A CIGARETTE WITH ANGUS YOUNG IN ZURICH!

Angus Young with fans (talking about Imola and the 2016 tour)

After attending 30 shows out of 30 played by AC/DC during their Rock or Bust World Tour), travelling for tens of thousand of miles, from Coachella to Europe and while waiting for the kickoff of the North American Tour on 22 August, we want to share the story of one of our last meetings with legendary Angus Young...

Despite the huge success of the last AC/DC tours, Angus Young has remained humble, very kind and (almost) always available and accessible to fans, especially those who showed loyalty to the band and to AC/DC in the past. And believe us, he's got an amazing memory to remember fans and small details!

We witnessed his extremely friendly attitude with all fans asking for a photo or an autograph on many occasions. Every meeting with him is unforgettable but hat happened in Zurich was unique, even for us who met him several times, from Brussels to Sydney, from London to Imola.

After the cigarette in Perth in 2010 and in London in 2014 we were blessed with another incredible opportunity to spend time with this Rock’n’Roll legend, during one of his frequent "cigarette breaks".

Special gift to Abruzzo

A CIGARETTE WITH ANGUS IN ZURICH! 4 June 2015

Angus spent more than 30 minutes outside his hotel, signing autographs and chatting with us and another half dozen fans. He was very cool, true rocker attitude and seemed to enjoy talking about life, music, food, AC/DC. Everything! What was even more striking was his asking many questions to us!

(After signing and chatting the cigarette was lit…)

Matteo Abruzzo: Angus, thanks again for this tour. It’s been amazing so far. We started in Coachella and came all the way to Zurich. We cannot stop!

Angus Young: Yes, Coachella. I think I saw your flag there too…

Matteo Abruzzo: LOL It was important for us to be there on your official come back, after 5 years and after all the challenges you and AC/DC had to overcome… In may case I had to fly for 16 hours but it was totally worth…

Angus Young: 16 hours?!

Matteo Abruzzo: By the way Italy is waiting for you! Apparently the concert in Imola will be the biggest AC/DC concert in Italy ever. They claim they have sold more than 90,000 tickets…

Angus Young: That's good! (Angus puffs on his cigarette) But I wanted to ask you, what is Imola? Is it a racetrack?

Matteo Abruzzo: Yes, it is! Just like Hockenheim.

Angus Young: I wonder... Is it long or wide?

Matteo Abruzzo: It should be long. Generally it’s long, it’s not very wide. But they change the venue. They sold out all tickets in one week and there are lots of people still looking for tickets. You should play two concerts… ... Maybe next year…

Angus Young: (Everybody laughs. Angus giggles) You should talk to Brian… You know I play the guitar but Brian has his voice as musical instrument… And he likes it is at its best…

Matteo Abruzzo: Brian already said no! He told us several times he’s too old and can’t go on. He started in Stockholm in 2009! But maybe he will change his mind... He likes to complain and be dramatic. It must be his Italian DNA...

Angus Young: (giggles)

Matteo Abruzzo: But this tour my impression is that even his voice is great. Not as good as at the beginning of the Black Ice Tour but still excellent.

Angus Young: Yes, its very good!

Matteo Abruzzo: Angus, it’s important that you explain to him that he has to go on because it’s important to us, as fans. Not only for AC/DC and for the music, but also for the fans!

Angus Young: Absolutely.

Matteo Abruzzo: We will tell him later on. We have a bottle of one of his favorite wines from his selection of wines (pointing his finger at Stefano)

Stefano d’Abruzzo:Yes! Barolo from my personal cellar!

Angus Young: Barolo... But tell him “don’t drink it on work day! Not before singing” (Angus giggles)

(everybody laughs)

Another cigarette with Angus

German fan: What do you think of playing stadiums? Do you feel the energy of such large crowds?

Angus Young: Of course! And when I don’t feel it enough I do like this (Angus does the typical “I can’t hear” gesture)

(everybody laughs)

Matteo Abruzzo: I think one of the best crowds was in Paris.

Angus Young: It was very big on the Saturday night (23 May) And the last show in Madrid too. It was very powerful! Even before we came on stage!

