In the Spring of 1976 AC/DC signed a worldwide deal with Atlantic Records, and relocated to the UK to further their career. 1977's LET THERE BE ROCK album raised the profile of the band, who had something to prove after their 1976 album DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP was rejected by Atlantic Records. By 1978 Bon Scott was battling with the highs and lows of the road, as well as a multitude of personal issues. The pressure to perform and to break into the American market was also taking a toll on the band.
'I'm living in a nightmare,
She's looking like a wet dream,
I got myself a Cadillac,
But I can't afford the gasoline.'
AC/DC recorded POWERAGE in a frenzied three-week session at Albert Studios in Sydney. The songs were recorded as live as possible, and contain some of the band's fiercest rockers. Bon Scott wrote his most accomplished lyrics, earning him the reputation that of a street poet; one part heartbreak, two parts trouble-maker.
On POWERAGE, Bon Scott explores the seductive charms and danger of life in the fast lane. Wine, women and debauchery, tawdry tales, and double-entendres are an integral part of Bon’s lyric-writing. Bon's willingness to poke fun at himself endeared him to the everyday working person, and when asked whether he was AC or DC, Bon Scott famously replied: "Neither, I'm the lightening-bolt in between."
Atlantic Records demanded a radio-friendly single and persuaded the band to return to the studio. "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation" gave AC/DC its first charting single in the UK, where it peaked at #24. In a rush to get POWERAGE to the pressing plant, the new single did not appear on the album until the second UK pressing, where it became the opening track.
Over the decades the legacy of POWERAGE has grown in stature and importance by the likes of Keith Richards, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Perry, and Slash, naming it as their favourite AC/DC long-player.
An underrated classic? Not a hope in hell!
PERSONAL NOTES: Our family moved back to the UK from South Africa in 1977, the same year that AC/DC relocated to the UK from Australia. "Let There Be Rock" and "Whole Lotta Rosie" could be heard on late-night radio, and word soon spread around the schoolyard that AC/DC, like Motorhead, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden were one of the most exciting live acts in the country. I became an overnight AC/DC fanatic, proudly wearing an Angus Young type satchel to school. My very first gig (aged 14) was AC/DC at the Village Bowl in Bournemouth, the date was 23/05/1978- the music was good and the music was loud! ;)
SINGLES:
"Rock 'n' Roll Damnation"
SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
"Down Payment Blues"
"Gone Shootin'"
"Riff Raff"
"Sin City"
"Up to My Neck in You"