High Voltage: The Life of Angus Young – AC/DC's Last Man Standing

by Jeff Apter, John Derum (Reading)

‘How did such big balls get in such short pants?’ - Aerosmith’s Steve Tyler on Angus, at the induction of AC/DC into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Angus Young, the co-founder and last remaining original member of AC/DC, has for more than 40 years been the face, sound and sometimes the exposed backside of the trailblazing rock band.

In his trademark schoolboy outfit, Angus rose from the obscurity of working-class Glasgow and Sydney to become hard rock’s greatest guitarist. High Voltage is the first biography to focus exclusively on Angus, and reveals in stunning detail how his signature guitar sound, his unique flair for performance and his unstoppable drive to succeed have kept AC/DC on the rails and at the top of the rock pile.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Audiobook, Adult

Audio CD

First published August 28, 2017

About the author

Jeff Apter is the author of more than 30 books, many dealing with the world of music. He has written biographies of Keith Urban, Malcolm and Angus Young of AC/DC, Jeff Buckley and the Bee Gees. As ghostwriter, he has worked with ARIA Hall of Famers Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton, and AC/DC’s Mark Evans. He was also the creative consultant for the award–nominated live production A State of Grace: The Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley and spent four years on staff at Rolling Stone Australia.

Reviews

[Todd Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific biography! It is about Angus, so of course it will be about AC/DC. Jeff Apter has put together a very objective book. There are no opinions but those of the article writers he quotes, there is no Brian Johnson hating going on after the Back in Black era, there is no saying that Bon Scott wrote Back in Black; only facts as we know them, including that Bon sat in on drums with Malcolm and Angus on new songs like Have a Drink on Me and Let Me Put My Love Into You; just noodling around, jamming just before he died.
The writing is fine and very readable, you can read this fast because you want to keep reading, if you are a fan.
One of the better AC/DC; Angus Young books.
Incidentally, I've met with Angus and his wife Helen, and she told me Angus and Malcolm wrote BIB. We see from Apter's book that Malcolm came up with a lot of the titles, and Johnson rhymed from there, and there is no mention of a piece of paper found in Bon's apartment after his death with the words, "She told me to come, but I was already there", written on them.
Like I said, objective.

[Tito Ortiz Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely valuable book if you are an AC / DC fan. It is both a book of the biography of Angus Young, as well as a biography of the band itself through the life that Angus and his inseparable brother Malcolm led. By the date of publication, many relevant events that have occurred in recent years do not appear in the book, but it is easier to understand Angus's often controversial decisions about the management of the band when we have this book as a testimony.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, even though I knew most of the Angus Young, ac/dc history from previous books etc this was still good because it gave up to date info on where each member is now.

[Julie Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Very readable and informative. Have dusted off all my AC/DC albums and introduced the kids to proper music. Would recommend.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday read. A bit like reading a giant article rather than a fresh, deep insight into one of rock and roll’s great talents. The use of secondary sources kept this book a little on the fringes - I was hoping for more. (The AC/DC story is a cracking career yarn, nonetheless.)

Ironically, as I jumped in the car this evening the tail end of an interview with Angus was on air, followed by a (slightly generic) AC/DC banger. They’ve been doing what they do for 40 years. Indeed, the greatest Australian rock’n’roll band of all time…

The quintessential book on the band, and on Angus, however, ain’t this one.

Or maybe they’re just a band better listened to than read about.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for all AC/DC fans. The origin story for the group through 2018. From Bon Scott to Brian Johnson to Axl Rose, a fascinating biography of one of the most popular rock bands of all time. It is indeed a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!

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[Stephen Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this I don't doubt that AC/DC are/were the world's hardest working and rocking band, however this is a biography, albeit unauthorised, and do I know any more about Angus Young than when I started? The answer is no. This book has been glued together from freely available sources though the author does have an admittedly close connection with the music industry that helps make its linear narrative at least two dimensional. The third dimension is never really explored, Angus remains an abstemious man-boy in a school uniform, married to a model, living in Holland with no kids, a load of guitars, and a commendable work ethic. Perhaps that is it? I did enjoy dialling in some personal events with the chronology, particularly the first Donnington Park Monsters of Rock. The authors big miss was his failure to mention Blue Oyster Cult getting bottled off the stage before they had finished their first song, possibly the highlight of the concert. This was an important demonstration of a grassroots antipathy towards weak US Progressive Rock and the embrace of the punkish AC/DC. The moment captured a new disdain for the bland 'supergroup' and surely pointed to why AC/DC became the true monster of rock.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book via Goodreads giveaway contest, and am glad I encountered it.
This was an interesting book on a band I am not that familiar with (sure I know parts of the band's history and their songs, but wasn't informed on the history of the band). The book details the band AC/DC through the eyes of it's figurehead, Angus Young.
The book covers the early years of Angus touring in the clubs , until the band became a legends and hall of famers.
There are parts that get skipped around, or there is not much to tell in the time, especially in the late 1980s-1990s parts of the band and then gets more into the last few years of the band having to deal with member changes and the health of its members.
The book was an easy read, and informative (much like the other books I have read by this company). Maybe the die hard fans may find stuff left out, but for someone who wants to know about the band, this is a good book to have.
For other book reviews, go to www.lancewrites.wordpress.com

