Lords of Metal
Arrow Lords of Metal

AC/DC release limited-edition 50th-anniversary watch by Swiss luxury watchmaker FRANCK MULLER

12-06-2024

According to Watch I LoveFranck Muller, the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker, has unveiled two limited editions honoring AC/DC‘s 50th anniversary. Commemorating the legendary rock band’s unmatched success, these limited editions of 50 pieces each, are available in polished stainless steel and brushed titanium with black PVD treatment.

Encased in a sleek and distinctive 43 mm tonneau-shaped case, a hallmark of Franck Muller’s design philosophy, this horological masterpiece houses an automatic movement with a date window at 6 o’clock, embodying the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking excellence.

The dial, an artistic homage to AC/DC‘s enduring spirit, is adorned with the signature Franck Muller numerals, skillfully hand-painted by the artisans at the manufacture in Switzerland. Enhanced in the iconic red hue that originated from the first logo lightning bolt in 1974, synonymous with AC/DC‘s legacy, these numerals infuse the timepieces with timeless elegance.

Delve deeper into the dial’s intricate details, and you’ll uncover a narrative of the band’s extraordinary odyssey. The black center of the dial showcases a vinyl-like engraving reminiscent of their seminal debut album, “High Voltage” released in 1975. Atop the vinyl, the silver-accented six strings of a guitar take center stage, symbolizing the soul-stirring chords that have reverberated through five decades. Inspired by the legendary Gibson guitar played by Angus Young, whose energetic performances and iconic stage outfits have become synonymous with the essence of AC/DC, this detail pays homage to his electrifying presence on stage.

With the addition of the “50 Years” tagline under the logo, these limited-edition celebrate the golden anniversary in style. This emblem exudes opulence and embodies the band’s rock spirit, making this Swiss masterpiece an indispensable accessory for devoted fans of the band.

Packaged in a flight case recalling AC/DC‘s on-stage presence, these timepieces introduce a true rock flair and symbolize the band’s mastery of memorable live performances and extensive concert tours, which have captivated audiences worldwide for decades. The flight case comes in a drawstring bag.

Franck Muller is renowned for exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs. Franck Muller watches are celebrated for their intricate complexity, exquisite aesthetics, and attention to detail, making them a favorite among collectors and connoisseurs of fine horology. Additionally, the experts at Franck Muller value innovation as much as they honor tradition. This reverence is beautifully embodied in their latest collection, which seamlessly melds a crypto cold wallet with the classic wristwatch.

The Franck Muller Vanguard AC/DC 50th Anniversary is a numbered series of 50 pieces in each metal and costs $9,000.

For more information, visit www.franckmuller.com.

The 24-date “Power Up” European tour will run through August. The trek will hit Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland before landing at London’s Wembley Stadium for a pair of shows on July 3 and 7, then moving on to Germany, Slovakia and Paris and winding down at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The European tour is the first run of gigs since AC/DC‘s return to the stage at last year’s rock Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

AC/DC‘s last tour took place in 2015 and 2016 and had a $180 million gross, with 2,310,061 sold tickets reported to the Pollstar box office.

The AC/DC High Voltage dive bar is coming to five cities during the band’s spring/summer 2024 “Power Up” European tour. Plug in with fellow fans in Gelsenkirchen, Seville, Munich, London and Paris to see iconic AC/DC props and grab exclusive merchandise (including very special vinyl releases).

For more information, visit acdc.com/divebar.

The AC/DC High Voltage dive bar made its debut last October in Indio, California, 10 minutes from the Power Trip festival, where the band last performed.

AC/DC‘s lineup for the “Power Up” European tour, which will kick off in May and run through August, will consist of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group’s touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.

AC/DC‘s first show in seven years took place on October 7, 2023 at the Power Trip festival.

AC/DC recruited Laug to perform with the band at the three-day event.

The 56-year-old Laug is an American drummer who has played with many bands/artists such as Alanis MorissetteAlice CooperSLASH’S SNAKEPIT and Vasco RossiMatt moved to Los Angeles after graduating from South Florence High School in 1986 and after attending college in L.A., Matt became a sought-after studio drummer.

In 2001, Laug supported AC/DC as part of SLASH’S SNAKEPIT on the North American and European legs of the “Stiff Upper Lip” tour.

In its announcement about Laug‘s addition to the band’s Power Trip lineup, AC/DC offered no explanation for the absence of the band’s longtime drummer Phil Rudd, who rejoined AC/DC for the recording of the group’s comeback album, “Power Up”, which came out in November 2020.

Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was replaced on the band’s “Rock Or Bust” tour by Chris Slade, who had previously served as AC/DC‘s drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album “The Razor’s Edge”.

Rudd, who appeared on all but three of AC/DC‘s 18 previous studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, “Head Job”. It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd‘s arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after Johnson was advised to stop playing live or “risk total hearing loss.” The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its “Rock Or Bust” tour with GUNS N’ ROSES frontman Axl Rose as a “guest vocalist.” At the time, Johnson had been AC/DC‘s singer for 36 years, ever since replacing the late Bon Scott in 1980 and making his debut on the classic “Back In Black” album.

To enable him to perform live with AC/DC again, the now-76-year-old Johnson worked with audio expert Stephen Ambrose, who said he could help resolve the singer’s hearing problems.

