Angus, four fucking letters of nobility

Angus Young isn’t just the guitarist for AC/DC; he’s the living embodiment of pure Rock ‘n’ Roll. At the start of 2026, as the band continues to captivate generations, his legendary status remains untouchable for several fundamental reasons.

An « Organic » and Inimitable Sound

Unlike many guitarists who get lost in complex effects racks, Angus champions absolute simplicity: a Gibson SG plugged directly into a wall of Marshall amps.

This saturated yet precise sound, achieved by pushing the tubes of his amplifiers to their limits, has become the global benchmark for the genre.

His right-hand technique is phenomenally powerful, giving the notes a dynamic range that few musicians can replicate.

The genius of the « Simple but effective » riff

Angus Young possesses the rare gift of creating melodies that everyone can sing, but that no one could have invented.

Songs like Highway to Hell, Back in Black, and TNT are based on three or four open chords.

It is this economy of notes in the service of raw effectiveness that makes him a genius composer. His riffs are the very foundation of learning electric guitar.

An athletic stage presence

At over 70 years old, Angus retains an energy that 20-year-old musicians envy. His mischievous schoolboy persona is one of the most famous in music history.

The Duckwalk: Inherited from his idol Chuck Berry, this dance move has become his inseparable signature.

On stage, he seems possessed by the music, running from one end of the stage to the other while performing complex bluesy solos without ever hitting a wrong note.

Absolute Fidelity to the Blues

Although AC/DC is classified as Hard Rock, Angus Young is first and foremost a Blues guitarist. His solos are accelerated and powerful versions of those by Muddy Waters or B.B. King.

Angus Young makes extensive use of vibrato and bends (pulling the string to change the note), which gives his guitar a raw and soulful quality.

Since 1973, he has never changed his style to follow trends (punk, disco, grunge, or synth-pop). This consistency has ultimately earned him the eternal respect of fans and his peers.