Wendy Smith australian fan for H2acdc.com
My diary was a five year diary 1972-1976. I wrote in it every day for that whole period. (My mother always wrote in her diaries every day so it would have been her idea to buy me one). Many girls would have kept a diary but a lot of them would have been lost over time. I am so glad that I kept mine.
I have always thought that it would be a good idea. After losing some old friends and family members I began to wonder what would happen to these memories and photos if I passed away, so this spurred me on to get busy and just do it.
I hoped that the stories and photos would bring back many memories to the band members, as well as others who were around at those times. It was important for me to record the dates, concerts, venues, etc. as I had noted them in my diary.
I was a Veterinary Nurse for over 30 years. I am now retired.
I wrote a very long manuscript and hired a freelance editor who thought it should be shortened to the band period only. After the editing I hired a proof reader and a printing company to complete the book. The photos were professionally scanned. The book was fully funded by me.
To get a publishing house interested in a book in Australia, it sounded difficult and time consuming, and with no guarantee of a positive outcome. Although it was a costly venture, I decided in my retirement that this was something that I wanted to do so I self- published. It was an enormous undertaking and I had to learn so much along the way. My printing company – Boolarong Press – was extremely helpful and supportive. Looking back now I think I would have liked to have had the book distributed through a publishing house and if I had my time again I would have tried this first.
I love this idea but I would not know where to start and I probably would not be able to afford to have it done.
I was aware of AC/DC’s strong worldwide following, however I did not realise that my book would be of so much interest, particularly as part of it is about growing up in Melbourne, Australia in the 1970s. I am pleased that AC/DC reached the success they wanted and I am glad that the book has been enjoyed by many people around the world.
No, everything is in the book as I remember it. I chose what I thought were the best photos but I have kept a few photos just for myself.
There were other girls with cameras at some of the venues but not many. I often wonder if there are more photos out there somewhere. I don’t recall seeing any Super 8 or other recording cameras around.
No, I had no idea at all. I did know how committed Malcolm and Angus were though – even back then they were both so serious about their music.
Music was everywhere in Melbourne in the 1970s and it was so easy to see live bands. We played and listened to music whenever we could, on records and radios. My first international favourite band was Slade and Slade Alive was the first album I bought. I saw and liked many Australian bands but Skyhooks and AC/DC became the standouts.
After AC/DC and Skyhooks started touring I followed Split Enz for a while. I then started listening to Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Sparks and Roxy Music. These are still my favourites today.
In the 1970s we had access to live bands in school halls, town halls and TV studios such as Countdown. It was great for us still being at high school as we were unable to get into licensed venues. As the bands became successful they would begin touring both nationally and internationally, as well as play in the many pubs around Melbourne. Concerts became much larger events too. This all started to happen in the late 70s and I became more interested in international bands and bought many of their albums.
I had heard of AC/DC but didn’t pay much attention to them until after Bon had joined the band. I think I had seen one or two pictures of them in the rock magazines.
I can’t remember seeing them on TV before Bon but it is possible.
The TV Studios where Countdown was recorded were easy for us to get to but you had to have tickets to get in. We would have to write letters to order tickets and we never knew which shows Skyhooks and AC/DC would be doing. That is why we would often just turn up to see them outside and hope that someone could sneak us in.
The studios were rectangular in shape with a wide stage and a polished floor (so the cameras could roll across easily). The backdrops were always colourful. Recording of the show started at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon and would usually take one hour. The audience was mostly young school-age girls like me – anywhere between 13 – 17 years old.
I don’t like to steal from Tana Douglas’s book, but Loud is the best word that I would choose.
No, I didn’t see them live on stage again after 1976, and I have never met them again.
I did listen to some of their music but probably less as time went on.
This was a great shock when I heard about it. It seemed so unfair and tragic. Bon was still so young and he had so much left to give. I felt for his family, and the band members, as well as all his fans. I did hope that Angus and Malcolm would go on but I had no idea of how they would.
The news of Malcolm hit me very hard. My mother had dementia and I was working in Aged Care at the time so I was aware of what a terrible disease it is. Again, you always think of his family and friends. I really felt for Angus as they had been such close brothers for so long – my heart went out to him.
I often wonder what Bon and Malcolm would be like today if they were still here. It is very sad when such great talents leave us early.
“The Quiet Ones” still meet up for our regular lunches 2-3 times every year. During those years at school and following bands we formed very strong friendships which are lasting our lifetimes.
This is a very good question! To be totally honest I could not pick one – I loved both bands with all my heart.
