Malcolm Young (AC/DC)

It is with a heavy heart that I write this.

AC/DC, particularly, Malcolm Young, have been so inspirational for me throughout my life.

I remember being a spotty 14-year-old kid at a local disco. For weeks I listened to Anita Ward, "Ring My Bell", Olivia Newton-John, the Bee Gees, and other disco-type songs that just didn't cut the mustard for me.

I was waiting for something that I could tap my foot to. The DJ then spun a disc. 'Na-na-na-na-na-na-na.' I didn't have to wait to hear the lyrics, the intro was enough. "A Whole Lotta Rosie", off the album, "Let There Be Rock" reeled me in, so much so that I joined a small circle of dandruff-shakers in the middle of the dancefloor.

The rest, as they say, is history.

I went home and listened to the album that, unbeknownst to me, had been purchased by my elder sister.

It was 1978 and AC/DC had been kicking ass for a number of years. Armed with pocket money that I saved I headed toward Birmingham city centre some weeks later and purchased 'Powerage', an AC/DC classic that, to me at least, has never been bettered...by any band.

Nothing but AC/DC for me.

My first live experience was 1979. AC/DC played Stafford Bingley Hall. I was down the front, I even got the thumbs up from Bon. Months later they played the Birmingham Odeon, a gig where they brought on strippers for the song, "The Jack."

I saw them religiously every time they toured and have been lucky enough to appear as an extra in two of their videos (Are You Ready and Rock Or Bust)

Malcolm was the nuts and bolts of AC/DC. I've always said, Malcolm is one of the best guitarists in the world, I've even put his guitar abilities ahead of Angus.

Yeh, in those early days I always watched Angus on stage but later I always turned my attention to Malcolm. Standing at the back, to the left as I looked at them. Occasionally moving forward for harmonies and backing vocals...then returning to his spot for more foot-stomping riffs.

He'd been ill for some time. Dementia had caught up with him along with other illnesses that the band and family kept 'in-house'.

Inevitability doesn't make life any easier and although Malcolm and I never met in person, today's news is still hard to accept. His riffs put a fire in my belly and helped me many times during my darkest hours of battling through Seroxat addiction.

He was the riff master, he always will be.

Rest in peace, you fucking legend!

Bob Fiddaman

Rock or Bust - AC/DC New Album

Regular readers, family and friends will know that I'm an AC/DC nut.

Speculation has been rife regarding the name of their new album, rumours have been flying around, which is customary for AC/DC.

However, it's now official.

Today they announced the name and release of their new album.

Rock or Bust was produced by Brendan O’Brien and will be released on 1 December. It will be the band’s first album not to feature Malcolm Young, whose role on the album has been taken on the record by his nephew Stevie.

AC/DC have also announced that founding member Malcolm will not be returning to AC/DC.

I first saw AC/DC in 1979, Stafford Bingley Hall - the ticket was just £4 and they were being supported by, a then unknown band, Def Leppard.

How times have changed.

According to various media sources the album features 11 new tracks, the first track from the album, "Play Ball", is to be revealed on September 27 on US TV channel TBS, in association with Major League Baseball.

Bob Fiddaman

Stevie Young Hooks Up with AC/DC in Vancouver

Stevie Young (right)

AC/DC are a huge part of my history, hence the reason I tend to post about them every now and again on this old blog of mine which is, in the main, a blog regarding the dangers of antidepressant medications.

A few weeks ago there was speculation surrounding the future of AC/DC after it was reported that Malcolm Young, rhythm guitarist, was too ill to continue playing.

Speculation has been rife regarding a replacement for Malcolm although it was pretty obvious, to myself and many hardcore Acca Dacca fans, that there could only be one replacement.

Stevie Young (nephew of Angus and Malcolm) stood in for Malcolm on AC/DC's 1988 tour of North America. At the time, Malcolm needed a rest.

Stevie, it appears, has now joined up with Angus and the rest of the band (minus Malcolm) in Vancouver where they will be entering the studio to record a new album.

I saw Stevie Young many years ago in Birmingham. The Starfighters, whom Stevie played rhythm guitar for, played a set at Romeo & Juliet's, a nightclub in Birmingham. I remember it well as the band distributed free singles at the end of the gig.

Late last night a photograph (above) was being circulated around the social media network sites that showed Angus and Stevie sitting together.

Brendan O’Brien, who produced AC/DC's 2008 album, Black Ice, will be producing AC/DC's new album.


