Back in Black Tour


The Back in Black Tour was a concert tour by the Australian hard rock band AC/DC in support of their seventh studio album Back in Black, which was released on 25 July 1980.

Background

This was AC/DC's first tour with new vocalist Brian Johnson, who replaced Bon Scott after the latter's death in February 1980, making his first appearance on stage on 29 June 1980 in Namur, Belgium. The band transported their own one-ton "Hells Bell" on the road, which was lowered to the stage each night as the bell tolls of "Hells Bells" were heard. Johnson would finish it off with several hard hits, hammer in hand as the band commenced the show.
During the North American and European legs, the band were supported by a number of different opening acts, including Humble Pie, Def Leppard, ZZ Top, Blackfoot, Gamma, Whitesnake and Maggie Bell.

Reception

The responses from the audience during the band's performances in the United Kingdom were described as near rabid with anticipation.
Mike London from Billboard, however, had given the show he attended in New York a negative review - stating that while the band had established itself as a leader in heavy metal, the show lacked imagination and failed to live up to the band's sound, describing the stage theatrics as lifeless and overused. He noted that the fans attending the show had shown a general positive response, but later in the show grew tired of the poses and solos that Angus Young had given. Concluding his review, London stated his disappointment - saying that AC/DC's music deserved better treatment than what the band performed that night.

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenue
8 January 1981MetzFranceParc Expo
9 January 1981BesançonFrancePalais des Sports
10 January 1981GrenobleFranceAlpexpo
11 January 1981NiceFranceTrinite Stade Municipal
13 January 1981AvignonFranceParc Exposition de Chateaublanc
15 January 1981BarcelonaSpainPalacio Municipal Deportes
17 January 1981MadridSpainPabellon de Deportivo del Real Madrid
18 January 1981San SebastiánSpainVelodromo Anoeta de San Sebastian
19 January 1981ToulouseFranceHall Expo
20 January 1981PauFranceFoire Expo Hall F
22 January 1981Le MansFranceLa Rotonde
23 January 1981BrestFranceParc de Penfeld
24 January 1981CaenFranceHall Expo
25 January 1981BrusselsBelgiumForest National
1 February 1981OsakaJapanExpo Hall
2 February 1981NagoyaJapanShi Kokaido Hall
4 February 1981TokyoJapanNihon Seinenkan
5 February 1981TokyoJapanNihon Seinenkan
13 February 1981PerthAustraliaPerth Entertainment Centre
17 February 1981AdelaideAustraliaMemorial Drive
23 February 1981SydneyAustraliaSydney Showground
24 February 1981BrisbaneAustraliaFestival Hall
25 February 1981BrisbaneAustraliaFestival Hall
27 February 1981MelbourneAustraliaSidney Myer Music Bowl
28 February 1981MelbourneAustraliaSidney Myer Music Bowl

Personnel