AUTOPISTA HACIA EL INFIERNO - First Exit: Barcelona!

BARCELONA, PALAU ST. JORDI March 31, 2009

SETLIST:

1. Rock'n'roll Train
2. Hell ain't a bad place to be
3. Back in Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds
6. Shot Down in Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hell's Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Anything Goes
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. TNT
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let there be Rock
18. Highway to Hell
19. For Those About to Rock

AC/DC ABRUZZO OFFICIAL REPORT

Despite the serious "technical difficulties" experienced by AC/DC Abruzzo in the past two weeks, we finally made it to Barcelona, Spain to witness one of the best shows of the European tour. Stefano and Matteo were in very good company yesterday night. Andrea from Città Sant'Angelo (The City of Angels of Abruzzo), Vice President and new member of the AC/DC Italia staff, was in the Palau Jordi with us. We salute him!!

The Barcelona crowd was wonderful. "Strong but gentle". Probably the best audience after Milan and Paris so far (we are eager to see what happens in Madrid!). The band was in brilliant shape after the 4 day break due to the postponing of the Zurich show. All of them. Angus seemed not to care much about celebrating his birthday on stage. He just wanted to give the audience a great night of rock'n'roll. And he did it. But the highlight of the night for AC/DC Abruzzo was the superperformance of Brian Johnson. Never seen anything like it. And never imagined we could see anything like it. He was running, jumping and screaming like he was possessed by the Demons of Rock'n'roll. Something we got to see on some video bootlegs from the 80's. He must have swallen one of those magic Hammersmith 2003 pills. Or maybe just ate some good paella and/or jamòn iberico... Overall this was the best performance of the band after Milan and Dussendolf.

We can't wait for tomorrow's night. And now we go out for some bocadillos and cerveza... 

Ciao from Madrid!

ZURICH SHOW CANCELLED/POSTPONED!

We learned that the Zurich show has been cancelled/postponed  due to technical difficulties. Thank you to Marco, Andrea, Gabriele and Fabien for letting us know.

UPDATE:

from AC/DC.com

PLEASE NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the March 29, 2009 show with AC/DC at Hallenstadion in Zurich has been postponed. The new Zurich show date will be announced shortly. All tickets will remain valid and cannot be refunded.
We apologize for the short notice.

Short notice????????

SPECIALE MIT EN GRIT CON ROCCO 'N' ROLLO !!!!

Rocco 'n' Rollo è indiscutibilmente una delle maggiori guide spirituali e ispiratrici del progetto di AC/DC Abruzzo. E' un'icona dello spirito abruzzese verace abbinato alla chitarra (sia elettrica che con le pallottine!!!)

Lo staff al completo ha avuto l'onore di incontrare lo storico rocker di Cocullo, dal cuore forte e gentile, dalla tempra granitica e dal carattere abbruzzesissimo al concerto degli AC/DC (Assiddissì, in losangelino) di Milano del 21 marzo. Questo incredibile ed imprevisto evento ci ha rinvigoriti nel cuore e nello spirito e ci ha dato un nuovo slancio nel nostro proposito di essere forieri nel mondo del vero spirito abruzzese, utilizzando il rock'n'roll come strumento privilegiato per raggiungere questo obiettivo!

Ecco in esclusiva per voi le foto esclusive e il video del mit en grit storico di AC/DC Abruzzo con Rocco 'n' Rollo!!! 

PAUAAAA!

Rocco con il Presidente Matteo e il Segretario Generale Stefano (ex-inviato speciale) di AC/DC Abruzzo prima del concerto degli ASSIDDISSI' a Milano il 21 marzo 2009

Rocco con il consulente informatico Gianni e il Vicepresidente Andrea

VIDEO ESCLUSIVO PER AC/DC ABRUZZO!!! 

FROM OUR BUDAPEST BUNKER

AC/DC Abruzzo has spent most of the last 48 hours in its Budapest post-sovietic bunker sorting out hundreds of photos, videos and planning the strategy for the 3 shows before the break. It's definitely not an easy job but someone has to do it. The accounting situation was another delicate issue on AC/DC's Abruzzo agenda. The recession forced us to skip the 2 German shows and left us in this Hungarian "limbo". We are struggling to find a way out.

Yesterday night, we visited an old friend of ours, Isti, met in England in 2001. We ended up drinking local Hungarian wines (and liquors) with other friends while watching this video about this WW2 tank on display that was unexpectedly started by protestors during a demonstration a few years ago.

Apparently, young Hungarians really get excited watching this.  Much more than watching porn, which is supposed to be one of the main products of Hungary. Porn has probably lost all its appeal due to the fact that you can find porn dvds, wrapped in red plastic, even in supermarkets here in Budapest.

