During the '70s, The Australian group, AC/DC, recorded a number of albums, and they were always touring to support them.
As they gained popularity around the world, their grueling tour schedule became tiresome, leading exhausted guitarist Angus Young, to call it the "Highway to Hell."
Of course, he ALSO thought that was a great song title, so Angus, along with rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young and vocalist Bon Scott sat down and hashed out a "Great Song of '79!
They released "Highway to Hell" (the single) from their album of the same name, and while the album was charting all over the world, the single initially topped out at just #47 on Billboard's Hot 100.
However, as time went by, it became a staple on rock radio stations, as well as a floor-filler at clubs. Eventually, the song hit #1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart--in 1992!
From there, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it at #258 on their list of the "Top 500 Songs of All Time," and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame added it to their list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll."
Unfortunately, Bon Scott wasn't able to enjoy the accolades; he died just 6 months after the song was released.
That's a sad ending to a good story, but "Highway to Hell" lives on as a testament to his incredible voice...as well as a "Great Song of 1979" (and beyond)!
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