Carnival of Soul

AC/DC’s Back in Black is an album born out of tragedy. It very nearly didn’t exist at all, yet it went on to become a classic rock touchstone and one of the bestselling albums of all time, marking a creative and commercial zenith in the band’s discography. Now, the Australian rockers’ seminal 1980 record holds the distinction of being just the third studio album in history to be certified 25x platinum by the RIAA.

At the dawn of the ‘80s, AC/DC were riding high on the success of 1979’s Highway to Hell, which became their global breakthrough and granted them their first platinum album in the United States. But their plans for a follow-up album were cut short when lead singer Bon Scott died on Feb. 19, 1980 after choking to death on his own vomit. (The official cause of death on his death certificate was listed as “acute alcoholic poisoning.”) Scott’s bandmates immediately began auditioning for a new singer, and less than six weeks later, they hired English singer Brian Johnson of glam rock band Geordie.

AC/DC wrote and recorded Back in Black over the course of two months and released the album on July 25, 1980—almost a year to the day since releasing Highway to Hell. It became an instant global success, topping the U.K. Albums chart and peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, while spawning the hit singles “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Hells Bells” and the title track. Its follow-up album, 1981’s For Those About to Rock We Salute You, topped the Billboard 200. Back in Black became an epochal hard rock album, and its ensuing world tour solidified AC/DC’s status as one of the biggest bands in the world—a status that endures today, as the group still packs stadiums around the globe.

Back in Black is just the third studio album in history to earn a 25x platinum certification, joining the ranks of Michael Jackson’s Thriller (33x platinum) and the Eagles’ Hotel California (26x platinum). (The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) still holds the overall crown at 38x platinum.) Back in Black’s last RIAA certification came in 2007, when it was certified 22x platinum. With its latest milestone, it leapfrogs over the Beatles’ White Album, Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II, Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV and Pink Floyd’s The Wall.

These days, AC/DC looks quite different than it did during the Back in Black era, as guitarist Angus Young is the only remaining original member. Johnson bowed out of the Rock or Bust Tour in March 2016 due to hearing issues, and Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose filled in for the remaining shows. However, Johnson is rumored to be rejoining the group along with drummer Phil Rudd for a new album that will reportedly include tracks from rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017. If that’s the case and a tour follows, AC/DC fans may get to see the musicians responsible for one of rock’s biggest and most beloved albums join forces yet again.

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