AC/DC Band Reportedly Avoided Sharing Stage with Rock Celebrities

Few bands can match the sheer energy and showmanship of AC/DC on stage. Their explosive performances have solidified their place in music history. But an interesting story from the past involves an alleged incident where AC/DC did not want to share a festival stage with another hard rock outfit, Krokus.

Hailing from Switzerland, Krokus earned the moniker of the “Alpine AC/DC” in the early ’80s due to their aggressive guitar-driven sound and Marc Storace’s gritty vocals that drew comparisons to the Australian rock giants. While the band didn’t outright reject the comparison, members like bassist Chris von Rohr saw it as a compliment while emphasizing Krokus’ unique identity, highlighting their versatility with ballads and harder rock numbers like “Fire” and “Screaming In the Night.”

Despite sharing some stylistic similarities with AC/DC, Krokus asserted that they had their own distinct sound. The bands’ ties grew even stronger when they encountered each other in a London recording studio during the production of AC/DC’s album “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).” There was a camaraderie that led Krokus to adjust their recording schedules to accommodate the Young brothers’ studio needs.

However, tensions seemed to emerge during the 1981 Monsters Of Rock festival at Castle Donington. Krokus believed they were part of the lineup with AC/DC as headliners but were later removed from the bill. Storace later alleged that AC/DC or their management had a hand in preventing Krokus from performing, indicating that there might have been concerns about Krokus overshadowing AC/DC at the event.

The relationship between the bands took an interesting turn when rumors swirled that Storace had been indirectly invited to audition for AC/DC after Bon Scott’s untimely passing. Storace clarified that the invitation was relayed through a common industry connection rather than a direct outreach from AC/DC. He viewed Krokus as a rising band in their own right and decided to stay loyal to his group.

It was clear that AC/DC’s powerful presence in the industry had an impact beyond just music, as Krokus felt the weight of being compared to the rock titans. The two bands’ parallel journey even intersected when Krokus had to alter their album title due to similarities with an AC/DC release.

Ultimately, the clash between AC/DC and Krokus revealed the complexities of navigating the competitive rock scene. Despite their close association, both bands were determined to carve out their distinct paths in the music world. The rumored resistance to having Krokus share a stage with AC/DC sheds light on the unspoken rivalry and strong personalities that characterize the rock music landscape. Though they didn’t end up facing off onstage, the dynamic between the two bands remains a fascinating note in rock history.