If you grew up cranking your dad’s record player till the walls rattled, you know exactly what Brian Johnson brought to AC/DC — pure, beer-soaked, high-voltage rock ’n’ roll thunder. When Bon Scott tragically passed, the world wondered who could fill those boots. Then along came Johnson, a Geordie with a voice that sounded like gravel in a blender and the rest is headbanging history. Here are 9 Johnson-era anthems that still make middle-aged rockers everywhere reach for the air guitar (and maybe an aspirin).
1. Back in Black (1980) The song that resurrected AC/DC. From that bone-crunching riff to Brian’s screeching tribute to Bon Scott, it’s rock perfection. If you haven’t shouted “Forget the hearse, ’cause I never die!” in the car, are you even alive?
2. You Shook Me All Night Long Pure, sweaty, jukebox gold. A story of lust, leather, and late nights. Johnson’s vocals hit every high note like they were forged in whiskey.
3. Hells Bells That ominous bell toll still gives chills. A song that turns any living room into a cathedral of rock.
4. Shoot to Thrill Sleek, swaggering and louder than your first hangover. Johnson’s vocals ride Angus Young’s guitar like a bat outta hell.
5. Thunderstruck (1990) That riff is a shot of adrenaline straight to the veins. Johnson’s shout of “Thunder!” could wake the dead.
6. Moneytalks Catchy as hell and sharper than your accountant’s pencil. Proof AC/DC could rock and laugh at greed all at once.
7. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) Cannons. Fire. Glory. The anthem for every guy who ever raised a beer at a concert.
8. Rock ’n’ Roll Train (2008) Decades later and they still had it. A modern classic that proved the Johnson growl never rusts.
9. Who Made Who (1986) Written for the movie Maximum Overdrive, but the real machine here is Johnson’s voice, relentless and unstoppable.
Plug in, turn it up, and salute the man in the flat cap.
