AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - AMARCORD WILKES BARRE

Those who were there cannot easily forget what happened one year ago in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. And probably they never will. This small town, virtually in the middle of nowhere ,will remain forever in the hearts of the very few fans who gathered from all over the world to witness the historic comeback of AC/DC.

AC/DC Abruzzo's staff had made the promise just after the legendary gig at the Hammersmith Theatre in London on October 2003 to go anywhere AC/DC had decided to play the next show. That powerful rendering of If you Want Blood (You've got it) that night had just blown us away....

We had to wait for 5 years but we kept our word. As soon as the dates of the Black Ice World tour came out we secured our seats for the firs date of the tour Wilkes Barre using the first of a long list of Fan Club memberships. We didn't even know where this place was, somewhere on the East Coast for sure, but we put our faith in the Gods of Rock...

The real deal was the 1st night of the World Tour. We had to be the first to hear all the songs but then the rumours of a secret/private show, just a few days before the official kick off of the Black Ice tour caught our attention. Obviously we had to be there... We didn't win any contest but we did our duty of fans implementing our "Impossible is Nothing policy": we anticipated our flight, spent some time in NYC (we were actually there for the official release of the album on Oct 20), did some networking and finally got the confirmation that the "secret/private gig" (called "Dress Rehersal") was going to take place in Wilkes Barre. So Andrea and Matteo moved to Pennsylvania earlier, got to Scranton (and that's when it was decided to establish Project AC/DC Abruzzo) and then moved to Wilkes Barre where Marco from AC/DC Italia joined the party.

The day before the show Wilkes Barre looked like a Mecca for AC/DC fans. We could actually see all these AC/DC t-shirts. It really felt good. Then, when we started meeting people that we had met at the Hammersmith Theatre in 2003 (and I'm talking about the exclusive Soundcheck the previous day) the we understood that Wilkes Barre was going to be heaven on earth for us. It was going to be the final reward for those fans who had stood through thick and thin for 5 years waiting for AC/DC's comeback...

We had done our duty: we were in front of the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes Barre there on October 26, 2008 for AC/DC's come back BUT... WITHOUT TICKETS!!! Actually passes... How did we manage to get them? Well, maybe it was a fluke, maybe something else. As a matter of fact it was thanks to this interview...

See the crazy Italians (4 mins in)

Actually the interview was longer with lots of Italian spoken (including some jokes). Then when the interviewer asked the question: "How did you guys get tickets for the show?" and got the blunt answer "We don't have tickets for the show" the poor guy was shocked. People who came from Italy to the US for a show without tickets. We still remember his face. But we didn't win any contest, acdc.com didn't think we were worth to be rewarded with tickets so what were we supposed to do? Sit down and cry? Instead we took the bull by the horns, just like our ancestors used to do in the Abruzzo countryside, and improvised a desperate ticket hunt. But it was easier than expected. The rest is history... We were in.

The secret gig was something really special. In the same league of London 2003. That's for sure. Since the very first second when the R'n'R Train intro video was on the screens until the final "I salute you" by Brian, we felt that Rock'n'roll was back.... We had been actually the first in the world to have seen the boys back on stage for the first time in 5 years... And seeing Angus playing with his white shirt sleeve rolled up really had no price... We met lots of cool fans. Old friends and new friends from Us and back in Europe...

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Wilkes Barre, Wachovia Arena October 26, 2008

Rock 'n' Roll train

Hell ain't a bad place to be

Back in black

Dirty deeds

Thunderstruck

Hells bells

You shook me all night long

TNT

Black Ice

Whole lotta Rosie

Let there be rock

Highway to hell

For those about to rock

Then it came the first night of the World Tour. The OFFICIAL comeback of AC/DC for "mainstream" audience. Obviously we couldn't miss that either. And on the same day we had to witness one of the heaviest snowfall we could remember while driving back from NYC to Wilkes Barre. This time instead of the 2000 crazy fans from all over the world, as Brian had been kidding about, the previous night there was a real crowd. And it was a real Rock show! Angus had changed uniform and pace. The setlist was complete this time and we were the first in the world to hear Big Jack and Anything Goes!