Some of you asked why we listed the Abruzzese hit "Vola Vola" in our poll on the songs you would like to hear live. The reason is that some people claim that if you play certain parts of some specific Black Ice tracks backwards you get to hear this song. Apparently it is a tribute to Abruzzo by Angus and co. We don't know if this is true but 11% of respondents would like to hear AC/DC playing this song! Here's a classic version of Vola Vola for those who don't know it with a promotional clip of our beloved Abruzzo!

It ain't easy

Livin' like a gypsy

Tell ya honey how i feel

I've been dreamin'

Floatin' down the streamin'

Losin' touch with all that's real

(Steven Tyler - MAMA KIN - 1973)

Finally, Happy Birthday from AC/DC Abruzzo to Steven Tyler, personal friend of Brian and of the band, who celebrates his 61st birthday today!

OUR FIRST TIME WITH ANGUS AND MALCOLM!

I was shakin' at the knees
Could I come again, please?

As some of you already know AC/DC Abruzzo met Angus and Malcolm several times during the European tour. And each time was unique and special. But the most intense was definetely our first time. In Bruxelles, Belgium twenty days ago....

When we first spotted Angus we immediately experienced sudden tachycardia. Angus was extremely kind and polite with us. He signed our AC/DC Abruzzo Official flag and took pictures with us. He listened to every word we had to tell him. We thanked him heartedly for this European tour which we are following with dedication. He looked happy for us. Unfortunately, on our first encounter, there was no opportunity to give Angus a present from Abruzzo like we did for Brian but this will be arranged later on.

Malcolm was also very friendly and took pictures with us. We talked a little bit more with him and told him how much we missed them in the last 5 years. He replied that they missed us too. We mentioned the 2003 Hammersmith gig, an epiphany for us, which he remembered and commented briefly. Malcolm looks very professional and concentrated even when he meets fans. At times he looks a bit intimidating but he's always very friendly and kind.

Beside that this is what we felt after the meeting with Angus: the President's legs started shaking when Angus was seen approaching us and kept shaking for 5 more minutes after he left. On the other hand, the Special Envoy felt like crying while hugging him before the photo, intensely but gently, like a child would do with his favourite and beloved Teddy bear.

Meeting the Young brothers for the first time is a unique experience. Especially Angus who has been always an icon! Just thinking of what he has done for music and rock'n'roll for the past 35 years gives you goosebumps. But when you shake his hand and talk to him, for the first time, looking at him in the eye you really feel something special and indescribable. You feel Rock'n'Roll!

PAUA!!!!

THE ITALIAN FANS SALUTE AC/DC

Last Saturday before the second show in Milan AC/DC ITALIA's Staff Gabriele and Marco awarded AC/DC with a commemorative plate on behalf of all Italian fans. AC/DC Abruzzo's Vice President Andrea was also present at the historic event.
This gesture summarizes the Italian passion and gratitude for AC/DC's music and live tours.

THE AWARD CEREMONY ON AC/DC ITALIA.COM

BUDAPEST SHOW

Yesterday it was a cold and rainy night in Budapest. Great show although it was clear to us that the band was a bit tired (especially Brian). Probably because of the frantic Milan weekend... More details soon.

AC/DC Abruzzo staff really feel TANDE STRACC (very tired) after 12 shows. We'll now take a few day break resting and relaxing in our Budapest headquarters, sorting out hundreds of photos, videos and working on the missing reports for our fans. 

Next show for AC/DC Abruzzo will be Zurich! 

Arpurtetem'.

AC/DC SALUTE THE ITALIAN FLAG!

AC/DC ABRUZZO would like to ask all our fans and supporters to send us photos and videos (links to YouTube etc.) of all the European shows (we've been to 12 so far) and especially Milan where you can see our Italian flag (the same one you get to see in the ANYTHING GOES official video!). All the pictures and videos will be posted on our Facebook group. GRAZIE!!!!

acdcabruzzo@gmail.com

AC/DC Abruzzo chiede a tutti i suoi fan e sostenitori di inviare foto dei concerti e i video (Youtube etc.) in Europa (12 finora) e a Milano in cui si vede la nostra bandiera Italiana (la stessa che appare nel video ufficiale di ANYTHING GOES). Tutte le foto e i link verranno postati sul nostro Gruppo Facebook. Grazie!

acdcabruzzo@gmail.com

AC/DC ABRUZZO IN BUDAPEST!!!

AC/DC ABRUZZO arrived today in Budapest. We have all sorts of muscular pains and more bruises than after the Paris show... But we are content.

At the airport we met two of the most hardcore AC/DC fans who checked our copy of Arnaud Duriex's biography in Italian to see if everything was in the right place. It's great to be on the road with these people, with so many rock'n'roll stories... One of them even confessed us that he saw the Rolling Stones in 1963 in UK in his teenage... !?!?!? It's only rock'n'roll but we like it, yes we do!

