction version of You're Crazy were performed for the first time in three decades, and were accompanied by a cover of AC/DC's Walk All Over You

Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and AC/DC guitar riffs performed on obscure percussion instruments sounds surprisingly brilliant

By Matt Parker published 13 May 22

You didn’t know you needed a cover of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck on the slap-o-phone in your life… until today

Angus Young performs with AC/DC at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan on November 17, 1983

AC/DC's Angus Young: "I liked the SGs because they were light. I tried Fenders but they were too heavy and they just didn't have the balls"

By Steven Rosen published 31 March 22

In his first GW interview from 1984, AC/DC's lead guitar dynamo discusses his beloved #1 SG and why you can't beat a Marshall hundred-watt stack

(from left) Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Phil Rudd of AC/DC perform live in Munich, Germany

AC/DC's Angus and Malcolm Young: "Most of our early tracks speed up toward the end. After the guitar solo we’d start to take off!"

By Richard Bienstock published 6 January 22

In this classic Guitar World interview from 2003, the brothers Young revisit the albums and songs that made them guitar giants

Prince William begins his week by listening to AC/DC's Thunderstruck

By Sam Roche published 6 December 21

“The first time I put it on I thought, ‘This is quite heavy’, but now, when I listen to it, it's the best tonic for a Monday morning,” the royal says

(from left) Dave Grohl, H.E.R. and Wolfgang Van Halen

Foo Fighters, Mammoth WVH, AC/DC, Black Pumas, St. Vincent, H.E.R., Dream Theater nominated for Grammys

By Jackson Maxwell last updated 3 April 22

Chris Cornell, Deftones, Arlo Parks, Gojira, Mastodon, Weezer, Paul McCartney, Joe Bonamassa, Japanese Breakfast and Cedric Burnside were also among the nominees

10 essential Gibson SG albums

By Glenn Kimpton published 19 November 21

The solidbody double-cut with the instantly recognizable silhoeutte has graced some of the greatest recordings of all time

Brian Johnson (C) from ACDC laughs with Dave Grohl (L) of US rock band the Foo Fighters as they perform onstage during the taping of the "Vax Live" fundraising concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on May 2, 2021

Watch pro-shot footage of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson tearing through Back in Black with the Foo Fighters

By Richard Bienstock published 10 May 21

Johnson joined the Foos onstage at Global Citizen’s Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World event

Brian Johnson from ACDC performs with Dave Grohl (R) of the Foo Fighters during the taping of the "Vax Live" fundraising concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on May 2, 2021.

Watch snippet of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson performing Back in Black with the Foo Fighters at Vax Live concert

By Richard Bienstock published 4 May 21

The full event, which also features Eddie Vedder and H.E.R., will air May 8

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