Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The global hard rock juggernaut known as AC/DC keep making bank at the box office, so it’s naturally taking another lap around North America, even if band members insist they are “powering up for the last time.”

The implication appears to point specifically towards an extensive tour surrounding the “PWR/UP” album, although the fact the Australian icons have maintained a “Stiff Upper Lip” for over half-a-century and span their early to late 70s, it’s safer to see them now than be sorry if this winds up being an actual goodbye.

In any case, Madison’s Camp Randall Stadium was filled to the very brim, drawing not only those near the gargantuan University of Wisconsin campus and community, but the surrounding regions.

For almost two-and-a-half-hours, many from Milwaukee and Chicago as well witnessed why founding guitarist Angus Young, longtime front man Brian Johnson and the remaining original players were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while later rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, plus all-star sidemen Chris Chaney (bass) and Matt Laug (drums) are surely helping fuel them forward.

“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” and “Back In Black” kicked off the historic return in their timeless, gory glory, yet the newer likes of “Demon Fire” and “Shot In The Dark” retained a similar balls-to-the-wall bravado.

Nevertheless, AC/DC focused primarily on the classics, including the anthems “Thunderstruck,” “Have A Drink On Me,” “Hells Bells” and “Highway To Hell” as Johnson screamed like a much younger man, frequently saluting the late Bon Scott, and Young strutted/shredded in his standard school boy attire.

The legends did indeed “Shoot To Thrill” the entire evening, which besides those larger than life personas, featured all the props and pageantry from their “High Voltage” arsenal straight out of “Sin City,” at least in spirit.

Fans’ fists filled the air nearly as regularly, especially when the shout-a-longs “Dirty Deeds Done Cheap,” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “T.N.T.” exploded through the smoky sky, always making certain AC/DC went out with a bang, either forever or hopefully just for now.

For additional information on AC/DC, visit ACDC.com.

For a list of upcoming FPC Live and Live Nation concerts, visit FPC-Live.com and LiveNation.com.

For a list of upcoming shows at Camp Randall Stadium, visit UWBadgers.com.

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