Band wanted to challenge AC/DC in 1975
In January of 1975, AC/DC found themselves in a showdown with one of the decade’s heavyweights in the world of hard rock. As a still fledgling band, they were making a name for themselves in the local Melbourne club scene after relocating from Sydney, with their debut album, High Voltage, set to release shortly. Additionally, they had recently enlisted Bon Scott as their frontman and were gearing up for a performance at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1975. This festival, often referred to as “Australia’s Woodstock,” was a significant event in the rock scene at the time, held at George Duncan’s farm in Victoria, where bands like Queen had performed before reaching superstardom. Despite the festival’s reputation, financial losses and poor ticket sales meant that many bands received little to no pay, apart from the main headliner.
AC/DC’s entry into the Sunbury festival came about unexpectedly, as they were brought in as a safety measure in case the main act failed to show up. Upon their arrival at the farm, the band faced logistical challenges, such as having to walk a considerable distance due to their driver’s reluctance to risk getting stuck in the muddy terrain. As they made their way to the stage, they encountered Deep Purple, the band who had received a substantial payment for their appearance and had reportedly caused some commotion backstage.
The exact details of the altercation between AC/DC and Deep Purple are unclear, but it is said that tensions escalated quickly, leading to physical altercations between the two groups. Angus Young, a member of AC/DC, mentioned that the conflict started when one of Deep Purple’s entourage allegedly struck their manager, prompting the entire AC/DC band to intervene. With emotions running high, chaos ensued as the bands grappled both on and off stage, with the audience eagerly joining in the scuffle.
Despite the turmoil, AC/DC never got the chance to perform at the festival, opting not to return the following day. However, this incident only added to the band’s growing reputation as a hard rock outfit known for their rowdy, beer-drinking image. In the years following the Sunbury festival, AC/DC went on to achieve global success, solidifying their place in the music industry.
The clash at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1975 became part of rock folklore, highlighting the competitive nature and intense rivalries that existed within the music scene of the era. AC/DC’s brush with Deep Purple served as a pivotal moment in their career, setting the stage for the band’s future success and establishing their place as one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.