Flashback: Highway to Hell released 30 years ago
On this day on August 3, 1979 - Highway to Hell was released. Highway to Hell is the sixth studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, it is also AC/DC's fifth international studio album. It was the last album featuring Bon Scott, who died early the following year from over-consumption of alcohol.
It was originally released by Albert Productions, who licensed the album to Atlantic Records for release outside of Australia, and was then re-released by Epic Records in 2003 as part of the AC/DC Remasters series. On May 25th 2006, Highway to Hell was certified 7x platinum by the RIAA. In 2003, the album was ranked number 199 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Highway to Hell is the last AC/DC album recorded with lead vocalist Bon Scott before his death in February 1980. The final words spoken by Scott on the album are "Shazbot, na-nu na-nu," phrases used on the then-popular American sitcom, Mork and Mindy, by lead character Mork (a visiting extraterrestrial played by Robin Williams).
Highway to Hell was the first AC/DC album not produced by Harry Vanda and George Young. Pre-production of the album began in January 1979 with demos cut at Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia, where they met the intended producer, Eddie Kramer. Kramer was fired before a single track had been completed, and Robert John "Mutt" Lange was brought in to replace him. The change proved to be fortuitous, with Lange also producing the band's biggest sellers, Back in Black and For Those About to Rock We Salute You. The album was recorded during sessions in February 1979 at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida and March-April at Roundhouse Studios in London, England.
In Australia, Highway to Hell was released with a slightly different album cover, featuring flames and a drawing of a bass guitar neck superimposed over the same group photo used on the international cover. Additionally, the East German release had different and much plainer designs on the front and back, apparently because the authorities were not happy with the sleeve as released elsewhere.
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May 23, 2012 (3:06 pm) AC/DC's Iron Man 2 Certified 'Gold' in the US Been a fan of AC/DC for sooooo long. Can't wait to bring my 16 year old to one of your concerts, your his favorite band too. Don't forget Atla...
May 20, 2012 (12:53 am) AC/DC confirm new tour being planned acdc is the best band please dont for get portland , oregon
May 4, 2012 (9:31 am) Angus Young confirms AC/DC are working on a new album yes!!bigger and better ! i repit come to Brazil!and come to São Paulo i'm waiting for you Angus!