Why AC/DC Matters (book + giveaway)

A book called Why AC/DC Matters (HarperCollins, 160 pages, $16.66) may seem redundant. The world’s second best-selling music act (The Beatles are #1) obviously matters to millions of people. But for Anthony Bozza, a writer whose portfolio includes Rolling Stone and autobiographies of Tommy Lee and Slash, that isn’t enough. He explains his motivation for the book thus:

I’m sick of seeing AC/DC begrudgingly acknowledged. I’m sick of mainstream critics acting surprised when confronted with the band’s demonstrable achievements and continuing popularity among generation after generation of obsessively devoted fans. I’m tired of the critical subtext that AC/DC is a band for the tasteless masses, that it is unworthy of the serious consideration afforded bands (like the White Stripes) mining blues and rock with calculated pretension.

This kind of reactive attitude is prevalent among music fans. “Why doesn’t X magazine feature Y band?” is a common complaint. Usually there are two reasons: economics and taste. The former is as rational as the latter is irrational. Lamenting them is like lamenting the weather. It does no good. Luckily, the Internet now provides a potential outlet for all. Unhappy about something? Blog about it!

Bozza has more connections and writing skills than most, so he’s elevated a blog post into a book. Personally, I don’t believe in explaining the merits of bands to others. Telling someone why they should like pears instead of apples is bound to be futile. But Bozza rolls out big guns to turn the irrational into the rational. He gives a brief, colorful bio of the band, a time-honored technique: making one care about the people in a story. He wheels in professors from the Berklee College of Music to vouch for AC/DC’s musical talent. He enlists celebrities like Tommy Lee and Slash to plug the band.

He didn’t need to go to such lengths. Bozza is insightful and concise, one of the best music writers I’ve read. He matter-of-factly explains the AC/DC phenomenon: the band is popular because (a) it is good at what it does, and (b) what it does has an integrity that resonates with people. AC/DC fans already know these things. Bozza’s achievement is articulating them persuasively for those who have to be persuaded to like music.

Live Wire

Still, the book is worthwhile for AC/DC fans. Few writers have been this succinct and accurate about the band. (For a succinct and inaccurate one, see Robert Christgau.) Angus Young’s technique comes from his banjo background. Phil Rudd is irreplaceable because of his feel. Bon Scott’s allure came from the fact that he lived his lyrics. And so on. Fans know these things on a gut level. For example, Rudd’s entrance on “Live Wire” is one of the most satisfying sounds I’ve ever heard. Bozza translates it elegantly to the page. Like his subject matter, his architecture is worth dancing to.

Buy:
Amazon