Ambrose, who invented the wireless in-ear monitors that are widely used by touring artists today, claimed to have invented a new type of ear-bud that would allow Johnson to perform without causing further damage to his eardrums. After three years of experimenting and “miniaturizing” the equipment, Johnson previously said the technology could allow him to tour again.

Chaney is best known as the bassist of JANE’S ADDICTION and as a member of Alanis Morissette‘s touring and recording band. Chaney was also a member of TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS and CAMP FREDDY, as well as being a prolific and versatile session musician, having played with artists including Joe CockerShakiraSlash and Avril Lavigne to Sara BareillesGavin DegrawCherSHINEDOWN and Celine DionChaney is also a founding member and partner in the all-star supergroup ROYAL MACHINES along with Dave Navarro (JANE’S ADDICTION), Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY), Josh Freese (FOO FIGHTERS) and Billy Morrison (BILLY IDOL).

Bassist Cliff Williams announced his retirement at the end of AC/DC‘s 2015-2016 “Rock Or Bust” tour, which also saw Johnson leaving. However, Williams — and Johnson — took part in the recording sessions that resulted in “Power Up”. Both of them were also part of the AC/DC lineup that performed at Power Trip.

During an October 2020 interview with Dean Delray‘s “Let There Be Talk” podcast, Cliff was asked if Johnson‘s departure from the road was what led to his desire to stop touring. Cliff responded: “It was before then. I spoke to Angus about it initially. I was at a point — and this is at the beginning of the ‘Rock Or Bust’ tour — that I just felt, for me, it was time to hang it up. I knew that I didn’t wanna keep doing these two-year tours, and I didn’t wanna hold them back, so I made them aware of the fact that this was gonna be my last go-round. It was a tough tour to finish. God bless Axl for coming in and helping us out, finish it up. He did a great job. And at the end of that, I was definitely — that was it for me. Done — just done. That compounded the whole thing.”

According to Williams, he wanted to take part in the recording sessions for “Power Up” as a tribute to Angus‘s late brother, founding AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who died in 2017 from effects of dementia at age 64. Malcolm is credited as a writer on all 12 tracks on “Power Up”.

“If ‘Back In Black’ has  (late AC/DC singer) Bon Scott all over it, for me, ‘Power Up’ has got Malcolm Young,” Cliff said. “This is for him. And it’s the band that we played together with for 40-plus years. And I wanted to do that — I wanted to come back and do that.

“We did some rehearsals earlier in 2020 before this darn COVID thing popped up, and we had great rehearsals,” he continued. “The band was playing really well. So they asked me, ‘Do you wanna do a few shows? ‘Sure’. A few shows. We were planning on doing that. Everyone goes home to their respective homes, and bang, we’ve been here ever since because of the coronavirus-related shutdown.”

Cliff went on to confirm that his commitment to AC/DC was only for “a few” dates in support of “Power Up”.

“For both my mental and physical health,” he said. “I definitely have some physical issues, which I won’t bore you with the details of. But, yeah, it’s tough. I’m very grateful for everything. It’s been fantastic. But I just don’t wanna do that anymore.”

Williams previously revealed that a “terrible” bout with vertigo contributed to his 2016 retirement. He also admitted the return of both Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd convinced him to rejoin the group. “It was like the old band back together,” he told Rolling Stone. “It was not like starting over again, but as close to the band that’s been together for 40-plus years as we can possibly make it. I didn’t want to miss that.”

The follow-up to 2014’s “Rock Or Bust”“Power Up” was recorded over a six-week period in August and September 2018 at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver with producer Brendan O’Brien, who also worked 2008’s “Black Ice” and “Rock Or Bust”.

AC/DC has announced the initial details of the group’s first tour dates in eight years.

The legendary band’s lineup for the “Power Up” European tour, which will kick off in May and run through August, will consist of singer Brian Johnson, guitarists Angus and Stevie Young, drummer Matt Laug and the latest addition to the group’s touring lineup, bassist Chris Chaney.

Says AC/DC: “We are thrilled to finally announce the ‘Power Up’ European Tour. AngusBrianStevie, and Matt will be joined by Chris Chaney to carry the torch for Cliff.

“The tour will see us play shows across Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, England, Slovakia, Belgium, France & Ireland this Summer. We can’t wait to see you all out there.”

Tour dates:
May 17 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 21 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Veltins Arena *
May 25 – Reggio Emilia, Italy, RCF Arena
May 29 – Seville, Spain, La Cartuja Stadium
June 05 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Johan Cruyff Arena
June 09 – Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 12 – Munich, Germany, Olympic Stadium *
June 16 – Dresden, Germany, Messe *
June 23 – Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 26 – Vienna, Austria, Ernst Happel Stadium
June 29 – Zurich, Switzerland, Letzigrund Stadium
July 03 – London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 07 – London, England, Wembley Stadium
July 13 – Hockenheim, Germany, Ring *
July 17 – Stuttgart, Germany, Wasen *
July 21 – Bratislava, Slovakia, Old Airport
July 27 – Nuremberg, Germany, Zeppelinfeld *
July 31 – Hannover, Germany, Messe *
August 09 – Dessel, Belgium, Festivalpark Stenehei
August 13 – Paris, France, Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
August 17 – Dublin, Ireland, Croke Park **

AC/DC‘s first show in seven years took place on October 7, 2023 at the Power Trip festival in Indio, California.

Social media