AC/DC guitarist Angus Young recently discussed why he still aims to impress younger generations during live performances, sharing his thoughts in an interview with Nightline.
During the conversation, Young and frontman Brian Johnson spoke about the younger fans attending their shows. Young explained that he hopes his high-energy stage presence will inspire younger audience members to pick up instruments.
“I might be grey haired and old but I want that younger people seeing me going (running on stage and think) ‘Oh, this guy’s got a lot of energy and surprised me.’ But I hope it inspires them to play guitar and the instruments,” Young said.
Johnson then shared his perspective on the current state of rock music, noting a lack of prominent guitarists in the newer generation.
“You know, one of the things is there’s not enough guitar heroes anymore,” Johnson added.
The remarks come as AC/DC continues to connect with multi-generational audiences on the Power Up Tour. Johnson has observed that fans are bringing their kids, who arrive dressed in band gear and know all the words. Angus Young, AC/DC’s co-founder and only continuous member, remains a major guitar influence through his explosive, highly expressive lead style that still earns masterclass praise in live reviews.
The band’s guitar-driven legacy also carries forward through the Power Up era. The 2020 album was built around Malcolm Young’s unfinished ideas, and Brian Johnson has praised nephew Stevie Young for maintaining Malcolm’s high rhythm guitar standard—helping keep classic hard rock guitar front and center for younger listeners and aspiring musicians.