After Wilkes Barre Marco and Andrea kept going for a few more dates in the States. The next step for Matteo and Stefano was going to be Europe, GA arenas, our home turf....

Wilkes Barre, Wachovia Arena October 28, 2008

Rock & Roll Train

Hell Ain't a Bad Place To be

Back In Black

Big Jack

Dirty deeds done dirt cheap

Thunderstruck

Black Ice

The Jack

Hells Bells

War Machine

Anything Goes

You Shook Me all night long

TNT

Whole lotta Rosie

Let There Be Rock

- encore-

Highway To Hell

For Those About To Rock

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AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - AC/DC BACK IN TURIN, ITALY IN 2010?

In the end, the rumours circulating in the last few days about 2 major changes in the setlist (Go Down and Sin City instead of Dirty Deeds and Dog Eat Dog) unfortunately proved wrong. The setlist is still the same and AC/DC is still the most repetitive live rock band currently on tour... But we love them anyway, don't we!

As for the 2010 summer tour, beside the 6 dates in Germany rumoured on the eventim.de website and the concert in Paris Stade De France (apparently confirmed by the promoter) according to an article published on the Italian newspaper "LA STAMPA" AC/DC will play Stadio Comunale in Turin on June 8 and June 9 2010. If this is true, it would surely be the perfect treat for the Italian and International fans who could not attend the two memorable sold-out Italian shows in Milan last March..

As for AC/DC Abruzzo we will stick to the original "down under plan" anyway...
STAY TUNED!



Thanks to Elio

UPDATE: ROCCO AND THE HOT POTATOES

Since many of you asked us about Rocco we would like to add to the previous post that Roco is a truly eclectic artist and his works include music compilations, fashion clothes, books etc. He also took part in several advertisement campaigns. The most famous one was broadcast on national Italian Tvs a few years ago raising strong controversy in a peculiar country where it is normal that the Prime Minister meets the Pope on a day and prostitutes on the other... Ironically, it was for a brand of potato chips. Here's the whole story:

ROCCO AND THE HOT POTATOES

AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - BLACK ICE TOUR - PROVERB OF THE MONTH

"Addò c'è gguste, nen g'è pperdènze." (Dove c'è gusto non c'è perdenza)

Translation:"Where there is enjoyment there is no loss." The enjoyment of something (e.g. a sport, hobby, music etc.) is its own reward regardless of whether it leads to money, success, fame etc.

HARD AS A ROCCO!!! By AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG

“Her hot potatoes will elevate you.
Her bad behavior will leave you standing proud”

HARD AS A ROCCO!!!!

We know it's HARD to believe!! But it's true! Among our world tour adventures and amazing meetings, Matteo and Stefano of AC/DC Abruzzo had the privilege to meet one of the most charismatic and iconic Italian movie stars in the world... ROCCO SIFFREDI!!!

As most of you know, Rocco has gained worldwide fame thanks to his stunning 20-year career in the adult film industry collaborating with more than 5000 "business partners", starring in more than 1500 movies and becoming undoubtedly THE BEST in his field. Now that he has retired as an actor he works as a producer. A.lways keeping his STIFF... STIFF UPPER LIP!

However, most of you probably don't know that Rocco is from the ABRUZZO region, just like AC/DC Abruzzo staff!!

AC/DC Abruzzo met him during the world tour and had the opportunity to have a nice friendly chat with him about a wide range of subjects... from XXX to AC/DC.



Here's an excerpt of AC/DC Abruzzo's exclusive interview with ROCCO SIFFREDI!

Hello Rocco, thanks for being with us. We are from Roseto, Abruzzo just a few kilometres from your hometown Ortona. And since we are here in Budapest following the band we wanted to express our respect and admiration by meeting and offering you a special bottle of wine selected by our sommelier!

Thank you guys! It's very nice of you. And thank you for the bottle. Next time you're in town give me a call and we'll meet in a nice restaurant.

Rocco, as you know we are on very tight schedule due to AC/DC world tour. But it meant a lot to us to be here to thank you in person, even briefly, for all your work which we admire a lot. Especially the early days... Above all, you proved that the "strong and gentle" attitude combined with the stubbornness of people from Abruzzo can lead to success and excellence, in any fields.

