Customer Reviews

AC/DC: Maximum Rock & Roll: The Ultimate Story of the World's Greatest Rock-and-Roll Band

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have every AC/DC book ever published and this is probaly the most informative of them all. I'm a self confesed AC/DC FREAK and I 've read things in here that I never knew. One of the things I like about this book is the interviews with people that were in bands with Angus and Malcolm before they were in AC/DC. Some of the pictures in this book are rare. I like the one with Angus and Malcolm when they were kids on a rocking horse.. Also the pics of Bon and Brian when they young and the picture of Angus with Tantrum. Anyways, I would highly recomend this for every AC/DC fan out there.. Long Live AC/DC!!

First off, AC/DC are my favorite band and have been for years. It took me some time to get around to reading this because it's unauthorized and the band are notoriously mum about what goes on behind the scenes. Still, other reviews gave this high marks, so I gave it a shot.

It's unclear to me at whom this book is aimed. It's a bit maddening because for someone to undertake a read of this size, they would most likely already be an established fan of the band. Therefore, a book that undertakes the history of AC/DC to this level of detail should deliver some new information, impressions, stories, themes, etc., that an existing fan might appreciate. Instead, it reads like an end-to-end string of Wikipedia articles, devoid of any personality, irony, or passion. Where the book falls short therefore, is in its dry exploration of facts that are well-known to most AC/DC fans. Some AC/DC fans will pick up a few bits of new info here and there, but for the most part, this is a clinical history of the band, interspersed with harmless anecdotes that don't give any new insight into the personality of the musicians.

Every once in awhile, the authors will hint at something interesting, or some insightful behind-the-scenes info, but they never deliver. They gloss over Phil Rudd's departure by simply mentioning there was an unspecified problem between him and an unnamed person in "the Youngs circle." Or halfway through the book, a point is made that Angus and Malcolm had a fiery relationship that wasn't always civil during the creative process. But he doesn't expound on how or why that tension existed. It is implied that Bon and possibly other members of the band battled substance abuse, which might have given a new depth to appreciating some of the lyrics and/or stories behind the records. However, such information is withheld or ignored. This is not to say that the book would be improved by the inclusion of lurid and embarrassing stories about the band. Quite the opposite, a respectful examination of such themes and events could deliver a stunning new appreciation of musicians of such high caliber.

For those readers who enjoyed the likes of rock biographies such as "No One Here Gets Out Alive," (Jim Morrison and The Doors), "Hammer of the Gods" (Led Zeppelin), or "The Dirt" (Motley Crue), due to the endless tales of drugs, sex, drugs, sex, drugs, sex, drugs and rock and roll, you will be disappointed. There is none of that here.

For those readers who are looking for a more respectful consideration of the band, this book will be overkill. Find a Mojo, Uncut, or Classic Rock magazine that has done a comprehensive piece on AC/DC and you will be just as satisfied.

I left this book feeling slightly more informed, but without much additional understanding or appreciation of AC/DC.

It'd be too easy to capitalize on the alleged mentality of an AC/DC fan's inabilitiy to actually read a book. That would be a joke on the snot nosed critics who used to delight in trashing the band only to be forced to deal with the fact that they have perservered over 30 years. Unlike flavors of the month, fashion statements rather than musicians and ditzy pop divas who die quick deaths after one or two years, hard rock and metal music enjoys life spans much longer thanks to love of the music and a sharp focus.
That focus is never more clear than with AC/DC, whom, as we read in "Maximum Rock And Roll" are far more complex, intelligent and talented than many folks realize or care to admit.
This book is a labor of love. Detractors and enemies need not waste their time. For those who value this gutsy loud great rock and roll band (they are NOT metal), the book is a great read, giving U.S. fans particularly a first hand look at the Australian rock culture and the trials and trevails of the Young brothers as they climb to the top, lose their charismatic singer Bon Scott, and then come back even more ferociously with the legendary "Back In Black".
Readers will have to accustom themselves to the British print, slang and puncuation, but that's a small point. The book is not just a definitive look into AC/DC, but one of the better books on any band or musician in quite some time. Listen to "Powerage" at migraine level while you read.