Here's for you a videoclip of Highway To Hell at the Forum in Milan last Saturday. Amazing performance. And look at the audience!!!

MILAN MAR 21, 2009

It's official: tonight's crowd in Milan was the best of the entire European tour! The band looked even surprised by the energy of the Italian crowd! Reports, pics and videos coming soon.

Congratulations to AC/DC Italia for their good work today! They reaped the results of their hard work and dedication thruout the last six years. We salute them!

As for AC/DC Abruzzo, this was our 11th show in this European tour. Sometimes we feel weak, tired and even a bit discouraged. But seeing Angus on stage everynight, coming from the train with his uniform gives us the energy to continue with our rock'n'roll journey. Especially after 5 year of waiting. Rock'n'roll is not only about the music. It's also about a lifestyle. It's about having the balls to swim against the tide and do things ordinary people will never understand.

LI CHIACCHIERE SE LE PORT LU VENT!

See you in Budapest!

MILAN, ITALY second night

THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES!

AC/DC Abruzzo has been listening to For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) the all morning in our Milan headquarters as suggested by one of the biggest AC/DC  fans (and mentor) we have met so far in Germany.  It is the perfect way to start your day when you're on tour with AC/DC.  We also took some time to listen to "The Night of the Long Knives" while drinking a good bottle of Franciacorta Millesimato 2003 wine.

During these three days we have met lots of our friends, supporters, fans and colleagues from all over the world. We all agree the the Milan show was the best of the tour so far. We're now ready for another big dose of rock'n'roll!!!! Tonight!!!

LOAD UP YOUR CANNONS FOR A 21 GUN SALUTE!!!!!

Mo jom a lu cuncert!!!

MILAN, FORUM March, 19 2009

FANTASTICO! BELLISSIMO! MERAVIGLIOSO! SPLENDIDO! In Abruzzese: "FREGNISSIMO"!!!! These are the first words that come our mind after tonight's legendary show in Milan.

AC/DC performed in Italy in front of one of the best crowds of the entire world tour. No dout about it. AC/DC Abruzzo was present with all its staff at the show for the first time. Gianni, Andrea, Stefano and Matteo! And AC/DC Italia was there too. We had a blast together!

In the meantime we will get some rest watching the new AC/DC video clip filmed in Paris in February which was released today for the new single Anything Goes. After the Rock'n'Roll Train video, shot in London in August, AC/DC Abruzzo is featured again in an official AC/DC video!!!

(2 min 26 sec in)!

AC/DC BACK IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!

'"Cause rock has got the right of way. 

We ain't no legend, ain't no cause. 

We're just livin' for today. 

For those about to rock, we salute you"

AC/DC Abruzzo have just arrived in Milan. Tomorrow AC/DC will play for 15000 crazy Italians who have waited for almost 8 years to see Angus & co again on stage. It will definetely be one of the best shows of the tour. We are thrilled. AC/DC Abruzzo will be part of Rock'n'Roll history again.

PRAGUE, March 17, 2009 O2 ARENA

SETLIST:

1. Rock'n'roll Train
2. Hell ain't a bad place to be
3. Back in Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds
6. Shot Down in Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hell's Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Anything Goes
14. You Shook Me All Night Long
15. TNT
16. Whole Lotta Rosie
17. Let there be Rock
18. Highway to Hell
19. For Those About to Rock

AC/DC ABRUZZO OFFICIAL REPORT

After a one week break AC/DC is back in action. Prague proved to be the perfect place for our comeback on the road. It's a real rock'n'roll city. Great food, great beer, nice architecture and gorgeous women! The same women most Italians (and Europeans) know from the work of another important Abruzzese artist, moviemaker and actor, who worked a lot in this city and whose name is Rocco too... Eh eh eh.

THE SHOW

AC/DC Abruzzo arrived at the O2 arena at around 7pm and thousands of people were still in line waiting to get in. The reason was the unprecedented security measures implemented at the Czech arena. It seemed like we were at the Heathrow airport before taking a flight to the the US. There were scanners and metal detectors at all the entrances. Security guys bodysearching everybody and voices over the PA system saying that "all cameras are strictly forbidden and bla bla"... We have never seen anything like that before.

Inside, the O2 arena was probably the most technologically advanced arena we have seen so far in Europe (an in the US too). The bar codes on the tickets were to be used also to go to the toilet! The Czech were really zelous, sometime overzelous, and looked very professional in their suits. They looked very smart and professional but they were not as effective as they looked...

