The forgotten Sydney of AC/DC

The story of AC/DC and their Sydney origins as told by some of the bands earliest members.

#music #australia #acdc #history #documentary

AC/DC was indisputably born and bred in Sydney but there aren't the statues, plaques and laneways that other cities have to show the origins of one of the biggest rock bands of all time. Take a high-voltage trip through Sydney and learn about the forgotten haunts and the story that shaped AC/DC. We sit down with some of the band's original members, Mark Evans, Noel Taylor, Rob Bailey and Tony Currenti, in this exclusive mini-documentary by the Herald's Tom Compagnoni.

The story of AC/DC’s formative years in Sydney is told through the recollections of early members Mark Evans (bass player 1975-77), Noel Taylor (drummer 1974) and Rob Bailey (bass player 1975-75). They recall band rehearsals and social events at the Young family home in Burwood, seeing Angus first don his schoolboy outfit at Victoria Park Pool, filming the first video clip in The Last Picture Show in Cronulla and recording their first album at Albert Studios on King St in the heart of Sydney.

Meanwhile in Penshurst, Tony Currenti, an Italian immigrant and owner of Tonino's Penshurst Pizzeria, tells the story of how he unexpectedly became the drummer on AC/DC’s debut album, High Voltage. After completing work on the album, Tony declined an offer to formally join the band - and then watched as they became one of the biggest groups in the world. Tony still works in the pizza shop, its walls lovingly adorned with AC/DC posters, records and photos from his brief time in the band.

All members reflect on Sydney’s role in shaping AC/DC and more generally on the decline of Sydney as a live music hub.

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