Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesAC/DC wraps up its current tour Tuesday night at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. But is it Hell’s Bells for the legendary Australian rockers. If it is, indeed, their farewell show, lead guitarist and co-founder Angus Young isn’t showing it. In a video on the band’s YouTube channel, he talks in general about what music means to him.
“For me, music is probably my world, y’know,” he says. “It’s what I know. I never take things for granted. I like to go and do my piece and hope they like it.”
Young, 61, the manic figure in the schoolboy costume, sounds as if has the stamina to keep going: “Over the years, you can pace yourself. Maybe I’m lucky — I always kind of get a second and third wind. Sometimes I do not know where it comes from myself. Sometimes I look and I feel [tired], and then, out of the blue, I play a bit of music and then I go, ‘Oooh. What am I doing?’ And I’ve moved from one end of the stage to the other.”
AC/DC has been through two years of upheaval since its latest album, Rock or Bust. Angus’ brother Malcolm, with whom he formed the band in 1983, was forced to retire due to dementia. In November 2014, drummer Phil Rudd had to step aside to face myriad legal troubles. This past spring, singer Brian Johnson departed due to hearing problems, forcing them to reschedule several tour dates. And in July, bassist Cliff Williams announced that he plans to retire at the tour’s end.
Axl Rose of the revived Guns N’ Roses was recruited to sing. The Youngs’ nephew Stevie Young took over for Malcolm on rhythm guitar, while Chris Slade, who initially played drums with AC/DC from 1989 to 1994, returned for the current tour.
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