BRIAN'S MESSAGE + UPDATE ON THE PHOTO BOOK

Tomorrow, 15 August, it's the second anniversary of AC/DC's comeback after 5 years of waiting. Exactly 2 years ago the whole band met in London for the video shoot of the Rock'n'Roll Train video with a few lucky fans from all over the world. We were there. And that was just the first step of an incredibly long trek around the world with AC/DC. And the beginning of our blog...

To celebrate this anniversary tomorrow we will post a special video message from Brian to our blog readers from our first meeting with him, which definitely inspired all our adventures around the world in the last two years. "The Founding Principles of AC/DC Abruzzo". See you tomorrow!



UPDATE OF AC/DC ABRUZZO PHOTO BOOK

Since we had so many exclusive photos and material from the Black Ice tour we decided to opt for a bigger format and make a real deluxe limited edition coffee table book (30cmx25cm), similar to the huge BackTracks book. The AC/DC Abruzzo Photo Book will be ready in September and started to be delivered in October.

You can preorder your copy for €65+ S/H by using the PAYPAL button below or by contacting us via email to this address for other methods of payment.

acdcabruzzo@gmail.com

AC/DC BLACK ICE WORLD TOUR Photo Book + Shipping/Handling

Photo Book + S/H Europe €77,00 Photobook + S/H USA & Canada €82,00 Photobook + S/H Rest of the World €85,00 Photobook + S/H Italy €75,00

AC/DC BLACK ICE WORLD TOUR Photo Book + Shipping/Handling

Photo Book + S/H Europe €77,00 Photobook + S/H North America €82,00 Photobook + S/H Rest of the World €85,00 Photobook + S/H Italy €75,00

AC/DC and THE INFINITE POWER OF ROCK'N'ROLL

PERTH, Australia March 9, 2010

AC/DC Abruzzo: Hi Angus, we just wanted to thank you for this amazing tour. It's been fantastic!

Angus Young: Thanks. You're Abruzzo, aren't you? (smiling)

AC/DC Abruzzo: ... :O

This was the last meeting with Angus in Australia. We also met him in Europe in 2009 and 2010, but in Perth for some reason, it was something special. In Australia you can feel the presence of Bon and the true essence of AC/DC more then anywhere else... It was one of those unforgettable moments of this tour that we'll treasure forever.

Unforgettable. Just like when we met our good friend Yann from France outside the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on June 28 before the show. He explained to us how AC/DC Abruzzo had been important for all those hard core fans who had managed to follow the tour thanks to us. He showed us he was literally having goosebumps thinking of what we had accomplished on behalf of the fan community, in the name of AC/DC and Rock'n'Roll...

When we think about moments like these, about Angus' smile or Yann's grateful look, about all the wonderful memories we've gathered during the tour and about all the support messages we've received from all over the world in the last 20 months, we get the confirmation that this was the right thing to do in this moment of our lives.

And we also got some tears in our eyes when we realized that the dream from the London Hammersmith show in 2003 finally came true...

Thank you AC/DC!

London, Hammersmith Theater October 20, 2003 - The soundcheck - The first Rock'n'Roll epiphany

London, Hammersmith Theater October 21, 2003 - A few minutes after the gig -The genesis of the dream

With young Orangus - The Ticket Master

THE FUTURE OF AC/DC ABRUZZO - THE AFTERMATH

"We've been around the world. We've seen a million girls..."

What now? This has been the most recurring question since the last show in Bilbao. Before wrapping up with AC/DC Abruzzo Blog and posting the exclusive message of Brian Johnson for our readers as we've promised, here's an update about the boys of AC/DC Abruzzo and about some of our craziest friends. What happened to them?

THE SECRETARY GENERAL

Back in Roseto degli Abruzzi he's now looking for a job as a sommelier in a luxury hotel/restaurant. He's seriously considering to work at the local Ritz...

THE VICE PRESIDENT

He's back in Città Sant'Angelo. He got back to his full time job at Villa Serena, the famous mental institution of Abruzzo. His dream is to solve his conflict of interest like Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi did and become President of both AC/DC Italia and AC/DC Abruzzo.

