<Li> "Back in Black" Released: 21 December 1980 </Li> <Li> "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" Released: 15 March 1981 </Li> <P> Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC / DC . Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the album was released on 25 July 1980 by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records . By the late 1970s, AC / DC began to achieve significant popularity outside their native Australia, with high - energy live performances and a string of successful albums . In 1978, they paired with producer Lange and recorded their international breakthrough, Highway to Hell . Back in Black is the band's first album with vocalist Brian Johnson, replacing Bon Scott, who had died in February of the same year, shortly before the band started recording the album . Instead of disbanding, the group decided to continue with Johnson . </P> <P> Back in Black was recorded over seven weeks in the Bahamas in April and May 1980 . The area was hit by tropical storms at the time, making the sessions difficult at times . Composed by Johnson, Angus and Malcolm Young, its musical content consists of hard rock - styled numbers . Lange demanded perfection in the band's recordings, particularly on Johnson's vocals . Following its completion, the group mixed Back in Black at Electric Lady Studios in New York City . The album's all - black cover was designed as a "sign of mourning" for Scott . </P>

When was ac dc back in black released