At last, a very well written publication about AC/DC. It is highly informative & presented in easy to read language & format. It avoids regurgitating the now old & discredited myths & rumours about the band and instead provides an interesting analysis of the history and music of AC/DC and its musicians. It takes the reader on a well researched journey through 30+ years with the band. Thankfully, authors, Engleheart & Durieux, have taken great care to get the facts straight & have shown a particular undertanding & knowledge of the band's early history in Australia, their influences & the history of the Australian music scene. The photos are well selected & an added bonus. It is a book for fans who want fact rather than glitz.

I would recommend that this book be read in conjunction with Clinton Walker's book "Highway To Hell: The Life & Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott".

Being an Aussie, I grew up with AC/DC. I even remember seeing them on Countdown for the first time in '76 when I was a little kid. I bought this book recently to help fill in the gaps as far as what I knew about their career and what made them tick as a band.

This book is a fantastic read all the way through to Bon's unfortunate death, the recruitment of Brian Johnson and the recording of Back In Black. Up to this point, it is a very detailed, behind the scenes account with great insight into the character and motivations of the band members.

The only criticism I can make of the first half is that the book doesn't really address exactly what makes AC/DC's music tick. Apart from stating that Bon was a unique vocalist, Malcolm is a great rhythm guitarist, Angus is an exciting lead guitarist, and Phil Rudd is a solid time keeper, there is no deeper analysis. Sure the book mentions that Malcolm always pushed to keep things simple and swinging, but I was hoping for a deeper understanding of their approach to writing, arranging and recording. For example, why do Ac/Dc's guitars sound so much more present, toneful, and lifelike than most other bands? What sets their rhythmic approach apart from other bands? Why does "simple & swinging" sound so good, and as such why is Ac/Dc pretty much alone in using this template?

Unfortunatley, after Back In Black it seems as if a totally different author takes over. This second half is nothing like the first. It seems the author was lazy, conducted few interviews and simply relied on generic previously published information to chronicle AC/DC's career from Those About To Rock to Stiff Upper Lip and beyond. Gone is the behind the scenes feel of the first half, being replaced with nothing more interesting than a by the numbers recording chronology and tour itinerary.

There are many questions that should be addressed but were glossed over or avoided completely.

For example: What really caused the slide in the quality of Ac/Dc's records during the mid '80's and how did they get some mojo back for Razor's Edge? How much of a factor was Malcolm's alcoholism in this slide? What really happened to cause Phil Rudd to leave the band? Did Brian Johnson's declining vocal ability ever become an issue within the band (something not even mentioned in the book)? How did Ac/Dc members feel and react to the band's linking in the media to the Ramirez Night Stalker murders, demonisation by the church, and Tippy Gore's senate enquiry?

Overall I reckon the book is fantastic for the first half, delivering great insight and new information. However, the Brian Johnson era is perfunctory at best. You aren't going to learn anything about the BJ era from this book that you don't already know or could easily read on the internet.

Having become an AC/DC obsessive back in the late 70s/early 80's, I've eagerly devoured anything and everything I could find about the
band's colorful history and although some due credit must be given to a handful of prior attempts, nothing realy comes close to the caliber
of this new effort. Having read it twice now in the past few weeks, I'd have to say I've absorbed more credible and accurate history
than I've garnished from all other sources combined. Kudos to authors Engleheart and Durieux, a true labor of love.

With a thorough foundation laid for the Australian music scence in the late 60's/early 70s, the book takes the reader back to the bands
inception with perhaps the most colorful and accurate representation of what it must have been like during those early days of infancy.
Early photos of Malcolm and Angus in bands prior to AC/DC are classic and until now, unseen.

Unlike most other texts on the subject, the book avoids the rumor and innuendo surrounding Bon's death in early 80 and instead provides
a stark and somber look at those troubled days as the band struggled to rebound from the tragedy.

Without the usual bias for or against Brian, the text continues on with an extensive history of AC/DC's then-new frontman with the band as they
continued on to conquer the world with Back In Black and FTATR and onwards though the decades

If You want Blood, This Is It. Hands down, its the best book out there.

I discovered AC/DC back in college (circa 1988). Since then I've gotten all their albums and done a fair bit of reading on the group. Maximum Rock N'Roll (to this point) is the most in-depth look at the group that I've come across.

The book checks in at 460+ pages with numerous black & white and color photos to liven up sections. There's some excellent pictures of old backstage passes, concert flyers, etc... to remind you of just how long the members of AC/DC have been rocking and rolling. The authors deliver a solid rundown of the band's history and albums are covered in each chapter taking us from High Voltage all the way to Stuff Upper Lip.

