<Ul> <Li> Malcolm Young </Li> <Li> Dave Evans </Li> <Li> Bon Scott </Li> <Li> Phil Rudd </Li> <Li> Mark Evans </Li> <Li> Cliff Williams </Li> <Li> Brian Johnson </Li> <Li> Simon Wright </Li> </Ul> <P> AC / DC are an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young . A hard rock / blues rock band, their music has also been called heavy metal, although they refer to themselves as "a rock and roll band, nothing more, nothing less". </P> <P> AC / DC underwent several line - up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975 . Membership subsequently stabilised until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977 for the album Powerage . Within months of recording the album Highway to Hell, lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 after a night of heavy alcohol consumption . The group considered disbanding, but buoyed by support from Scott's parents, decided to continue and set about finding a new vocalist . Ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was auditioned and selected to replace Scott . Later that year, the band released the new album Back in Black, which was made as a tribute to Bon Scott . The album launched them to new heights of success and became their all - time best - seller . </P> <P> The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their first album to reach number one in the United States . Drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and replaced by ex-A II Z drummer Simon Wright, who left to join Dio in 1989 . The band experienced a resurgence in the early 1990s with the release of The Razors Edge . Phil Rudd returned in 1994 after Chris Slade, who was with the band from 1989 to 1994, was asked to leave in favour of him, and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker . Stiff Upper Lip, released in 2000, was well received by critics . The band's studio album Black Ice, released in 2008, was the second highest - selling album of that year, and their biggest chart hit since For Those About to Rock, eventually reaching No. 1 on all charts worldwide . The band's line - up remained the same until 2014 with Malcolm Young's retirement due to early - onset dementia and Rudd's legal troubles . In 2016, Johnson was advised to stop touring on account of worsening hearing loss, and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose stepped in as the band's vocalist for the remainder of that year's dates . Long - term bass player Cliff Williams retired from the band at the end of their 2016 Rock or Bust world tour . </P>

What year did ac dc release their first album