I know this question has been debated ad nauseam for 28 years, but I have been on a real AC/DC kick this past week (specifically the "Back In Black" album ) and I was wondering which of their lead singers people prefer more: Bon Scott ('73-'79) or Brian Johnson ('80-present)?

I am just a casual fan; I don't really know their stuff outside of the very well-known hits that almost everyone has heard at some point in their lives...I was born in March, 1980 but didn't really listen to AC/DC until about 2-3 years ago when my brother let me listen to his "Back In Black" CD. I had always the song "You Shook Me All Night Long" and I was curious to see if I'd like the whole album just as much. I LOVED it; they are the most intense (in a good way) band I have ever heard and that whole CD is just flawless!

But back to the topic. In my opinion Brian Johnson is way better than Bon Scott! Brian just seems to have more grit and strength in his voice. Bon's is good but it just sounds flat and nasal to me. And you can't use the argument of "Well, you grew up with Brian Johnson and that's why you prefer him" on me, because as I said, I only became a fan 2 years ago and before then I had heard songs with both of them on the radio for years.

So, three questions: 1) Bon or Brian? 2) Are any of AC/DC's other albums as good as "Back In Black"? and 3) Who'll be buying the "Black Ice" album on October 21?

Stapp.

1) Difficult to say. I think Bon was more charismatic, and love his 'gutter' lyrics. The songwriting is better in the Johnson era though.

2) I do not think so. I can recommend 'Highway To Hell', 'Powerage', 'Let there be rock', 'For those about to rock'. 'blow up your video' and 'the razors edge' as great momemts. Heck, get them all! There are ALWAYS great moments. I will say that 'fly on the wall' is a low point though.

3) I will be getting it!

Brian Johnson is a beast!

bluefish said:

Are you a retard? Scott was by far the bigger talent, his vocals had more dynamics to them and even the style of AC/DC was more varied when he was the vocalist. Since Brian Johnson they've probably wrote just 2 or 3 songs in that entire 28 yrs. They're a borderline joke, borderline garbage.

Bon Scott by a mile.

Of course Back In Black is probably their best album, but still, I cannot tolerate too much of Brian Johnson's voice. Bon Scott has much more personality and just plain sings, where Brian screeches.

Brian does stuff not everyone can do (ala Axl & Robert Plant), but that doesn't make it pleasant.

kdj997 said:

Whatever dude, it's just my opinion...no need to be rude.

NDRU said:

I personally cannot stand Axl Rose's OR Robert Plant's vocals, yet I dig Brian Johnson and Kurt Cobain. Go figure.

bluefish said:

I like plenty of stuff from all of them, but don't particularly like their vocal quality (Cobain aside). as you said it's just opinion. Those are some of the most successful singers ever, right?

NDRU said:

I love Jimmy Paige, but don't listen to Zepplin because of Plant. (Although I'll make exceptions for a handful of songs.) I love Slash, but don't listen to G&R because of Axl. (Axl just ruins EVERY G&R song for me, even "November Rain.")

Cobain was brilliant and Nirvana is my favorite band. Songwriting, melodies, vocals: they had it all!

I liked both really