Whole Lotta AC/DC

I want to tell you a story
About a band I know.
Ahh.. Come to Rockin',
They steal the show.

It's hard to believe it took Rolling Stone magazine over 30 years to put this band on their cover, but it finally happened in November.

Big, loud and stupid, and offering no apologies, legendary rockers AC/DC stormed into Houston's Toyota Center on Sunday, 12/14. Rock School was back in session, and I took my peeps to the show. The ""thunder from down under" lived up to that name, blasting out Hell's Deci-bels louder than I'd ever heard in an arena big enough to hold 17,000.

And it was a sold-out show, too. I had to go to a scalper on this one, with most of the seats having been sold in the pre-show to fan-club members, very early on. Not expecting the band to be around much longer, I figured this would be my last chance, and the boys' only chance, to see them live. I bit the bullet, and the four of us got very good seats, anyway.

OK, so AC/DC has been making the same album over and over since the 1970's. What's your point? Yeah, I miss original crooner Bon Scott (RIP), but AC/DC is what it is. There aren't any surprises from this veteran band, but that can be a very good thing. No big hair, no big egos, just straight-ahead, foot-stomping rock and roll. As the boys would say, it's a long way to the top, and they're still there.

When a band that's been around as long as they have pick a setlist, the question isn't so much what to play as it is what to leave out. The must-haves were there. Back in Black, Hell's Bells, You Shook Me All Night Long, Highway to Hell, and For Those About to Rock, were all played, as expected. But new songs like Big Jack, and Black Ice were well received, despite the throngs that made their bathroom run during these numbers. Justin guessed that the new Rock and Roll Train might kick off the show, and he was right.

Speaking of guitar heroes, that Angus Young might look ridiculous as a 53 year-old geezer duck-walking around a stage, but's he's as good as ever. Note-for-note, spot-on solos. Brother Malcolm solidly handled the rhythm section, and all you need to hear are his vocals on Dirty Deeds to know from where this band gets their rock 'n roll spirit. The sound was awesome, too.

Kevin and Justin bobbed and bounced in time, and in approval. Even Lisa found the show "enjoyable," and she's never been a fan.

That's all for this class, but Lisa and I have been doing our homework. Join us for our next rock and roll lesson in March, because we've got tickets for the Pretenders.

See photos of AC/DC from the Houston show here.