ORANGUS

He's back in Milan to his mysterious underground career. He finally bought a new GPS device to avoid getting lost and arriving late to concerts. He's convinced there will be another tour in 2013.

MARCOM from AC/DC Italia

He's back full time to his family business flying back and forth to the US and Italy selling "technological" socks. He's seriously considering our offer to leave AC/DC Italia and join AC/DC Abruzzo. An offer he can't refuse...

MARK from Vancouver (aka BigJack5)

Back to his furniture business and rock'n'roll family in Canada. He secretly hopes the next album will be recorded in Vancouver again. He's still shocked by the fact that the Abruzzo region really exists...

(SHOOT TO) PHIL from Belgium

Got engaged to French "inflatable" Rosie, whom he met at the after show party in Paris last month. They moved to the Loire Valley and now live happily together. This broke Orangus' heart.

UNCLE MICHEL and NONNO ALAN

Michel is back to his real job and family guy life. He's got now plenty of time to print silly t-shirts (which is his favourite hobby). Rock'n'Roll Nonno got back to his grandchildren and his passion for sports. He couldn't resist the temptation to visit Abruzzo and booked a flight to Pescara for August 5.

AND THE PRESIDENT?

Well, the President has been working around the clock on his "legitimate" business as well as on the AC/DC Abruzzo photobook for the last 3 weeks. He got a third job too, just to try to make ends meet. He's started showing strange bipolar/schizophrenic symptoms (something similar to Jack Nicholson in The Shining). The next AC/DC Abruzzo meeting will probably be organised by the Vice President at the Villa Serena hospital... Just in case...

The dark side of the President

"FAREWELL TO THE BLACK ICE TOUR"

What we had feared a few seconds after the end of For Those About to Rock in Bilbao has become official, as stated by the official website (acdc.com).

July 9, 2010

After criss-crossing the globe for over 20 months and playing to over 5 million people, AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour came to a close in Bilbao, Spain on June 28, 2010. The Black Ice World Tour took AC/DC to 108 cities in over 28 countries. AC/DC kicked off the tour on the heels of releasing their critically lauded album Black Ice, which soared to the #1 spot on album charts in over 29 countries around the globe. The Black Ice World tour was heralded by fans and critics alike, with the Chicago Tribune calling it “a celebration of all that is great about rock ‘n’ roll,” calling the band’s music as “Rock 'n' roll that outlasts time.” Earlier this year AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour won a Pollstar Award for Major Tour of the Year.

Yes. According to Pollstar it was the major tour of the year with 1.8 million tickets sold. "No other act has reached 1 million. The band has grossed $177.5 million.". Pretty impressive....

So what now? ... ... We probably need a few more days of reflection...

AC/DC Italia in tears after the Bilbao show

The Vice President trying to fight post-tour depression with irony and sarcasm

The Secretary General feels lost...

The stoic melancholy of the President

THE KOSP ITALIAN SEDUCTION SCHOOL

Ok. We admit we haven't being doing our homework in Europe on this last leg of the tour... The thing is we got spoiled in Australia with too many girls, to the left and to the right... In Europe it's just harder to pick up. It's a fact. Besides, the Kosp apparently got into a serious monogamous relationship and even KK has slowed down his rockstar lifestyle. So we were left without mentors. But we promise we will get back to our training. Now that the tour is over we have plenty of time...

Most of the readers of the blog that we've met during the European Tour 2010 surprisingly told us that they really appreciated the suggestions from the KOSP. So here's a special technique for you developed during the tour.