Matteo Abruzzo: But we also need you to go in Argentina again. So we have the excuse to go there! We missed Argentina during the Black Ice tour!

Angus Young: Oh, you missed Argentina?! (Angus giggles)

Matteo Abruzzo: Oh yes, we were already in Sydney preparing the Australian tour. We did 11 shows in Australia! All of them!

Angus Young: I would play everywhere they tell me to play. I would love to go back to Argentina...

Matteo Abruzzo: Yes, the audience is crazy there. They jump like crazy during the show. In Europe is different, especially in countries such as Germany...

Angus Young: Yes, and they hold their phones. I was talking to Ellen about all those lights I can see from the stage while playing. What are they? Are they glowsticks? And she told me, no Angus, they are mobile phones... (Angus giggles) ... There were many in Paris and I see all these lights... (Angus giggles) ... In Madrid there were less...  It's actually a great sight from the stage...

Matteo Abruzzo: And maybe after you can come to Abruzzo and play a show there too (playfully said)

(everybody laughs)

Angus Young: Abruzzo is in the South of Italy, isn't it? Do you have the sea?

Matteo Abruzzo: Of course! We have the Adriatic sea there! Lots of beautiful beaches!

Angus Young: Well, that's a plus. I like water... After this tour is over... I might go...

Matteo Abruzzo: We have great food. Nature, people. Also some mafia and crooked politicians...

(everybody laughs)

Angus Young: eh eh... I stay away from them... (he puffs on his cigarette)... I always wanted to play the guitar. I never got involved in any politics... .... ...

At this point Angus starts talking about politics, rock'n'roll and the early days... Honestly, we get distracted by looking at this minute man talking and smoking realizing he happens to be one of the greatest living legends in the history of rock'n'roll.... Despite playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people he still remains humble and down to earth making feel each fan special. A great man!

After other photos, signatures etc. Angus lights another cigarette and spends more time with us talking about everything, from the Champions League final to next Australian tour. He thens joins his wife and says bye bye. We cheer him clapping hands. Another memorable story to remember!

 Sons of a devil

Our photo book signed by Angus
BUY YOUR COPY HERE:
 www.acdcphotobook.com

Warsaw, POLAND – Stadion Narodowy 25 July 2015 - PART 2

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

THE ORANGUS' TRAVEL DIARY - WARSAW PART 2 - UPDATE

Yesterday I was so euphoric for my record that I forgot to mention that the band actually changed the setlist and played Have a Drink on Me before Shot Down in Flames. Maybe it was a mistake like they made in Dessel when they played Sin City before YSMANL, or maybe it was planned. Who knows? Anyway, different setlist!

Some other technical points. Although, I became almost deaf because of so many AC/DC shows, I could still notice that acoustics in the front of stage area were a disaster. In the Warsaw Stadium there was a sort of roof (made of some soft material, apparently) which probably made the sound even worse. I decided to move to the left during Back in Black. Brian was clearly tired but it is difficult for me to assess his performance due to the bad sound. The band played better towards the end. I didn't like the first part of the Angus solo in LTBR as much as the other days but the second part was incredible! The audience was better than in Scandinavia.

I had back pain for almost 2 days and it was difficult for me even to stand. But when the music starts, I get healed, forget everything, and it's groundhog rock'n'roll day all over again!

See you in Foxborough! 

Warsaw, POL – Stadion Narodowy - ORANGUS' RECORD! 25 July 2015

AC/DC Abruzzo's Special Envoy Orangus made it to Warsaw - 28 AC/DC concerts in a row!

Warsaw, POLAND – Stadion Narodowy 25 July 2015

1. Rock or Bust

2. Shoot to Thrill

3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

4. Back in Black

5. Play Ball

6. Dirty Deeds

7. Thunderstruck

8. High Voltage

9. Rock 'n' Roll Train

10. Hells Bells

11. Baptism By Fire

12. Shook Me

13. Sin City

14. Have a Drink on Me 

15. Shot Down in Flames

16. TNT

17. Rosie

18. Let There Be rock

19. Highway to Hell

20. For Those About to Rock

THE ORANGUS' TRAVEL DIARY

I HAVE MADE IT! 28 AC/DC CONCERTS IN A ROW! 86 AC/DC CONCERTS IN TOTAL!!! I only skipped Coachella. Crappy audience. .. Too many girls there! A place for Matteo Abruzzo, not for me! 17 European capitals! Plus Glasgow, Barcelona etc etc.

