A black and white image of a man holding a microphone on a stand with 2 hands. He is holding the mic close to his mouth and has his eyes shut. He is wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.

This year marks the 50 years since AC/DC, one of Australia's most iconic rock bands, first formed. To mark the occasion, we are sharing 3 recently acquired photographs of the band from photojournalist Leigh Henningham.

Explore Leigh Henningham's photos of AC/DC in Trove

A black and white image of a man with long hair, wearing no shirt, playing guitar
Leigh Henningham, Angus Young, Lead Guitarist with AC/DC Performing During the Back in Black Tour, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, 27-28 February 1981, 1, nla.obj-3128575755

Leigh Henningham was working for the Herald newspaper when he covered the final performances of the Back in Black tour in front of 10,000 people at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on 27 and 28 February 1981. The photos show lead guitarist Angus Young and lead singer Brian Johnson silhouetted against a black arena sky.

A black and white image of a man with long hair, wearing no shirt, playing guitar
Leigh Henningham, Angus Young, Lead Guitarist with AC/DC Performing During the Back in Black Tour, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, 27-28 February 1981, 2, nla.obj-3128575858

These photographs capture a significant performance of one of Australia’s most famous bands during the peak of their influence, and they represent the energy of this era of live music. This trio of images provided an opportunity to add to the Library's collection and increase the representation of Australia’s successes in the field of popular music.

A black and white image of a man holding a microphone on a stand with 2 hands. He is holding the mic close to his mouth and has his eyes shut. He is wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.
Leigh Henningham, Brian Johnson, lead vocalist with AC/DC performing during the Back in Black Tour, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, 27-28 February, 1981, nla.obj-3128575954

Back in Black was the band’s first album following the tragic death of lead singer Bon Scott, and featured new lead singer Brian Johnson. It became their most successful album and the second-best selling album of all time (after Thriller by Michael Jackson). Scott’s death had nearly caused the band to split, but after being persuaded by his family to continue, they hired Brian Johnson as a replacement. Four months later, the band released Back in Black which became an extraordinary commercial and critical success, and AC/DC embarked on a year-long worldwide tour over 1980 and 1981.

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Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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