Why AC/DC Matters (book + giveaway)
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A book called Why AC/DC Matters (HarperCollins, 160 pages, $16.66) may seem redundant. The world's second best-selling music act (The Beatles are #1) obviously matters to millions of people. But for Anthony Bozza, a writer whose portfolio includes Rolling Stone and autobiographies of Tommy Lee and Slash, that isn't enough. He explains his motivation for the book thus:
I'm sick of seeing AC/DC begrudgingly acknowledged. I'm sick of mainstream critics acting surprised when confronted with the band's demonstrable achievements and continuing popularity among generation after generation of obsessively devoted fans. I'm tired of the critical subtext that AC/DC is a band for the tasteless masses, that it is unworthy of the serious consideration afforded bands (like the White Stripes) mining blues and rock with calculated pretension.
This kind of reactive attitude is prevalent among music fans. "Why doesn't X magazine feature Y band?" is a common complaint. Usually there are two reasons: economics and taste. The former is as rational as the latter is irrational. Lamenting them is like lamenting the weather. It does no good. Luckily, the Internet now provides a potential outlet for all. Unhappy about something? Blog about it!
Bozza has more connections and writing skills than most, so he's elevated a blog post into a book. Personally, I don't believe in explaining the merits of bands to others. Telling someone why they should like pears instead of apples is bound to be futile. But Bozza rolls out big guns to turn the irrational into the rational. He gives a brief, colorful bio of the band, a time-honored technique: making one care about the people in a story. He wheels in professors from the Berklee College of Music to vouch for AC/DC's musical talent. He enlists celebrities like Tommy Lee and Slash to plug the band.
He didn't need to go to such lengths. Bozza is insightful and concise, one of the best music writers I've read. He matter-of-factly explains the AC/DC phenomenon: the band is popular because (a) it is good at what it does, and (b) what it does has an integrity that resonates with people. AC/DC fans already know these things. Bozza's achievement is articulating them persuasively for those who have to be persuaded to like music.
Still, the book is worthwhile for AC/DC fans. Few writers have been this succinct and accurate about the band. (For a succinct and inaccurate one, see Robert Christgau.) Angus Young's technique comes from his banjo background. Phil Rudd is irreplaceable because of his feel. Bon Scott's allure came from the fact that he lived his lyrics. And so on. Fans know these things on a gut level. For example, Rudd's entrance on "Live Wire" is one of the most satisfying sounds I've ever heard. Bozza translates it elegantly to the page. Like his subject matter, his architecture is worth dancing to.
Buy:
Amazon
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You can browse excerpts from the book here.
In conjunction with the publisher, we are giving away five copies of this book. For a chance to win, write a short statement (up to 200 words) on why AC/DC matters to you. Submit it in the comments box by midnight EST this Thursday, 11/5. I will select five favorites as winners and announce them this Friday 11/6. International entrants are welcome.
9 Comments:
Cosmo,
AC/DC matters as a basis for all aggressive music. Much more than Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, who are also often quoted as forefathers of Heavy Metal, AC/DC (and Mötörhead) really attracted the rowdy crowd back then.
While I'm too young to have been part of the rowdyness then, I was just old enough to have been shocked when Bon Scott died and lucky enough to have seen the Back In Black-tour when I was 11 years old in 1980! (Note: our parents had no idea whatsoever what they had allowed) I have seen many concerts since then but that one still holds a very special place in my heart (grim and frostbitten of course). Never since have I been at a show like that which was basically a huge fistfight and shoving contest. Not even a Slayer show comes close.
Fond memories indeed!
I lost my virginity to a biker chick, on a bed with an American flag draped head board.The record(yep it was the 80's still and vinyl ruled)playing was High Voltage.I probably wouldn't have even remembered this detail but when we were done we smoked a j and The Jack was playing.Everything seemed right in the world in that moment and that song has always taken me back to that moment in 1988.I cant think of any song that i would rather have been playing.Thank you AC/DC.Thank you.
Two reasons: 1)because I scared numerous people in Japan and the Philippines doing "Highway to Hell" karoake and 2) I damn near put my foot through the floorboard anytime "Let There Be Rock" comes on!
AC/DC matters?
AC/DC was the first band I could recognize on the radio. Not necessarily my favorite band, but always in the top 5. A friend from years ago still sends emails with the subject line as an AC/DC lyric - I always know the email's from him regardless of the email address it comes from.
I fucking hate Australians but i'm paying an inordinate sum of money to watch 5 of them play rock 'n roll here in New Zealand in January.
I understood the premise more as "why AC/DC are still relevant" not "why you should start liking AC/DC". One could argue either is a futile endeavor for different reasons, but I do share the writers sentiment that bands like AC/DC or Motorhead are often dismissed by people taken with the always new, and that's a real shame. I don't think their position is a well-thought out one, more of a reflex, and if it takes a couple of books for just of them to think it over, then that's fine.
Has anyone seen the Backtracks box set that just came out? Tons of rare and unreleased stuff packaged in a working guitar amplifier. Let there be rock, indeed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2-PCqKXjb8
That box set looks incredible. Thanks for sharing, Matt.
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