When AC/DC Brought Thunder to CBGBs
In the late 1970s, the music world was undergoing a seismic shift. Two genres, punk rock and heavy metal, emerged from the underground, seemingly evolving side by side. Both were raw, rebellious, and loud, yet the two movements ran parallel to each other, rarely converging. But there are moments in history when these musical paths cross, creating something magical and unique. One such moment occurred on August 24, 1977, when AC/DC played CBGB in New York City, a venue synonymous with punk rock and new wave.
The Australian rockers were on their first American tour, promoting their latest album Let There Be Rock, which had been released in June of that year. The band was fresh off the road, playing a mix of club dates and supporting acts at arenas—including, surprisingly, REO Speedwagon. At this point, AC/DC had yet to fully infiltrate the American mainstream, but they were steadily building a following. Their raw energy, electrifying performances, and bad-boy attitude resonated with the burgeoning punk scene in NYC.
CBGB: The Meeting of Punk and Rock
CBGB was already legendary by 1977. It was the epicentre of punk in the United States, where bands like The Ramones, Blondie, and Patti Smith honed their craft. Yet, on this summer night, CBGB’s stage hosted a lineup that reflected a rare convergence of musical styles. Sharing the bill with AC/DC were Talking Heads, known for their quirky, intellectual approach to punk, and The Dead Boys, one of the more abrasive and confrontational punk bands of the time.
For AC/DC, this wasn’t just another gig—it was a chance to prove their mettle in front of an audience that was famously sceptical of anything outside their insular scene. But if there was any doubt about how the punk crowd would receive a hard-rocking band from Australia, those doubts were quickly erased.
A Night to Remember
AC/DC’s performance at CBGB was nothing short of explosive. With Bon Scott’s gravelly voice leading the charge, Angus Young’s manic, schoolboy-uniformed presence on guitar, and the band’s relentless energy, they won over the crowd. Punk fans loved AC/DC because they embodied the same rawness and rebellious spirit that defined their movement. They weren’t polished or corporate—they were wild, untamed, and gave everything on stage.
In many ways, AC/DC was the perfect band for CBGB. Their sound, while rooted in hard rock, carried the same kind of stripped-back, no-nonsense attitude that punk fans adored. Songs like “Let There Be Rock” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” were fast, loud, and rebellious—qualities that made them natural allies of the punk ethos.
The poster for the night confirms the eclectic mix of bands, showcasing how genres that were supposedly at odds with each other could share the same space and thrive together. For a brief moment, punk rockers and heavy metal fans were united by their love of loud, aggressive music. It was a night that showcased how the boundaries between genres can blur, and how music, at its core, is about attitude more than anything else.
AC/DC's Time in New York City
New York in 1977 was a chaotic and vibrant city, with a thriving music scene that was both gritty and glamorous. While AC/DC was busy performing at iconic venues like CBGB, they were also soaking in the atmosphere of a city that had been the birthplace of so many different musical movements. From the rise of disco in the clubs of Manhattan to the underground punk revolution brewing in places like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, New York City was alive with creativity and energy.
For AC/DC, playing in New York was more than just a tour stop—it was an opportunity to immerse themselves in the raw, electric atmosphere of the city. When they weren’t performing, they could be found roaming the streets of lower Manhattan, visiting iconic landmarks like Times Square and soaking in the grittier side of the city. It was a stark contrast to the band's humble beginnings in Australia, and the energy of New York undoubtedly left a lasting impression on them.
AC/DC's stint in the States would continue through the winter of 1977, with the band steadily building their American audience. Their relentless touring schedule, combined with their reputation for electrifying live performances, helped solidify their place in the pantheon of rock gods.
Punk’s Love for AC/DC
Punk fans’ admiration for AC/DC didn’t end with the CBGB gig. Over the years, AC/DC would maintain a loyal following among punk rock enthusiasts. Bands like The Ramones, who shared a similar dedication to simplicity and power, often cited AC/DC as an influence. The same spirit that drove punk rock—the desire to strip music down to its rawest, most elemental form—was at the heart of what AC/DC did.
Both punk and heavy metal grew out of a dissatisfaction with the mainstream music of the early ‘70s, which had become overly commercialised and bloated. AC/DC’s music was a rejection of that, just as much as punk rock was. Their no-frills, straightforward approach to rock resonated with those who wanted music that was honest, unpretentious, and loud.
A Night Where the Lines Blurred
AC/DC’s gig at CBGB stands as a rare moment when two seemingly divergent genres came together in the same space. On August 24, 1977, punk rockers and hard rockers stood side by side, united by a shared love for music that was raw, energetic, and real. For AC/DC, it was a chance to show the world that they belonged on any stage, in any city, and in front of any crowd.
Their time in New York City was brief but impactful, and this legendary gig would go down in history as one of the moments where punk and heavy metal crossed paths, proving that, at the end of the day, rock ‘n’ roll is all about breaking boundaries and bringing people together, regardless of the genre.
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