Recently we ran an early-days clip of U2 when the band were hardly recognizable as what they would become. Here’s another – of AC/DC – from 1976 on Australian TV, though the band isn’t so much unrecognizable as just kinda funny.
Particularly striking is a manic Angus Young, already attired in his signature school-boy outfit.
And the Bandstand dancers.
Another unexpected side of the band that would go on to bring us such subtle numbers as “Highway to Hell,” “Hell’s Bells,” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” emerges when singer Bon Scott (fun fact: his real name was Ronald) shockingly breaks out a bagpipe, prompting a rare, yet intoxicating call-and-response with the band’s customary assault of electric guitars.
Originally released in 1975 on the Aussie band’s second album, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll)” became a signature song for Scott, but after his untimely death in 1980, the band out stopped performing it live out of respect.
Nevertheless, in 2001, after a long road, it made it to the top, being named the best Australian song of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA).
Lyrics
Ridin’ down the highway, goin’ to a show
Stop in all the byways, playin’ rock ‘n’ roll
Gettin’ robbed, gettin’ stoned, gettin’ beat up
Broken boned, gettin’ had, gettin’ took
I tell you folks it’s harder than it looks
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
If you think it’s easy doin’ one night stands
Try playin’ in a rock roll band
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
Hotel motel, make you wanna cry
Lady do the hard sell know the reason why
Gettin’ old, gettin’ gray, gettin’ ripped off
Under-paid, gettin’ sold, second hand
That’s how it goes playin’ in a band
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it’s rough and mean
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
Well it’s a long way
It’s a long way, you should’ve told me
It’s a long way, such a long way
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