The venue was one of the biggest we've seen so far and it was packed! Including the standing area! It was difficult for us to reach the AC/DC Abruzzo spot in front of Angus on the right but we finally managed to get there.

THE PERFORMANCE

The band was in great shape as usual. Some minor mistakes by Brian during Dirty Deeds and the Jack probably due to the headphones problem he has had since the beginning of the tour, as he told us in Stockholm (he sang TNT with the headphones in his hands). Angus looked particularly energetic and determined often showing his stiff upper lip... He had a different tie and longer hair. We also noticed that his legs that are getting bigger, with strong muscles, probably because of the constant duckwalking... Maybe he's taking protein... Who knows? Anyway, he moves much faster than at the beginning of the tour.

As for the audience, we were very disappointed at the beginning because the older people were completely "stationary", even in the GA section. Thank God during Back In Black we managed to reach the "teenage area", closer to the stage. And there we had a good time with the kids! Lots of Polish people in the crowd. Several flags ended up on stage but only one was picked up by Brian and the used as a towel... (???)

For AC/DC Abruzzo the highlight of the show was Shoot To Thrill. Great performance with some great improvisation.

We salute you!

AC/DC Abruzzo

Rock'n'Roll city

Hockey player and horny skater

Rock'n'roll Manager

O2 airport scanner

AC/DC ABRUZZO NIGHT IN PRAGUE

AC/DC Abruzzo Czech's fan

With Phil (Don Peppino)

Wth local old school rockers

Lu magnà!

AC/DC Abruzzo wishes to thank Don Peppino, our man in Prague and old friend of ours, who took us to some nice places yesterday night. We will take him to the concert tonight to return the favour! ROCK ON!

AC/DC ABRUZZO IN PRAGUE

AC/DC Abruzzo has just arrived in Prague! Time for a beer...

ROCCO 'N' ROLLO - BOB DYLANA e THUNDERSTRUCK

"Scine però acclamete, sennò che cazz' ce venet affà?!?"

Sappiamo già che il grande Rocco'n'Rollo, la chitarra granitica del Gran Sasso, ha suonato nel corso della sua trentennale carriera anche con gli Assiddissì (losangelino per AC/DC -vedi post precedente). Non sapevamo però che avesse influenzato anche il corso della storia del rock'n'roll incontrando un giovanissimo Bob Dylan (al secolo Roberto Dilana) quando ancora viveva nelle campagne abruzzesi. Ecco il suo racconto:

AC/DC Abruzzo, ha poi appreso, grazie a alcune indiscrezioni trapelate nella rosticceria di Franc Lu Zizzon', noto ritrovo di rocckettari abruzzesi, che Rocco ha ispirato indirettamente la composizione di Thunderstruck degli AC/DC. 

Questo incredibile scoop di AC/DC Abruzzo è corroborato da testimoni oculari. Secondo i loro racconti, nel 1989 Brian Johnson si trovava in Abruzzo alla sagra della "pecora alla callara" (a Rocca Pia, nell'Aquilano). In quell'occasione pare che Brian abbia incontrato Rocco 'n' Rollo completamente ubriaco, con alcune groupie locali, nel bar della piazza dopo aver suonato come headliner alla sagra del paese. Durante l'incontro si narra che Brian riconobbe immediatamente il Rocker di Cucullo e salutandolo gli chiese come stesse. Rocco gli rispose in losangelino stretto:

A Braiàan, sting tande stracc! Mi so sdraiate du amplificator massèr (Brian, sono molto stanco! Questa sera ho bruciato due amplificatori)

Secondo i racconti Brian fu folgorato dalla musicalità delle parole "TANDE STRACC" (molto stanco) e menzionò queste parole durante una conversazione con i fratelli Young. Le due parole furono magistralmente trasposte nell'inglese "Thunderstruck" e così nacque una delle migliori canzoni degli AC/DC. 

FACHIN PAUER!!!!

EXECUTIVES MEETING IN ABRUZZO!

AC/DC Abruzzo's President and Vice-President met yesterday in the Abruzzo's general headquarters in order to set out the strategy for the the next shows. On top of the agenda were the two Milan concerts and the partnership with AC/DC Italia, whose importance was defined as crucial. The works continued during the "business dinner". The main dish was supposed to be "arrosticini" (one of the most delicious Abruzzo specialties) accompanied by excellent Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. However, there was a last minute change in the menu and we opted for an exquisite home-made pizza with beer (thanks to Alessandra).

The meeting was very fruitful. All the details cannot be revealed at the present time, however, these will be the next shows that will be attended by AC/DC Abruzzo:

17 Mar Prague CZ O2 Arena
19 Mar Milan IT Datch Forum
21 Mar Milan IT Datch Forum
23 Mar Budapest HU Papp László Sportarena

SALUTE!