AC/DC are a rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. Although the band is considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, its members have always classified their music as "rock 'n' roll.” They released their first album, High Voltage, in 1975.
Membership remained stable until bassist Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans in 1977. In 1979, the band recorded their highly successful album Highway to Hell. Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their best selling album, Back in Black. The band's next album, For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), was also very successful and was their first album to reach number one in the United States.
AC/DC declined in popularity soon after the departure of drummer Phil Rudd in 1983. Poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ball Breaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well received by critics. A new album was announced in 2004 and is expected in late 2008.
AC/DC have sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide, including 68 million albums in the US. Back in Black has sold an estimated 42 million units worldwide and 22 million in the US alone, making it the fifth highest-selling album ever in the US. The band ranked fourth on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock,” and the seventh "Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time" by MTV.