Yes it's true, but I was also lucky... If I didn't go to Paris when I was 20, despite my big talent and strong character, I would have probably ended up in Pescara repairing public telephone booths with my uncle as you can read in my autobiography. Life is about seizing the opportunity at the right time, but you also have to put yourself in the right place. This goes for everything in life.
But you guys are really touring Europe with AC/DC? You must be crazy HARD CORE fans! Don't you guys have a job??

Rocco, we just love to combine business and pleasure, just like you! AH AH AH AH

You're funny guys! And I like your flag... Let me sign it.

Thanks Rocco! What do you think of AC/DC? Are you going to the concert?

I love AC/DC and I'd love to go to their concert but unfortunately I have a very important film casting to supervise in these days. Being a movie producer is really a HARD job! Do you guys want to COME to the casting by the way?

WOW! We’re flattered, Rocco. But this time we’ll have to pass. We must go to the show! There are rumours that AC/DC are going to change the setlist tonight…

As you want! CIAO to AC/DC Abruzzo fans.

Sì ragazzi! E' proprio lui! Rocco Siffredi! Uno degli abruzzesi di maggiore successo, tra i più ammirati e invidiati del mondo! Il Rocco nazionale, icona del MADE IN ABRUZZO. AC/DC Abruzzo ha avuto l'opportunità e il privilegio di incontrare Rocco e di parlare con lui di diversi argomenti: dalla musica degli AC/DC (che conosce e apprezza) fino alla sua recente autobiografia, fonte di ispirazione anche per il tour di AC/DC Abruzzo. Venuto a conoscenza del nostro progetto Rocco si è mostrato molto incuriosito ed è stato subito lieto di apparire in foto con noi per il nostro blog. Il suo carisma "forte e gentile" e la sua energia contagiosa ci hanno dato un ulteriore impulso nel proseguio del nostro tour. Ringraziamo di nuovo Rocco e gli auguriamo un in bocca al lupo per il proseguio della sua carriera di produttore!

Thanks to Istiboy&co for intelligence and logistics and to The KOSP for external consulting.

AC/DC ABRUZZO BLOG - BLACK ICE TOUR AMARCORD SERIES

AMARCORD meas "I remember" in several Italian dialects, including the Abruzzese! We will use the title of this Fellini's movie for a new series of entries regarding the cities we've visited, the people we've met and the things that we've seen during our AC/DC European tour! We hope you enjoy this retrospective rock'n'roll journey through Europe with AC/DC and AC/DC Abruzzo!

GERMANY March 2009! Dusseldorf-Oberhausen (7-9 March)

As you probably remember AC/DC Abruzzo Stirring Committee added these 2 dates last minute to our European Indoor Tour. The official reason was the cancellation of the second Antwerp tour. The real reason is you never get enough of AC/DC live!! 

So the President ended up in the Northwestern part of Germany. An industrial-working class area that has always had a strong passion for AC/DC since the early European tours. Lots of Dutch fans had also the opportunity to join the party. According to the news received from Orangus, Brian was back in action, full throttle in Leipzig, so we were happy to be part of AC/DC come back to Germany after the legendary 2003 gigs. The expectations were incredible. Needless to say that getting tickets outside the venue for these shows was pretty tough, despite the announcement of the summer stadium tours. AC/DC Abruzzo Vice President and the other guys from the AC/DC Italia crew were also there for the show. Unfortunately, the Secretary General was unable to make it.

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The shows were just perfect! Orangus and I still agree that Oberhausen and Dusseldorf were some of the best performances of the band in indorr arenas (but the audience was too weak in both cases). In Oberhausen, in particular, the band seemed to master the stage perfectly providing an amazing performance, technically and artistically. Brian's voice was still sounding extremely powerful, almost like for the first US leg of the tour. Angus looked in perfect shape, very accurate and more energetic than before. It would be interesting if there is a video bootleg around.... Unfortunately, as said before, the crowd was really disappointing... Coming from Paris or even Antwerp you could tell the difference.