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. Very descriptive and well written by Jeff APTER. He gives an account of the life of Angus YOUNG which is very, very interesting. From the beginnings of AC/DC to their world performances, to the inevitable bad gigs, odd friendships, deaths and exhilaration's of being a rock stars - it is such an interesting story. From someone who loved their music from day one it was certainly an eye opener in that not all the expected raunchiness existed in this band.
Highly recommended.

[Ophelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting perspective into one of the most interesting and private people in rock & roll history. I never truly appreciate quite how instrumental the Youngs were to getting AC/DC where they are today. Like any part-time fan I enjoyed the albums and watching Angus giving it his all in live performances but this insight into the band's rise to fame, their creative process and the battles they had to fight along the way - with the media, occasionally with the government but most of all against their own demons.

Highly recommended for any rock fans with an inclination toward history!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent history of AC/DC, focusing on Angus, but including everyone in and around the band. I would have liked a short update since it ends with Brian Johnson being out when the band is preparing for what will likely be a final tour in 2025 with Johnson back in the fold. No slight, though. You'll come away with a great appreciation of what this band has achieved.

[Michele Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like ACDC, but not what I’d call a fan. However, after reading this, realize I missed an opportunity to be among an evolving thing. I loved how it was written. Would have enjoyed more photos. A fabulous read for anyone, in my opinion

[Ron Titley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its "Long Way to The Top" and Angus has been overwhelmingly on the top for a long long time.
Very enjoyable book.
I can remember seeing the band in Sydney in the 70's and the descriptions in Jeff's book are accurate.

[Druss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book. Very insightful, learned a great deal about the band. Great to hear the stories of life in the road and on stage. The reactions to the band and the relationships. Must for any fan

[Mike Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

With rock biographies, I’ve come to expect to lose some respect for the subjects as the narrative unfolds, never musically, but in other life choice aspects. That was not the case with AC/DC and especially Angus. A well done, thorough biography.

[Geoff Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Very easy to read and pretty much right up to date.
Worth a read.

[Jacqui Lademann · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review at https://bookblog76.com/2017/09/22/hig...

[Michelle See · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing life. They worked hard, over and over.
Sad that Angus would lose 2 beloved brothers in such a small span of time in 2017.
RIP George & Malcolm - rock on

[Greg Mcloughney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read if you like AC/DC. I didn’t really find out too much than what I had already read about Angus & AC/DC, but it is a good reminder of what a great band they were.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and right up to date with Axl joining the last tour.

[Jeffrey Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great insight into that era of rock and roll

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and comprehensive look at the goings on behind the scenes of the best band that's ever existed.

[Steve Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me like Angus even more, not only as a musician but as a human being. Well-written and easy to read. Never boring.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read before, a great read, highly recommend.

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[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as our Book Club theme this month was Music and it is a very interesting book. You get an insight into the band but more so into the life of Angus Young, which is quite interesting.

This really does give you a look at the life of rock bands and how each person involved brings something different to the mix. I must say my perception of Angus is different than the persona that was always given when the band was popular.

A very interesting read if you like music and the life of other people.

High Voltage: The Life of Angus Young, AC/DC's Last Man Standing
Jeff Apter

[Ana Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

“High Voltage” é uma biografia que mergulha na trajetória de Angus Young, guitarrista e fundador do AC/DC. O livro mostra não apenas o artista no palco, mas também a pessoa por trás da lenda do rock. A leitura é envolvente e muito bem construída, trazendo curiosidades, momentos marcantes e os bastidores de uma das maiores bandas do mundo.

Gostei muito da forma como a obra apresenta Angus: alguém incrivelmente dedicado, talentoso e humano, que fez da música sua identidade. Mesmo sem ser fã da banda antes, a leitura me conquistou e me fez admirar não só Angus, mas também o AC/DC como um todo. É uma leitura que vale muito a pena — seja para quem já ama o rock ou para quem está apenas começando a conhecer a história deles.

[Adam Windsor · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a deep look into the life of rock's foremost schoolboy, you won't find it here. The biographical elements for Angus's pre-AC/DC life are fairly solid, but once the band kicks off, the text is very much focused on the performer. The offstage man is repeatedly described as 'private', and author Jess Apter seems little inclined to impinge on that desire for privacy.

What you do get though is a solid and very readable account of AC/DC the band, and Angus Young's central contribution to their success. I doubt there is much here to surprise a dedicated fan, but if you've only a more passing awareness of the band, then there are plenty of interesting tales.