Great Metal Albums of 1979: AC/DC- Highway to Hell

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get another post out before the weekend, but fortunately, as schools in the UK break up for half term on Friday, there isn’t a need for supply teachers. Therefore, I am able to bring you that album that consciously influenced my decision to join the ranks of heavy metal. “Highway to Hell” was the album that basically ended the seventies and opened up the door to the eighties for me and I’ve been eternally grateful ever since.

For me, the title track alone would make this album but the other songs lift it up to a place where you need the Hubble Telescope to see it. Those hard rocking riffs just set my head to bobbing and I just can’t stop it. While, I can go on forever about the first song, the album in no way loses anything with the nine other songs. “Touch Too Much” is a brilliant headbanger and with “Beating Around the Bush,” there has been no other lead-rhythm guitar combination that has been performed better than the way the Young Brothers do it on this song. Then, there is the amusing lyrics on “Walk All Over You.” Many times in the company of a lady, I have thought or even told her, “You look so good under me.” Of course, I have also experienced the lyrics in the song “Shot Down in Flames.”

Track Listing:

1. Highway to Hell

2. Girls Got Rhythm

3. Walk All Over You

4. Touch Too Much

5. Beating Around the Bush

6. Shot Down In Flames

7. Get it Hot

8. If You Want Blood (You Got It)

9. Love Hungry Man

10. Night Prowler

AC/DC

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

As I said before, originally I was going to wait until the end of my journey through 1979 to visit this album, but with Hell’s Bells coming to town this weekend, I thought it appropriate to visit it now. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how Hell’s Bells are in the next post and if they continue to be note perfect. If there is any album to get me into the mood for the night, it would be “Highway to Hell.” This for me, kicked my ass into the 80s.

Next post: Ted Nugent- State of Shock

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

FFI on Hell’s Bells, go to http://www.hellsbell.info