Highway to Hell ... in Clearwater?
Hall of Fame hard-rockers
AC/DC will probably never play an intimate venue like Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall, but next month, you can get the next-closest thing.
Lead singer Brian Johnson and bassist Cliff Williams are headlining a charity show on July 3 called "Classic Rock Cares." The concert will benefit the John Entwhistle Foundation, which provides free music education and instruments to underprivileged children. Johnson and Williams are expected to play several of the band's hits along with some solo material.
Other featured performers include Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow and Steve Luongo of The John Entwhistle Band. An all-star band -- including Johnson and Williams -- will will jump on stage for one of AC/DC's signature hits, "Highway to Hell," the finale to the night's concert.
Tickets are $39.75 and $75 and more information is available at Ruth Eckerd Hall's website. In addition to the concert, signed artist memorabilia will be sold via a silent auction.
If I could only hear five AC/DC songs, I'd choose these:
- Highway to Hell: "I'm on my way to the promise land"
- Thunderstruck: "The thunder of guns tore me apart"
- Whole Lotta Rosie: "Ain't no fairy story. Ain't no skin-and-bones"
- You Shook Me All Night Long: "Walking double time on the seduction line"
- 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"
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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Best thing about "Long Way to the Top if you Wanna Rock and Roll?": The Bagpipe solo!
Posted by: chase | June 19, 2007 at 09:23 AM
It's a Long Way to the Top is now forever associated with Jack Black and School of Rock in my mind. That movie was genius. And aww... AC/DC is so totally cute!!! What can I say-I'm a sucker for rockers in shorts.
I've only recently discovered old school-hard rock/metal bands (along with the fact that I enjoyed that type of music) and AC/DC tops my list, tying with Judas Priest. They're awesome.
Posted by: Marie-Elaine | June 19, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Hey Steve,
Too bad you picked Whole Lotta Rosie, and You shook me all night long, easily two of the most annoying and overplayed AC/DC songs. I'd even rather listen to "Who Made Who". Instead, how about the track "Rock N' Roll Damnation" instead? Trust me, only a band like this could make clap tracks cool, and Powerage is one heck of an album. Or "Hells Bells", if you must go to the Brian Johnson era, since they bring out a huge, and I do mean huge bell for Brian to "dong" during their concerts. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Al | June 19, 2007 at 12:48 PM
I've never been a fan of either "Rock N Roll Damnation" or "Hells Bells."
But if I picked a couple different songs, I'd go with "Problem Child" or "TNT".
Posted by: Spears | June 19, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Okay, somebody's got to say it..what about "Big Balls?"
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | June 19, 2007 at 02:15 PM
actually a better choice would be, "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", but it is not nearly as laffalicious as "Big Balls".
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | June 19, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Big Balls? That would be hilarious live. Brian could "dong" together two huge brass balls instead of the Hells Bell? Brilliant!
Posted by: Al | June 19, 2007 at 03:41 PM
For all you AC/DC fans, Highway to Hell is playing tonight (Friday the 29th) at Bourbon Street in New Port Richey. Cover is $12. See you there !!!!!
Posted by: Liz | June 29, 2007 at 10:22 AM