AC/DC’s ‘T.N.T.’ Turns 45
December 1, 1975. AC/DC releases their sophomore effort, T.N.T., in their native Australia. It would be a year before worldwide fans would hear it.
The early AC/DC discography is tricky. The band’s debut, High Voltage, was released in Australia in early 1975. In 1976, High Voltage saw an international release, but it was really more a release of T.N.T., because the international version of High Voltage was comprised mostly of songs from T.N.T. Confused yet?
Let’s shift the focus to the music instead. T.N.T. leads off with perhaps the most recognizable cut in the early AC/DC catalog: “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).” As an opening salvo, it sets the tone for the entire album. And it became an instant classic, inspiring generations of future rockers. I’m partial to this cover version by Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys.
The title track is rock solid, too. It’s almost as if the band knew that, from the crop of songs they wrote from the album, “T.N.T” was the standout. Why not name the album after it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSBkmaSVRks
My favorite moment from the album, though, is “The Jack.” It might be my favorite AC/DC song of all-time, and this live version from The Paradise in Boston in 1978 is a killer.
So in a year where we’ve celebrated 40 years of Back In Black, 30 years of The Razor’s Edge, and seen a new AC/DC album, it’s pretty cool that we get to celebrate a big day for T.N.T., too.