In 1968, the last two truly great rock ‘n’ roll songs arrived, according to Angus Young
AC/DC’s Angus Young regards 1968 as the point when rock ‘n’ roll stopped being great, arguing that simplicity, attitude and a strong riff matter more than musical complexity. His view reflects AC/DC’s commitment to keeping their sound direct, and his criticism of bands he sees as disguising their influences in pursuit of originality.
Young singled out the Rolling Stones’ ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Street Fighting Man’ as the last truly great rock ‘n’ roll songs. He admired Keith Richards’ ability to convey a feeling with very few notes, and said the Stones could still perform ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ convincingly. In a 1977 interview, he dismissed what came after, including Led Zeppelin, as imitation of earlier bands such as The Who.
In short
- Angus Young says rock ‘n’ roll peaked in 1968.
- He names two Rolling Stones songs as the last great examples.
- He favours direct, blues-rooted riffs over complexity.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Young’s view is that rock ‘n’ roll’s force comes from a memorable riff, directness and attitude, not technical complexity or novelty for its own sake. The Stones’ spare, distinctive songs show how a few notes can convey a powerful feeling, and later bands risked losing that clarity when they became preoccupied with elaboration or disguising their influences.
The case against
Rock music can remain great while changing: greater complexity, new influences and experimentation can create powerful songs rather than dilute the form. Calling 1968 the endpoint also reflects one musician’s tastes and allegiance to a deliberately simple style; later bands such as Led Zeppelin may transform their influences into something distinctive, not merely imitate them.
Explained simply
AC/DC are an Australian rock band known for a direct sound built around strong guitar riffs. Angus Young, the band’s lead guitarist, has often argued that rock ‘n’ roll works best when it is simple and forceful, rather than musically complicated.
The Rolling Stones are a British band whose songs helped shape rock music in the 1960s. Keith Richards, their guitarist, is known for riffs that use few notes; “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Street Fighting Man” are two of the Stones’ songs from 1968.
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