Humid and rainy day but another great performance of the band. I got soaking wet, almost like after the second show in Zurich. The band played another killer show. 

Anyway I'm too busy looking for flight tickets for the USA. In a month I'll be in America for more AC/DC show with the rest of the crew! What do I do for a living? I follow AC/DC on tour.

Thank you AC/DC Abruzzo and the rest of the crew for supporting me on this crazy tour. 

PS I broke up with my girlfriend as soon as I got back to Italy after seeing a picture of her wearing an Aerosmith t-shirt... I can't stand Aerosmith... F**K THEM!

Back to Warsaw!

Let There Be Rock

Sin City

Orangus' ex girlfriend 

Hämeenlinna, FIN - Kantolan tapahtumapuisto 22 July 2015

Back in Finland

1. Rock or Bust
2. Shoot to Thrill
3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
4. Back in Black
5. Play Ball
6. Dirty Deeds
7. Thunderstruck
8. High Voltage
9. Rock 'n' Roll Train
10. Hells Bells
11. Baptism By Fire
12. Shook Me
13. Sin City
14. Shot Down in Flames
15. Have a Drink on Me
16. TNT
17. Rosie
18. Let There Be rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock


THE ORANGUS' TRAVEL DIARY

The last train number I took in Finland was Number 999 and it was marked as going to HELL-SINKI. How can't you love Finland?

It was a great show but it was clear that the band really needs a rest. During Sin City, Brian gesticulated showing the usual "technical problems" with earphones etc. 
Angus changed the LTBR solo again. Magnificent!

Concert started at 9.30 instead of 9. I missed my train but managed to take one at 1.30.
In the morning I woke up and went straight to my first Finnish sauna. Unfortunately, it was for men only. They say there are also mixed saunas with naked women as it is scientifically proven that at that high temperature it is virtually impossible to get sexually aroused.. Mhm... Anyway, Finnish sauna was nothing special. Actually, I sweat more at an AC/DC concert. 

In Helsinki I went to another concert: a Japanese pianist in a church. The following day my flight to Warsaw as making a stopover in Riga. I took the opportunity to visit the old town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage...

Angus on fire

Classical Music

Rock'n'Roll Train

Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden, 19 July 2015 - AC/DC ABRUZZO REPORT

Stockholm 19 July, 3pm

Phone call

Stefano D'Abruzzo: Orangus, where are you? In which museum are you?

Orangus: No museum today. I need food. Help me find some steamed rice.

Solna, Sweden, 19 July 2015

1. Rock or Bust
2. Shoot to Thrill
3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
4. Back in Black
5. Play Ball
6. Dirty Deeds
7. Thunderstruck
8. High Voltage
9. Rock 'n' Roll Train
10. Hells Bells
11. Baptism By Fire
12. Shook Me
13. Sin City
14. Shot Down in Flames
15. Have a Drink on Me
16. TNT
17. Rosie
18. Let There Be rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock

We have lots of memories in Stockholm. It was that where we met Brian and Cliff and ended spending two hours with them in 2009...

We couldn't miss this show. Stefano D'Abruzzo flew in from London and joined Orangus for his 26th show in a row.

Wine and Rock'n'Roll

Stefano's Report:

Cloudy grey day in Stockholm. The city centre is almost empty. All the best gourmet restaurants are closed in summer. What a shame! I have my lunch at Vapiano.

Lots of scalpers around and for the first time non official t-shirt sellers all over the place. Orangus and I agree to meet at 7pm at the central train station. He arrives with a 20 minute delay, on foot, with his inseparable GPS device. He looks in good shape but he lost some weight from Belgium, He complains about the Chinese food he had to eat. He will have digestion problems... His breakfast consisted of three pieces of apple pie.

in the metro Orangus befriends other Swedish fans. They look at him with curiosity and interest. A bit puzzled maybe.

