For nearly five decades, AC/DC has captivated audiences with their straightforward and electrifying brand of hard rock across America. Their journey began with their inaugural U.S. performance in 1977, where Angus Young and the rest of the band quickly earned acclaim as an essential opening act. Much like their global trajectory, it wasn’t long before they transitioned to headlining major arenas and stadiums in the United States.

Over the decades, AC/DC has remained steadfast in their musical identity, resisting trends and overcoming personal tragedies and lineup changes. Their resilience and commitment to live performances have solidified their status as one of the most sought-after touring acts in the country. Below is a comprehensive overview of each of AC/DC’s 16 tours across America, along with insights on how to relive those unforgettable moments through live albums, home videos, and bootlegs.

1977: Experience the ‘Let There Be Rock’ Tour

AC/DC had been rocking together for nearly four years before making their first mark on American soil during their tour promoting the fourth studio album, Let There Be Rock, released in 1977. The lineup saw Cliff Williams stepping in for Mark Evans on bass after the album’s recording, joining iconic vocalist Bon Scott, guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, and drummer Phil Rudd. Their initial U.S. performance took place on July 27, 1977, where they opened for bands like Foreigner and UFO.

Their burgeoning popularity was evident when a Jacksonville, Florida radio station became one of the first to feature AC/DC’s tracks, leading to a remarkable turnout of 8,000 fans at their debut show in the city. To witness a slice of this history, check out fan-recorded footage from their August 5, 1977 concert in West Palm Beach. Additionally, on December 7, AC/DC delivered a live performance at the Atlantic Recording Studios in New York City before a select audience, which was later released as a promotional album in 1978 and made available to the public in 1997 as part of the Bonfire box set.

1978: Dive into the ‘Powerage’ Tour

Following the May 1978 release of their album Powerage, AC/DC’s reputation soared, leading to a significant increase in their live audience in the United States. The band embarked on a nearly three-month-long road trip across America, supporting renowned acts such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, and Blue Öyster Cult.

Their first live album from the Bon Scott era, If You Want Blood You’ve Got It, was recorded during a stop in Glasgow, Scotland, and was released in October 1978. To revisit this era, three tracks from that iconic show were included in the 2007 Plug Me In box set, highlighting the enduring appeal of their performances.

1978-79: Relive the ‘If You Want Blood You Got It’ Tour

The release of the live album prompted AC/DC to hit the road again for a tour that spanned three months in America. During this time, they co-headlined events with UFO and provided opening support for Journey and Cheap Trick. Fans can find three songs from their appearance on the BBC2 show Rock Goes to College featured in the Plug Me In collection, showcasing their vibrant live performances.

1979-80: Breakthrough ‘Highway to Hell’ Tour

AC/DC truly established themselves in the American music scene with the July 1979 release of Highway to Hell, produced by Mutt Lange, which peaked at No. 17 on the album charts. The band solidified their status as headliners, embarking on a six-week stint in the U.S. as part of a 99-show global tour.

The December 9, 1979 show in Paris was filmed and later released both in theaters and on home video as the Let There Be Rock concert movie in 1980. An expanded soundtrack from this performance was included in the 1997 Bonfire box set. Tragically, the January 27 show in Southampton, England marked the last performance before Bon Scott’s untimely passing in February 1980, which led to the cancellation of planned tour dates in Japan and Australia.

1980-81: Reviving Spirit with the ‘Back in Black’ Tour

Facing the daunting prospect of continuing without the beloved Bon Scott, AC/DC found encouragement from his mother, who expressed that he would have wanted them to carry on. They welcomed Brian Johnson as their new frontman, recorded the monumental album Back in Black, and returned to the stage in June 1980. The tour featured an impressive stage setup, including a custom one-ton bell that lowered from the ceiling as they kicked off with “Hell’s Bells.” Johnson delivered powerful performances, blending new tracks from Back in Black with classics from the Scott era.

Four songs from the February 5, 1981 concert in Tokyo are featured in the 2007 video collection Plug Me In, capturing the excitement and energy of their live shows.

1981-82: The Spectacular ‘For Those About to Rock’ Tour

Following the release of their final album produced by Mutt Lange, For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), in November 1981, AC/DC hit the road with a striking new stage production. Two cannons, reminiscent of those depicted on the album cover, made a dramatic entrance at the end of the show, firing into the audience. Although some venues initially resisted this spectacle, it has since become a cherished tradition that fans look forward to at every concert.

Fans can find two tracks from the tour’s December 20, 1981 performance in Landover, Maryland, included in the Plug Me In compilation, highlighting the thrilling atmosphere of their shows.

1983-84: The ‘Flick of the Switch’ Tour – A Return to Roots

In an effort to reconnect with their grittier early sound, AC/DC released the somewhat polarizing album Flick of the Switch in 1983. However, this effort resulted in a slight commercial decline for the band. Internal struggles, including substance abuse and personality conflicts, led to the departure of drummer Phil Rudd before the tour commenced, prompting the band to enlist Simon Wright as his replacement.

Four tracks from the November 17, 1983 concert at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena are available in the Plug Me In collection, reflecting the raw energy of this era.

1985-86: Energizing the ‘Fly on the Wall’ Tour

Despite being punchier and more accessible than its predecessor, the 1985 album Fly on the Wall failed to achieve the desired impact, akin to Flick of the Switch. The band attempted to engage with MTV by producing higher-budget music videos, yet their faithful fanbase still turned out in droves for the three-month fall tour across the U.S., featuring support from Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force.

This tour remains undocumented in any official releases, but their October 11, 1985 concert at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center was broadcast over the radio and has circulated widely as a bootleg recording.

