To dare question the might and majesty of AC/DC in Australia is to risk being pelted to death with empty bourbon bottles.
They are an iconic, much-loved band, titans of popular music. They are Australia’s most successful international act, for decades. Not just success: AC/DC has street cred as well. They have a lane-way in Melbourne named after them. Bon Scott, lead singer in the band’s glory years, has a bronze statue in Fremantle. People come to see it, and all. The hip and young as well as the plump, middle-aged and nostalgic love them.

Now. I am happy for AC/DC that they followed their dreams and made a lot of money and in course of doing so thrilled millions of fans. I am sad for Bon Scott that he drank himself to death. I remember when they burst onto the scene with “Long Way to the Top” and a surfie’s panel-van-full of other hits. I quite liked them then. But I was eight years old then. I have moved on.
Not that they need me. Their early records are valuable collectors’ items. I have this track only because it appeared on Explosive Hits ’75, one of those compilations the record companies used to put out each summer. This LP makes for strange listening now: Al Martino, the Bay City Rollers, Frankie Valli … and AC/DC! This is their take on the blues-rock classic “Baby Please Don’t Go”. Me, I think they make a meal out of it. A Jim Beam bottle flies overhead, shattering on the wall behind me. But this is Planet Vinyl. Ignore me, and just listen!
- Artist: AC/DC
- Album: Explosive Hits ’75 (compilation of various artists)
- Track: A6 “Baby Please Don’t Go”
- Format: 12”, 33⅓ rpm, vinyl
- Label: HMV
- Made in: Australia
- Catalogue: TVSS.19
- Year: 1975
3 replies on “Pelted with bourbon bottles”
I never knew “Baby please don’t go” at the time… But the singles from the TNT LP were all memorable, and I still enjoy them! A matter of taste…
But I take the deepest possible exception to the highly judgemental “bottle of Jim Bean” comments. Not only did you fail to specify an empty bottle, you made the major faux pas of brand misrecognition – it is an established and incontrovertible fact that Bon only drank Johnny Walker (or better), and his fans would never soil his memory by hurling lesser [empty] bottles at his detractors.
My outrage knows no depths. How dare you, sir!
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I would apologise profusely, but am unconscious with concussion.
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I abhor evasiveness. Whatever sordid activities you enjoy with your companion “concussion” are your own affair.
A genuine, sober and sincere (not to mention heartfelt) initial apology is your man here!
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