In reading other reviews I do notice many people wonder why the band's personal lives have been glossed over at points to focus more on the music. My first understanding upon reading is that not every band has as many demons as say Motley Crue or Guns N Roses so perhaps the home lives of lazy Brian or tea-totaling Angus aren't all that exciting compared to the concerts and albums. This is evident in that 65% of the book chronicles the band's early years and the colorful life of Bon Scott (clearly more of a character 24/7 than Brian Johnson) than their post 1980 years.

All I know is while reading the book I had the desire to listen to my iPod's in-depth collection of DC songs...LOUD. This book is an informative read and will make you WANT to listen and appreciate the solid rock and roll from the Thunder from Down Under for quite some time!

At last,a professionally done book on one of the World's Greatest Bands!There have been several books done previously,but none have been crafted this well.You can tell that this is the work of true professionals simply by the look of the book.Not only is it a thick hardcover,but the way the text is designed is very professional as well.I'm sure that this is the definitive biography of AC/DC and one that the band themselves are proud of.I really hope that there's a good sized market out there for this book.It seems to me nowadays that AC/DC appeals mainly to teenagers who probably wouldn't be interested in reading about them.Some people might say that their appeal to teens is because their music is simplistic and not appreciated by more mature people,but I'd like to think it's because they really did craft timeless rock and it's great that they're still popular among young people.I'm 37 and AC/DC's music will never lose it's appeal to me.Despite their international success,it seems too often that they've gotten too little respect over the years and it's nice to see a book that finally takes them seriously.I'm so glad that I own a copy.

After reading a lot of Books about AC/DC in the long time I have been a fan of the Band this book is just the Best! It features a lot of almost unknown informations and puts a lot of light into some rumors and storys about the Band which afterwards are prooven now as missinterpretations ore just wrong informations from to enthusiastic music writers before!!!!
Again for those who love the real story behind the Band the Best way to concentrate the basic infos on so less space as on one book- just Excellent and highly recommended instead of so many other releases who just repeat the almost wellknown details!!!!

Foxi from Germany

This is by far the most detailed account of AC/DC I've read yet. Other books may have a tid bit or two not found here, but this is the whole story. Memories from family, friends, band members, former band members, and just about anyone and everyone of relevance. An extremely well written, fascinating, hard to put down biography of this band so many of us love. If you want to know the AC/DC story, this is the place to start. This will also open up the little known world (at least to most outsiders)of '60's and '70's Australian rock.

This covers the Youngs' impoverished beginnings in Scotland and their reasons for immigration to Australia. All about older brother George's successful band The Easybeats, how his hard learned leasons in the music business and his backing were keys to the success of younger siblings Malcolm and Angus. All about everyone who ever played in the band, Bon Scott's fascinating history and past bands, and just about anything you could want to know. The earliest days of the band, the chanding line ups, the gigs, and of course the recording sessions that produced that killer rock'n'roll that changed the world of music. There's the stories of the debauchery and partying, in which Angus seldom participated, prefering to eat choclate, drink tea and practice on his guitar. Of course Brian Johnson is covered in detail as well, though you will find less detail on the later years of this group, which may disappoint some..

The only weakness is the coverage of the death of Bon Scott. While Bon's partying is of course a part of the story, it seems toned down in places, and certainly on his last night alive. While mentioning the fact that he'd been partying with members of UK rock band UFO (who had toured and got along well with the guys in AC/DC), the authors here fail to mention a credible version of events. Phil Mogg hasn't said much (he usually doesn't). Pete Way has mentioned doing smack around Bon, but hasn't said anything about that night. Guitarist Paul Chapman , however, has insisted Heroin was involved the night Bon died. Smack and liquor can be a very lethal mixture. In any case, I felt they should have mentioned the story, and either debunked it or let it stand. Yet another rock & roll death we'll probably never know the full story on. The real point is, of course, that it was a tragic waste, and Bon was just beginning to see all those years of hard work pay off. I know he was totally unique, and I still miss him tremendously. I have nothing but respect for Brian Johnson, and he's a great guy, but it's never been the same for me.

Any faults are minor. This is a fantastic book and worth every penny. A must read for AC/DC fans, and should hold the attention of anyone interested in rock music and in particular the history and development of that genre in Australia. You can't go wrong with this one.