AC/DC - Solid Worldwide Fame

Back in Black

7th album released in July 1980

Genres considered - Hard rock, Heavy metal

First album with lead singer, Brian Johnson

Point of intrigue - After the passing of lead vocalist, Bon Scott, the remaining members of AC/DC considered breaking up but instead opted to stay together to record an album in honor of Scott.

"...unprecedented commercial and critical success..."

Sold 50 million copies worldwide - one of the best-selling albums in music history ... Promoted via a yearlong world tour ... "the biggest selling hard rock album ever made" - Mark Beaumont, NME

"...cemented them among the most popular music acts of the early 1980s..."

Certified 27x Platinum in the U.S. (2024)

3rd best-selling album in the United States

No. 6 on best-selling albums list in the U.S.

Point of intrigue - Back in Black never reached No. 1 on American charts.

No. 1 on UK Albums chart & No. 4 on U.S. charts

"...an exceptional showing for a heavy metal album..." - Rolling Stone

No. 1 on Australia's ARIA Charts

(Australian Recording Industry Association)

After release of this album, AC/DC's previous albums - Highway to Hell, If You Want Blood You've Got It, Let There Be Rock - re-entered UK charts ... First time since The Beatles to have four albums in the British Top 100 simultaneously

"You Shook Me All Night Long" - No. 35 on Billboard Hot 100

Ratings -

AllMusic - 5/5 Stars

The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 4/5 Stars

The Great Rock Discography - 8/10

Pitchfork - 8.8/10

Rolling Stone - 5/5 Stars

The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 5/5 Stars

Spin Alternative Record Guide - 8/10

Tracks -

Side A -

1.  Hells Bells

2.  Shoot to Thrill

3.  What Do You Do For Money Honey

4.  Givin the Dog a Bone

5.  Let Me Put My Love into You

Side B - 

6.  Back in Black

7.  You Shook Me All Night Long

8.  Have a Drink on Me

9.  Shake a Leg

10.  Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

Personnel -

Brian Johnson - Lead vocals

Angus Young - Lead guitar

Malcolm Young - Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals

Cliff Williams - Bass, Backing vocals

Phil Rudd - Drums

Certifications -

Gold in Brazil, Poland, & Spain 

Platinum in Austria 

2x Platinum in France, Germany, Switzerland, & the UK

3x Platinum in Argentina, Denmark, & Italy

6x Platinum in New Zealand 

12x Platinum in Australia

27x Platinum in the U.S.

Diamond in Canada

(Wikipedia)