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The 1960s legends Angus Young could never listen to: “Never a lover of the stuff”
Angus Young of AC/DC said he was never drawn to the Beach Boys’ harmony-led sound, describing it as overly sweet and comparing the group’s vocals to an earlier version of the Chipmunks. His comments underline the musical instincts that shaped AC/DC: Young favoured direct, energetic rock and blues over polished vocal arrangements.
Young said blues, particularly records by Muddy Waters, formed much of his early musical diet, while other children followed contemporary chart music. He also cited Little Richard’s ‘You Keep a Knockin’’ as an early favourite, suggesting that its raw rhythmic energy better matched his tastes than the Beach Boys’ 1960s Californian pop.
In short
- Angus Young disliked the Beach Boys’ harmony-heavy style.
- He preferred raw blues and rock ’n’ roll.
- Muddy Waters and Little Richard shaped his early tastes.
Explained simply
Angus Young is the lead guitarist and a founding member of AC/DC, the Australian rock band formed in 1973 with his brother Malcolm. The group became known for loud, blues-influenced rock built around strong guitar riffs and a driving rhythm.
The Beach Boys were an American group whose 1960s hits often featured carefully layered vocal harmonies and songs about youth and Californian life. Their polished pop sound differed from the blues records Young listened to as a child, including music by Muddy Waters and Little Richard.
Those influences help explain the contrast between the Beach Boys’ vocal arrangements and AC/DC’s more direct approach to rock. The difference reflects the range of styles that shaped popular music in the 1960s and 1970s.