We get to the venue. It's an indoor arena, it reminds me of the London O2 arena. We enter 15 minutes before the beginning of the show, Orangus' style. Before AC/DC, 3 Rolling Stones songs are played: Lets spend the night together, Jumping Jack Flash and I don't remember the last one.

We are in the "Orangus zone" pretty far from the stage, but in the Front of Stage section. Orangus is pretty determined to reach 100 AC/DC shows by the end of the US tour...

The concert starts 3 minutes earlier. Of course Orangus notices it and tells me. The Swedish audience is calm and collected. Not much alcohol, to my surprise. Of course no moshpit nor pogo.

Angus starts pretty fast and energetic. Brian looks a bit tired, his voice seems less powerful than usual. 

Orangus starts his tribal jumping dance, bare chested. The Swedes look at him in shock. He continues for the whole show. I filmed him during YSMANL and will share the video later on. Best songs of the concert: Sin City, Rock n Roll train, High Voltage. Angus is covered in sweat (more than usual) during LTBR. 

You could tell the band is a bit tired. The break after Warsaw will be good for them.

During FTATR I realize this is my last European show...

When going back to the station Orangus would complain about Swedish museum. He also tells me secret stories of some of his women worldwide...

My flight back to London will take me back to work. On the agend a wine tasting by Emidio Pepe, one of my favourite wine producers.


The Orangus Travel Diary - 26th show in a row

I just meet some Swedish girls and I am too busy for a report... 

Orangus' new friends

Oslo, Norway, 17 July 2015 - The Orangus' Travel Diary

Stranger at a train station: -Do you believe in Jesus?

Orangus: - No, I believe in AC/DC.

Orangus: 25 AC/DC shows in a row!

Oslo, Norway, 17 July 2015 

1. Rock or Bust
2. Shoot to Thrill
3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
4. Back in Black
5. Play Ball
6. Dirty Deeds
7. Thunderstruck
8. High Voltage
9. Rock 'n' Roll Train
10. Hells Bells
11. Baptism By Fire
12. Shook Me
13. Sin City
14. Shot Down in Flames
15. Have a Drink on Me
16. TNT
17. Rosie
18. Let There Be rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock


Last time AC/DC played Oslo on 30 May 2010 there was an unexpected change in the setlist with the band closing the show with Highway to Hell instead of For Those About to Rock. A pretty rare gem for "concert collectors" like us...

After more than 5 years the greatest band in the world is back in Norway for another big dose of rock'n'roll for our Scandinavian friends.

Oslo, Norway, 17 July 2015 - The Orangus' Travel Diary

Orangus before the Oslo show

Orangus after the Oslo show

Oslo is a really nice city. After all Norway is the richest European country. Just like Abruzzo is the richest African country. The front of stage section was not open tonight, just like in Germany. But instead of receiving a wristband they would mark you with a red magic marker, like cattle. The FOS was almost empty so I could jump as much as I wanted without getting disturbed by others. 

Brian was in good shape. He skipped the first lyrics of TNT and he looked a bit tired, particularly in Shot Down in Flames. Actually the whole band seemed a bit tired between Hell's Bells and YSMANL. Angus changed the second solo during LTBR, on the amps, one of the best solos of the tour. By the way, today he was wearing his brown suit with a green cap and a green tie.

Green cap and brown jacket for Angus

Let There Be Rock!

Norwegian friend of Orangus promoting our book

ROSKILDE, DENMARK 15 July 2015

-What's your name?

-Orangus

-Where are you?

-Near an AC/DC concert

-What's the date today?

-I don't know

Roskilde, Denmark, 15 July 2015 

1. Rock or Bust
2. Shoot to Thrill
3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
4. Back in Black
5. Play Ball
6. Dirty Deeds
7. Thunderstruck
8. High Voltage
9. Rock 'n' Roll Train
10. Hells Bells
11. Baptism By Fire
12. Shook Me
13. Sin City
14. Shot Down in Flames
15. Have a Drink on Me
16. TNT
17. Rosie
18. Let There Be rock
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock

With Matteo Abruzzo and Stefano D'Abruzzo out of the game, paying the consequences of their 17 AC/DC shows, the only Abruzzo man who can afford to be still on the road is Orangus...

