Atlantic Records Bio's of band members
Here's biographies of the band members that Atlantic printed in music books published in the 1979/1980 timeframe. These are from the record company, so take them with a grain of salt:
Angus Young:
Born March 31, 1959 [note: see item "Angus' Age"]
(Aries the Ram) in Glasgow, Scotland. Angus and his brother Malcolm
co-founded AC/DC almost ten years ago. On stage Angus still wears his
schoolboy uniform (shorts and striped socks included), while playing
a superb electric guitar. He's especially well known for his vivid
onstage mannerisms - he won't miss a note while roaming, falling,
kicking, running, writhing, and sweating...a complete showman! Angus
co-authors all of AC/DC's music with Malcolm and Bon.
Bon Scott:
Born July 9, 1946 (Cancer the Crab) in Kirrimuir, Scotland.
Ronald Belford Scott, the prolific writer of AC/DC's lyrics, had been
with various rock and R&B groups as singer/drummer before joining AC/DC.
In addition to playing, Bon worked as a chauffeur for other groups. It
was in this later capacity that he first met the other members of AC/DC,
who felt he sang better than he drove! Bon is responsible for touching
our hearts with such tributes as "The Jack" and "Whole Lotta Rosie" while
developing into one of the best frontmen in rock.
Malcolm Young:
Born January 9, 1953 (Capricorn the Goat) in Glasgow.
Often called the innovator and "brains" behind AC/DC, Malcolm plays
airtight powerchord rhythm guitar. The other band members have nicknamed
him "Riffmaker", since his writing talent has been largely credited with
supplying AC/DC with its inimitable, intense sound. Malcolm played with
several bands in Sydney (the family having emigrated to Australia) while
waiting quite literally - for Angus to finish school so they could form
their band.
Phil Rudd:
Born May 19, 1954 (Taurus the Bull) in Melbourne, Australia.
Phil releases his tensions by drumming. He received his early musical
training in local Melbourne bands before taking up with AC/DC. Phil is
also car-crazy, and he holds various certificates from England's Brand
Hatch race track. His obsessions with automobiles extends to driving the
band around when on tour, and he even carries a portable electric road-
racing set with him (which has been set up in Holiday Inns across the
globe). "Driving" also describes Phil's drumming, and his expert stickwork
provides the rhythmic backbone for AC/DC.
Cliff Williams:
Born December 14, 1949 (Sagitarius the Archer) in Romford,
England. Cliff is the newest member of AC/DC. He was chosen over 50 other
bass players at auditions held in London last year. In the past he has
performed with such British groups as Home and Bandit. Angus says he was
selected not for his musical ability, but because his good looks would be
sure to bring in women - a pastime the entire band shares enthusiastically.
Brian Johnson:
Born October 5, 1947 (Libra the Balance) in Newcastle,
England. Brian, formerly of the English 70's rock band Geordie, fits
comfortably into the group as its lead vocalist and newest member. His
Northeastern England accent, wild humor and cap are already trademarks,
along with his heavy, raw edged vocals to which the crowds have given
rousing approval.