During these 5 days we met some interesting historic fans who had lots of stories to tell us, from the Bon Scott era, to the '80s to the Ballbreaker and SUL tour. We had some real fun together. Being a bit disappointed with the nightlife of the cities (Dusseldorf and Oberhausen are really small cities, especially Oberhausen which could be compared to Pescara! Can you imagine AC/DC live in Pescara! AH AH AH) Orangus and the President headed to Cologne for a quick tour of the city including a stop in some renowned Italian restaurants. The Italian community here is huge, especially the Calabrese community and it is probably easier to find people speaking Italian than English, which is quite unusual for Germany. We also interacted with the local people, sometimes using the body language like in the video below (where some Germans underline the resemblance between football player Luca Toni and AC/DC Abruzzo's President). The magic word was "Campioni del mondo!"

Last but not least HAPPY BIRTHDAY To Brian!!! CIN CIN!

THE ROCK'N'ROLL NONNO!!!

Today AC/DC Abruzzo is glad to be with a legendary fan who’s been following the band for ages. He’s a piece of history of AC/DC and you will find his name even in books such as AC/DC Maximum Rock’n’Roll. In the last year we met him several times on the road, from the R'n'R Train video shoot in London to the Open air Stadium Tour and he's a good friend of ours. His name is Alan but AC/DC Abruzzo likes to call him Alano or ... ROCK'N'ROLL NONNO!

The President, Alan and the Secretary General in Dublin last April

1-Hi Alan, it’s a pleasure to be with you again. Last time we met was in Paris after the Stade de France show. How are you?

Hi guys, how are you both? It seems a long time since Hampden Park, I don't know why we didn't catch up in either Wembley or Dublin... I am fine and in good health, enjoying the rest of the summer and going up to Manchester to see my beloved UNITED and also doing lots of gardening and decorating to earn some 'pocket money' and really looking forward to my trip to Australia for another 11 shows, they will take me up to 47 for this tour!

2- WOW! GRANDE ALANO! If we remember correctly, we met for the first time in the lobby of our hotel in Wilkes Barres, PA last October just one day before the secret/private show, 5 years after AC/DC’s last gig in London. We were both checking in in the hotel. We remember the levels of excitement for the historic come back of AC/DC and for the world tour. What are your memories of that wonderful experience in that small Pennsylvania town in the middle of nowhere?

My first memories of Wilkes Barre (after meeting you fine italians) is rain, rain and more rain. As you know I was with Michel and although we were drowned we laughed. I will tell you about our trip to Mcdonalds later. The afternoon of the show, meeting up with old friends and making new ones was great. The actual rehersal show was not one of the most memorable but still great to see the guys again.

Alano in Wilkes Barres

Yes, it did rain a lot the day before the show. Then sun and the following day, snow! At least for those who were coming from NY... After Wilkes Barre, you continued for a mini tour in the States and you met several times with the Vice President Andrea and Marco from AC/DC Italia. How many shows did you attend? How was to see AC/DC back in action after so much time? And what was your favorite show in the US?

I was travelling with Michel (another huge fan from Belgium) at the time, on to Chicago and then I continued onto New York on my own. Flying some of the time and Greyhound the others. Indianapolis was great as it was really warm there and there was also an American football game in town the day before the concert and the town was full of football fans from both teams--with NO trouble-. I saw 9 shows on this leg of the tour and it was great to see the guys again as they began to get into their stride as the tour progressed. I think my favourite show was the first show at the Garden, not only for the show, but meeting up with Arnaud (Durieux), Alex and Brian after. As you know we had a good time again lots of laughs.

Great! Going back to the AC/DC come back last year. Our Secretary General Stephano reported your presence also at the video shoot in London back in August, for the first public appearance of the band. You are everywhere! If AC/DC is doing something important somewhere in the world prepare to see Alan!! How did it go in London?

London was a bit of a panic at first because we didn't know if we were going to get 'tickets' but then we managed to be put on the guest list so all was well in the end. It was so good to see the boys and the set, but a disappointment not to be able to get to see the boys during takes. I guess we were spoilt at the ' Hard as a rock ' video shoot when we spent about 12 hours there and the guys were happy to sign autographs between takes all day. But things have changed for sure, so we have to change with them.

Then the European indoor tour began and we met again in Stockholm last February (you had skipped the opening date in Oslo!). Like us, you are a big fan of indoor shows as opposed to Stadium shows (much more intimate). As you know the best shows for AC/DC Abruzzo were, in order: Paris Bercy, Milan and Dublin O2 Arena. Which were the best shows of the indoor tour for you and why?

