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AC/DC Lets There Be Rock At The Forum

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By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 21, 2008

During "Let There Be Rock," near the end of AC/DC's set Sunday night at the Forum, guitarist Angus Young sprinted down the catwalk to a small circular stage near the middle of the arena.

As the stage rose, Young threw himself to the floor, playing his solo while frantically kicking his legs, a spectacle somewhere between a Three Stooges routine and a child's temper tantrum.

If you're of the opinion that the best rock 'n' roll is something between a Three Stooges routine and a child's temper tantrum, you probably were among the 17,181 who packed the Forum. If you're not, you probably don't like AC/DC in the first place, and why are you even reading this?

Young likely has done that leg-kicking routine during every AC/DC show since as far back as anyone can remember. It wouldn't be an AC/DC show without it, or the cannons during final encore "For Those About to Rock, We Salute You," or the inflatable harlot during "Whole Lotta Rosie."

This time Rosie straddled the "Rock 'n' Roll Train" which appeared to crash into the rear of the stage as the band opened with the song of that name.

It was one of five songs AC/DC played from this year's "Black Ice," album, which must be some kind of record, considering that the 28 years between the new disc and the career-making "Back in Black" were represented by exactly two songs.

Beyond that, any fan could have called most of the set list – nice to hear "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" and "Shoot to Thrill" in there. But no one goes to see AC/DC to be surprised.

You go to see Angus go nuts; to hear his brother, rhythm guitarist Malcolm, and bassist Cliff Williams hammer out the riffs; to hear lovable lecher Brian Johnson howl about rolling thunder and dirty women; and to watch drummer Phil Rudd smoke cigarette after cigarette. And that's what they did.

Thank heaven or hell, depending on your inclination.

Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568.

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