1986: The ‘Who Made Who’ Tour – A Soundtrack Experience

<pIn a unique turn for their career, AC/DC released a soundtrack for the Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive in 1986, which primarily featured a compilation of hits alongside one new original track and two powerful instrumentals. The title track, Who Made Who, became a significant hit, leading to a two-month, 43-date North American tour that kicked off on July 30, 1986, in New Orleans and wrapped up on September 20 in Long Island. Unfortunately, no official audio or video content from this tour has been made available.

1988: Unleashing the ‘Blow Up Your Video’ Tour

AC/DC’s 11th studio album, Blow Up Your Video, released in 1988, built upon the success of Who Made Who, with the lead single Heatseeker achieving greater chart success worldwide. This nearly year-long world tour, consisting of 164 dates, commenced with Angus Young making a dramatic entrance from a giant missile, a precursor to the increasingly extravagant stage openings the band would adopt in future performances.

During this tour, Malcolm Young took a hiatus from the North American leg to address his substance abuse issues, temporarily replaced by his nephew Stevie Young. He returned in time for the band’s next recording. Unfortunately, no official audio or video content from this tour has been released.

1990-1991: Revitalizing with ‘The Razor’s Edge’ Tour

After experiencing their first lineup change in six years when drummer Simon Wright departed to join Dio, AC/DC welcomed Chris Slade to the fold for the recording of what would become a monumental comeback album, 1990’s The Razor’s Edge. Fueled by hits like “Thunderstruck” and “Moneytalks”—which remains their highest-charting single in the U.S.—the album achieved six million sales, reestablishing the band at the forefront of the rock scene.

The subsequent year-long, 160-date world tour commenced in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 2, 1990, and was commemorated with the 1992 live album AC/DC Live and the home video Live at Donington, marking the first official live releases featuring Brian Johnson on vocals.

1996: The Grand ‘Ballbreaker’ Tour

After a 12-year hiatus, AC/DC reunited with drummer Paul Rudd in preparation for the recording of 1995’s Ballbreaker. While the album did not achieve the same level of success as The Razor’s Edge, it still attained double platinum status in America. The subsequent 11-month world tour commenced on January 12, 1996, in Greensboro, with the July 10 performance in Madrid, Spain, captured in the No Bull home video.

This tour showcased perhaps the most impressive stage production in AC/DC’s history, beginning each night with a colossal wrecking ball demolishing the facade of a massive structure, as Angus Young emerged triumphantly from the debris.

2000-01: The Iconic ‘Stiff Upper Lip’ Tour

For their 143-date Stiff Upper Lip tour, the stage was dominated by a massive 40-foot bronze statue of Angus Young, mirroring the album cover’s imagery. This larger-than-life Angus breathed smoke and emitted fire from its guitar, creating a spectacle that left audiences in awe. This tour marked the third consecutive AC/DC tour to be documented on home video, aptly titled Stiff Upper Lip Live.

2003: Exclusive Club Shows for a Milestone Celebration

In celebration of the 2003 reissue of their back catalog and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, AC/DC performed a series of intimate shows at smaller theaters, contrasting sharply with the stadiums and arenas they had dominated for the previous two decades. During these performances, the band delved deep into their Bon Scott-era repertoire, resurrecting classics like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation” and “What’s Next to the Moon.” Their June 17, 2003 concert at Circus Krone in Munchen, Germany, was filmed and later included in the 2009 deluxe edition box set Backtracks.

2008-10: Experience the ‘Black Ice’ Tour

After an unusually lengthy eight-year hiatus, AC/DC returned to the stage with their 2008 album Black Ice, which introduced yet another spectacular stage show featuring an oversized train, a nod to the album’s hit single “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train.” The band’s three-night stand in Buenos Aires in December 2009 was immortalized in the 2011 live album and home video Live at River Plate. Sadly, this tour marked the last for Malcolm Young, as the band faced numerous challenges in the subsequent tour.

2015-16: The Eventful ‘Rock or Bust’ Tour

Following another extended break, AC/DC made a comeback in late 2014 with the release of Rock or Bust. This album was particularly significant as it was the first recorded without Malcolm Young, who had to step back from the band due to dementia and health issues. His nephew Stevie filled in for both the album and the subsequent tour, which was rife with chaos. After facing legal troubles and his subsequent arrest, Phil Rudd was unable to participate in the tour, leading to the return of Chris Slade.

As the tour progressed, singer Brian Johnson was advised by his doctors to refrain from performing to avoid permanent hearing damage, prompting Axl Rose from Guns N’ Roses to step in and cover for him during the tour’s final 23 dates. Near the tour’s conclusion, bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement from the band, leaving Angus Young as the last member of the lineup that had remained intact for almost two decades.

No official recordings featuring either Johnson or Rose from this tour have been released, but many talented fans have documented the tour on platforms like YouTube.

2023: The Resilient Return at Power Trip

After the passing of Malcolm Young in November 2017, the band faced significant challenges following the tumultuous Rock or Bust tour. However, in the subsequent year, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams reunited with Angus and Stevie Young to create the remarkable 2020 album Power Up, which was a tribute to Malcolm, crafted from songs he had previously written with Angus.

The pandemic delayed their return to the stage until 2023, when AC/DC performed for the first time in seven years at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California. While Johnson and Williams returned, Rudd was replaced by Matt Laug, known for his work with Alice Cooper and Slash’s Snakepit.

In 2024, the band is set to embark on a full-scale European tour with Laug continuing on drums, and Chris Chaney, formerly of Jane’s Addiction, stepping in for the apparently re-retired Williams. This lineup is also slated for a North American tour in 2025.