Back in Black

Back in Black is the 7th studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980. Back in Black was the first AC/DC album recorded without former lead singer Bon Scott, who had died at the age of 33 on February 19, 1980. The band considered disbanding following Scott’s death, but ultimately decided to continue and shortly thereafter hired Brian Johnson as their new lead singer and lyricist. Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who had previously worked with AC/DC on Highway to Hell, was again brought in to produce.

The album was remastered and re-released first in late 1994, then again in the Bonfire box set in 1997, and as part of the AC/DC Remasters Series in 2003. In addition, a Dualdisc version was released in 2004, featuring the album in enhanced LPCM Stereo format and the video documentary The Story of Back in Black.

On December 13th 2007, the RIAA certified it 22.00× Multi Platinum, recognising 22 million shipments throughout the United States & worldwide has sold an estimated 42 million copies - making it second only to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling album of all-time.


Overview
Back in Black contains some of AC/DC’s biggest hits, including “Hells Bells”, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, and the title track “Back in Black.” According to Angus Young the album’s all-black cover was a “sign of mourning” for Scott, as black is the traditional Western colour of mourning.