THE ORANGUS' DIARY - 24th concert in a row

From Essen in Germany I had to take several trains to get to Copenhagen. it was a nightmare. I had to take 4 trains and all of them were delayed. I had to change connections and then one hour by boat. But I made it to Copenhagen safe and sound. Some people complain about Italian trains. I prefer to complain only about Italian people... Don't take trains in Germany.

I started losing awareness of the reality, sleeping in youth hostels, waking up in different countries and eating apple pies, the only suitable food for this lifestyle and for my food allergies. Good! That's rockn'roll.

I spent the whole day of the show in Copenhagen, contemplating the beauty of the little mermaid (although I don't like women exposing their breast in public) and a couple of local museums. I made a quick Skype call to Stefano in London just to check the quality of the Museum wifi connection. 

Scandinavian beauty

Italian beauty (in a museum before an AC/DC show)

On my way to Roskilde the first train stopped after 1 km. There was a mechanical failure with an another train on the same line. I lost almost an hour. But I got to the venue while Vintage Trouble were still playing, earlier than usual.

Inside there was a large FOS section where I could enjoy the show and jump as much as I liked, and comfortably. 

The show started well then there was a problem with the beginning of High Voltage (as usual), maybe it was because of Angus. Then we got the best Rock'n'Roll train of the whole tour. And from that moment there was a crescendo. Top performance.

Ironically, In the audience there were more colored people than in all the 81 AC/DC shows I've seen in my life. Interesting. But the crowd was a disaster. People were sleepy almost for the entire show. I can't believe these are the heirs of the glorious Vikings. Too much feminism, gay rights and woman emancipation CENSORED - CENSORED - CENSORED. The only crazy fan jumping for two hours was me, an heir of the glorious Longobards, Orangus!

IMOLA 2015 - The Aftermath 

7 days from the Imola show... A night which 92,000 Italian fans will not forget easily...

Angus on fire

IMOLA: The aftermath + Gelsenkirchen Report (Orangus' Travel Diary)

Imola: Rock'n'Roll Marathon

We have to admit we didn't expect such a large and excited crowd in Imola last week. We received messages and photos of friends who had been queuing up at the venue from 8 o'clock in the morning! The dedication of Italian fans was unprecedented in this tour! We are not talking about people who wanted to make it to the pit. We are talking about the majority of the audience (92,000 people officially confirmed) who was filling up the venue many hours before the beginning of the show... Another peculiarity was the fans' age: never seen so many teenagers and youngsters in their early 20's at an AC/DC show during this tour... There is hope for the future!

The Next Generation of fans

After surviving the big organization mess at the end of the Imola show (traffic jams until early morning, people stuck in never ending lines etc) Matteo Abruzzo made it back to Abruzzo. Stefano D'Abruzzo went back to London. But Orangus kept hitting the road in his legendary voyage around Europe and made it to Gelsenkirchen for his 23rd AC/DC concert in a row. He was there with Francesco Marche, another new entry in the exclusive club of hard core crazy AC/DC fans...

Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, 12 July 2015 - THE ORANGUS' DIARY

1. Rock or Bust

2. Shoot to Thrill

3. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

4. Back in Black

5. Play Ball

6. Dirty Deeds

7. Thunderstruck

8. High Voltage

9. Rock 'n' Roll Train

10. Hells Bells

11. Baptism By Fire

12. Shook Me

13. Sin City

14. Shot Down in Flames

15. Have a Drink on Me

16. TNT

17. Rosie

18. Let There Be rock

19. Highway to Hell

20. For Those About to Rock

The only flight I found was arriving at 4pm from Milan and the only free hotel room was in Essen. So I landed in Weeze, took the train to Essen, checked in, took another train to Gelsenkirchen. I was at the venue at 7.30. I was in the arena around 8 as I had to take care of some business before. It was a covered arena, very nice venue, but the acoustics were not satisfactory for those on the seats. Brian looked pretty tired but it was another great show. Francesco said he liked this show more than Imola. The venue of course was better. Now I have to run to catch the trains to Copenaghen...

Orangus