Stockholm was great, all that snow, as where I live in England I hadn't seen as much snow as that for about 30 years. My favourite shows in Europe (excluding UK and Ireland) would have to be Madrid, Bilbao and Milan. for me the fans were really into it and the band respond to the crowd so I must hand it to the fans.

Going back to your “career” as a AC/DC fan. How many shows did you roughly see? Which tour is your favorite? Any interesting/funny stories from the road and/or with the band members you can tell us?

I have now seen over 100 Ac/Dc shows, going back to 1978. My favourite show was in New York at Roseland (!!!!!!) when they were in town for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Again went over with no tickets and didn't know i was going to get one until the morning of the show. That afternoon we went down to the theatre to see if we could catch any of sound check. Tickets were changing hands for hundreds of dollars and I realised how lucky was I. When the boys arrived they stopped for a chat and as with Brian, a hug. Also with Ellen, which I will tell you about one day.

One really funny thing happened in Wilkes Barre. After the show myself and Michel were alking back to the hotel and were extremely hungry, to our surprise only Mcdonalds was still open so we walked round to there, as you know all of about 50 metres only to be told that we could only be served at the drive thro' as we were not in a car they wouldn't serve us. No way. We walked back to the hotel still hungry and moaning about the service. As we got to the entrance a taxi dropped a couple of guys off. I asked the cabbie if he was free, 'sure guys- where to' -- 'Could you take us to Mcdonalds' explaining our predicament. 'No problem guys in you jump' so off we go to get our Mcdonalds 50 metres away. This guy was a life saver and didn't want to charge us for the privilege. And i bet he still tells the story, as we do. There are many more to tell, but not right now as they take too long....

That's AMERICA! During the last European tour we remember we were on the same early morning flight from Milan to Budapest. You were with Michel who made you confess that you actually saw the Stones and Jimi Hendrix live back in the SIXTIES! We hadn’t slept the previous night so our recollections might be wrong? Is that actually true?

On that flight from Milan to Budapest you were in a coma I think... ah ah ah. (After 2 Milan shows in the pit with that crowd and no sleep you bet we were!) But, yes it is true that i saw Jimi Hendrix and the Stones in the 60's, so many more, Cream, 'Little Stevie Wonder', the Who, the Kinks, all the English groups along with the touring american bands on the 'stax tour' even Otis Redding and he was expensive, if I remember it was 10 shillings to see him, that's 50 pence now!! Wilson Pickett, Lee Dorsey there were so many... Remember that all these were shows where you stood and people would be dancing whilst they played. But Hendrix was special, he done things with a guitar that we hadn't seen before, I'd never seen anyone set fire to one up until then. It's not all bad being 60!

WOW! You a are a lucky man! Your biggest passions are rock music, AC/DC and football. And we know you’re a Manchester Utd fan. Last year was not very succesful, was it?

Yes I am a Man United fan and last year was not so good we only won the Premier league for the third year on the trot and also the league cup and as you are hinting at, I think , is losing in the final of the Champions League. I have had two season tickets for about 15 years now and still go to nearly every home game-560 kms round trip. We are looking forward to playing an Italian team in the final this year unless we knock them out before.

Mhm... Not so sure.... Anyway, in Manchester, after the shows you showed pictures of your grandchildren? You’re proud of them, although you told us they’re not into rock music. Tell us something about them.

My four grandchildren are a real treat to me. Three girls and a boy. 10,11,12 and 13 years old. My eldest grandaughter is a good footballer and i try to see her play whenever i can, unfortunately she is a Norwich fan. They help to keep me young and give me a lot of pleasure.

Grazie mille, Alan. Hopefully our paths will cross again at an AC/DC show. Probably in the Southern Hemisphere…

Looking forward to seeing you guys in OZ in 2010!

Alano, Michel and the Italian bosses

GET WELL BRIAN!

AC/DC Abruzzo learned about the postponing of 6 October shows in US (Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee ) due to Brian being hospitalised. Reportedly, he will get a 15-day break to get some rest before he gets back on stage for the continuation of the World Tour. From Abruzzo "Auguri di pronta guarigione a Brian".