SOME PEOPLE will be aware that Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time. Few will be able to name the second-biggest hit, unless they are a fan of hard-rock music. “Back in Black” by AC/DC, which was released 40 years ago on July 25th 1980, has sold 29.4m copies. That is a way behind “Thriller” at 47.3m, but a long way clear of the all-time number three, “Bat Out of Hell” by Meat Loaf.
Robert John “Mutt” Lange was 31 years old when AC/DC hired him to work as the producer of “Back in Black”. He had been making records for eight years, notably with the Boomtown Rats, and had produced AC/DC’s previous album, “Highway to Hell”. He was successful, but the success of “Back in Black” made him a phenomenon, and one of the most important and influential figures in music for the next 20 years.
“Back in Black” became AC/DC’s biggest album because they were desperate for success and they gave themselves fully over to Mr Lange in their pursuit of it. Recording began in April 1980, just two months after the death of their singer, Bon Scott, and weeks after Brian Johnson had been named his replacement. Mr Lange softened their harder edges, emphasising rousing choruses and packing the songs with hooks.
The sun came up today. Mum died. Clouds passed.
The Posh Boys & Girls laughable attempt to seem 'relevant' ? AC/DC was last on the charts? Because aging Metal-Heads read this 'newspaper'? Their all at the Audiologist's .