Back in the 1970s, Journey was carving its path to rock stardom, but according to former frontman Steve Perry, they nearly had their momentum crushed—by none other than AC/DC. In a 2019 interview, Perry shared an unforgettable story about how AC/DC’s electrifying performances made Journey question their own stage presence.
The Night That Changed Everything
During their early touring days, Journey and AC/DC shared a bill, with the Australian rockers serving as the opening act. At the time, Bon Scott was leading AC/DC’s charge to international fame, while Journey was already gaining traction. However, Perry admitted that following AC/DC on stage was nothing short of intimidating. Perry recalled:
“It was this new band and everybody said they were really rockin’.
“I was showing up the last 10 minutes of every show. I’m trying to sing all my stuff and warm up, and I hear this, ‘I’m a problem child!’ I said, ‘What the hell is that?’”
Curious and slightly concerned, Perry ran to the stage and was completely blown away by what he saw. He said:
“Bon Scott was just layin’ it down, and the [Young] brothers were driving, and the audience had their fists in the air, just shaking in time with the music.
“I was stunned. I just said, ‘This is unbelievable. What is this?’”
AC/DC Raised the Bar for Journey
The experience left Perry in awe, but it also filled him with dread. “And then I had to follow this band? Go out there, sing ‘Wheel in the Sky?’ What am I doing? They’re killing me here!” he admitted.
Despite the challenge, Perry acknowledged that AC/DC’s high-energy performances forced Journey to step up their game. “They made us play better, man. They spanked us bad – I’m being honest with ya, they spanked us a good one, and any band member will admit that,” Perry confessed.
A Lesson in Rock & Roll Intensity
While AC/DC may have pushed Journey to their limits, the experience ultimately helped them refine their sound and stage presence. “We had to learn how to play all these Journey songs, that we originally wrote with a new intensity,” Perry reflected.
In the end, both bands found their places in rock history, but Perry’s story proves that even the biggest bands can find themselves humbled by a powerhouse opening act.