Brian Johnson – ‘The Lives of Brian’ – Book Review

Being a fan of AC/DC, this purchase was a no brainer. An autobiography of Brian Johnson, yes please! And the book didn’t disappoint, but it also wasn’t what I expected. The book takes place from basically birth up until his getting hired in to AC/DC and the ‘Back in Black’ album, but that is all the AC/DC you get. It stops there. It then does jump up to the time where he had to step away from the band for his hearing issues, but nothing in between as he is saving that for another book. I’ll buy that one too.

Usually, I find the childhood stuff a little tough to get through for most autobiographies, but I can’t say that here. I really enjoyed it. As Brian was born on October 5, 1947 in Dunston, England, you get a fantastic glimpse in to life in Post World War II in England. I know what life was like here in the States, but not so much in England. Is was interesting hearing about how hard things were during that time and it was really fascinating learning about day-to-day life. The book takes you through his school years and all the events that shaped who Brian Johnson, the man, is.

Brian’s humor also shows out nicely in his take on life and the stories are detailed and colorful as only Brian can describe. I loved learning about the housing, the cars and every day life. The Johnson’s were not a rich family, nope, they were quite poor. His mom was from Italy as that is where his dad met her during the war. The family lived with his grandparents for awhile and then finally got a house of their own. It is as miserable as it sounds, but for Brian it was normal and he seems fond of those times.

Continue reading “Brian Johnson – ‘The Lives of Brian’ – Book Review”

AC/DC – “Let’s Get It Up” – 7″ Single

At a local record show, I found this beauty from AC/DC. It is the U.S. single for their first single off “For Those About To Rock We Salute You” called “Let’s Get It Up”. Hmm…I wonder what this is about?? More on that later. The song never charted in the U.S., but in their home country of Australia, it went to #73 and the Swedes liked it the most as it went to #18 in their country.

The song is typical AC/DC filth, but I mean that in a loving way. “Let’s Get It Up” is about sailing the seven seas and remaining out at sea for a long time, but it also is about, well, getting an erection and keeping it up for a long time. As Brian Johnson said in Kerrang, it is “Filth, Pure Filth, We’re a Filthy band”…yep, that sums it up nicely.

There are two versions of the U.S. Single. One with a gray cannon, like the one I have, and one that has a black cannon. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I’m hunting next time. The B-Side is the same with “Snowballed” also from the album ‘For Those About To Rock We Salute You’.

Continue reading “AC/DC – “Let’s Get It Up” – 7″ Single”

You Picked It! – AC/DC – ‘Power Up’ (2020) – Album Review

Alright…You Picked It! And here it is. The one you picked was AC/DC’s Power Up.  The votes were as follows:

  1. AC/DC – ‘Power Up’ – 8 votes
  2. Janet Jackson – ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’ – 4 votes
  3. The White Stripes – ‘Elephant’ – 3 votes
  4. The Stooges – ‘The Stooges – 2 vote
  5. Oasis – ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ – 1 Vote

Thanks to all for participating.  The January choices will be up on Saturday!

AC/DC – ‘POWER UP’:

For a couple of years now, we have been teased with a brand new AC/DC album ever since those pictures leaked in 2018 of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams surfaced. Everyone was been crazy hoping for a new album with the core guys. Of course Angus is on it and Stevie Young holding his own on rhythm, but it was the fact that Brian and Phil and Cliff were back in the fold ready to play that had everyone excited. Me included which is strange because I hadn’t listened to much AC/DC past Razor’s Edge with maybe the exception of 2000’s Stiff Upper Lip, but it really has been 20-30 years since I really paid attention. Why was I so excited? I think it was 2020 that had me excited. As a surprise to know one, 2020 has been a strange and difficult year with lots of change and the fact we could get an iconic band with an iconic line-up to bring us a new album, AC/DC was just what we all needed.

Continue reading “You Picked It! – AC/DC – ‘Power Up’ (2020) – Album Review”