# In 1995, Rick Rubin got to work with the best rock band in the world. They called him the worst

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1995-rick-rubin-got-to-work-with-the-best-rock-band-in-the-world-they-called-him-the-worst/
- Published: 2026-11-02T02:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T02:10:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1995-rick-rubin-best-rock-band-in-the-world/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Rick Rubin admired AC/DC but the band disliked working with him.
- Malcolm Young criticised Rubin’s focus on the snare drum.
- The article contrasts Rubin’s approach with George Young’s.

## Summary

In 1995, producer Rick Rubin worked with AC/DC on *Ballbreaker*, hoping his stripped-back approach would suit the band’s direct, swaggering rock sound. Although he admired AC/DC above other rock bands, the collaboration was strained, and Malcolm Young later said the group thought Rubin was a “phoney” who focused too much on the snare drum.

The article says Rubin preferred capturing the feeling of a live performance, while AC/DC were accustomed to working with producers such as Mutt Lange and George Young. It argues that George Young’s method of letting the band develop many songs helped preserve their energy, and suggests Rubin’s production priorities did not match what AC/DC wanted.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.