Here's a taster of Stevie Young at work, ironically this is the single The Starfighters gave away when I saw them many years ago in Birmingham.

Good to see a Brummie living the dream.

Best of luck Stevie.

Latest news... **Rock or Bust - AC/DC New Album**

Related - AC/DC Legend Retires


Bob Fiddaman.

The Boss Plays the Music of His CEO's

Bruce Springsteen is da man, the guy richly deserves all the plaudits. He's known as "The Boss", and rightly so. His music has inspired many, his concerts have sold out across the world. He is, without doubt, the main man.

Imagine my deep joy when a good friend of mine, and massive Springsteen fan, Arun Bhanot, sent me a link to a video of Springsteen opening his show in Adelaide.

Springsteen has been touring Australia and opening up his shows with AC/DC's Highway To Hell. Most of you will know I am a huge fan of AC/DC. In fact, chapter one of my book is subtitled 'Highway To Hell'

So, why am I writing about Springsteen and AC/DC on a blog that is predominently about pharmaceutical companies and piss poor regulators? Well, because even I need a break from all this dark, seedy stuff.

Writing and researching about the death of someone kinda takes its toll... so allow me to indulge.

Here's Springsteen covering AC/DC's Highway To Hell.

For Bon

AC/DC are set to hit the studio in May this year to record a new album. A 40 date tour will follow shortly after [source]


Bob Fiddaman

AC/DC - My First Love

Everyone and anyone that knows me will tell you that I am an AC/DC nut. They'd be right.

I first heard them in 1978. I was at the local youth club disco and listening to the usual disco stuff, some Mud, Slade and Sweet being thrown in for the glam rock fans. Then, BAM! I heard them. Little did I know that they would have such a profound effect on me, one that I still carry today, some 36 years later.

Whole Lotta Rosie [1] from the Let There Be Rock album was the first song I heard. My leg just started moving along to the rhythm, worse case of restless leg syndrome anyone would ever likely encounter.

[1] Whole Lotta Rosie

From that point I was hooked. I saved and purchased my first AC/DC album, Powerage.  It was played to death, quite literally as I had to go out and purchase another copy some years later.

Powerage, for me, and many other hardcore AC/DC fans, stands out there as one of the finest rock n' roll albums ever recorded. It still stands up today. For me, Gone Shootin' [2] pretty much defines what AC/DC are all about - the groove.

[2] Gone Shootin'

The back catalogue was purchased and a year later I was rushing to HMV for their new release, Highway To Hell. They didn't disappoint. It's a work of art that sees the then vocalist, Bon Scott, belt out songs that would later become classics, still being used on AC/DC's set list today. For me, Night Prowler [3] is one of the most underrated songs on the album, to my knowledge AC/DC have never performed this live. Night Prowler has quite a history, Google "Richard Ramirez + AC/DC" to get the back story. Night Prowler is dark, it's bluesy, it's pure genius.

[3] Night Prowler

So, why am I writing about AC/DC on a blog that essentially takes a critical look at the pharmaceutical industry and medicine regulators?

Well, because I want to is the simple answer.

AC/DC have been, and still are, a huge part of my life, they are my natural antidepressant, better still, one doesn't endure side effects when listening to AC/DC.

Bon Scott [AC/DC vocalist 1975 - 1979] tragically died in 1980. I've been lucky enough to visit his birth place, Kirriemuir, Scotland, and his place of rest, Freemantle, Perth W. Austraila.

AC/DC, thankfully, continued and soon found a replacement vocalist in Brian Johnson.

Johnson had had previous chart topping success in the UK with Geordie, their most successful single release being All Because Of You which entered the top 10 in the UK charts.

Being an AC/DC fan has its downside. The years between studio albums can be tedious. They keep themselves to themselves and rarely do interviews [unless they are promoting a tour or album].

They've kept my interest going for 36 years, they are, without doubt, the finest rock n' roll band of all time.

They have given millions of people pleasure over those 36 years, one only has to look at the joy on the faces of the Argentinian fans in the video below [4]

I thought I'd just mention them before my blog hits one million views. They helped shape me into the person I am today.

I salute them.

[4] You Shook Me All Night Long

Who needs medicating when you have five guys who can rock like these guys? 

Watching AC/DC perform live isn't just about witnessing the best rock n' roll band on the planet, it's a spiritual experience.

Better than any mind altering drug.

Bob Fiddaman