THE AC/DC ABRUZZO'S PEACOCK ITEM

"PEACOCK—verb: to dress in loud clothing or with flashy accoutrements in order to get attention from women. Peacocking items include bright shiny shirts, light-up jewelry, feather boas, colorful cowboy hats, or anything else that makes one stand out in a crowd." from THE GAME

Believe it or not, the famous AC/DC Abruzzo flag, which has accompanied us around the world for almost 2 years during the Black Ice tour has also served the purpose of "peacock item". On several occasions we managed to pick up girls who got charmed by our Italian/Abruzzo flag, before and after the show (and even during the show). Girls (and sometimes even guys) cannot resist the temptation to make a comment about the flag so they initiate conversation. This is also an IOI (ie. an indicator of interest). After this you just have to employ the techniques you learned from the Kosp and KK to build attraction and to CLOSE the deal... The best time is after the show because you can take advantage of the post-concert euphoria... Unfortunately, now that there are no more AC/DC shows you will have to use your peacock item (flag, devil's horns etc.) at local cover band gigs...

Norwegian girl wrapping herself in the flag after the show...

French girl grabbing the flag at the Stade De France in Paris (later on the big screens during the Jack)

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end?? (part 7)

"Nobody is gonna slow us down"

This was probably the most intense and powerful song of the Bilbao show. The last "Highway to Hell" of the Black Ice tour... We had to use the Devil's fork for this special occasion (Brian loves it!)

In the last few days we've been trying to accept the idea that the tour is over. Not easy. We'll give you an update on what happened to the crazy Abruzzo crew, including Orangus.

And we also have a special surprise from Brian himself. So stay tuned!

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end?? (part 6)

"That boy has got the DIABLO in his fingers"

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end?? (part 5)

During The Jack (with local groupie on the shoulders)

(Photo courtesy of Wholelottamonkey)

On the screens

The next generation of AC/DC fans wants more...

(Photo courtesy of uncle Michel)

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end?? (part 4)

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (We Salute You)

Last song of the Black Ice Tour

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end?? (part 3)

THEY SAID: LET THERE BE ROCK...

... AND THERE WAS ROCK!!

Angus's last epic solo in Bilbao...

AC/DC Live 28 June Bilbao, ES San Mames Stadium - THE END (part 2)

Setlist:

Rock'n'Roll Train

Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

Back in Black

Big Jack

Dirty Deeds

Shot Down In Flames

Thunderstruck

Black Ice

The Jack (incl Angus strip)

Hells Bells

Shoot to Thrill

War Machine

High Voltage

You Shook Me All Night Long

TNT

Whole Lotta Rosie

Let There Be Rock

Highway to Hell

For Those About To Rock

AC/DC Abruzzo Official Report

This is it. The Black Ice Tour is officially over. After 2 days from the final show in Bilbao it's still hard to accept it for AC/DC Abruzzo. The Secretary General realised it was the end when he woke up alone in his hotel room in Bilbao the day after the show. The President as soon as his plane touched ground in Rome. The Vice President when he put the Black Ice Album in his cd player after coming back to Abruzzo yesterday. Orangus... well, Orangus disappeared again...

The last concert in Spain acquired a symbolical meaning for the hard core fans maybe even more than Glasgow 2009, Perth 2010 or Wilkes Barres 2008. And most of them were at the show... In the end, although it might have looked like the same AC/DC show it wasn't. You could tell the band put some extra energy on stage for this final gig. And it was probably one of the best performance of the 2010 tour. Just take a look at the video below...

The San Mames stadium is a small and very old soccer stadium, around 40k people of capacity. And it was totally sold out for the show. It was hard even to see people selling tickets outside. It is in the city centre of Bilbao, so just imagine all the streets totally jammed with crazy Spanish fans drinking beer and doing botellon (less than in Seville though). And a lot of noise and pre-AC/DC concert chaos... (which we'll miss...) It reached the peak one hour before the show, since the Spanish fans prefer to go last minute... Total confusion outside...

But we got in and managed to make our way through the standing section. We ended up on Cliff's side, the classic AC/DC Abruzzo's spot, together with Marco of AC/DC Italia. And we watched the whole show jumping and shouting with the other fans. It was a very good crowd, not as hyperactive as for the best indoor venues in 2009 (i.e. Bercy, O2 Dublin or Milan forum) or Donington but it was pretty good anyway! Jumping, pushing and some crowd surfing too... As said before the performance of the band was one of their best.

It was a great night of rock'n'roll... Stay tuned because tomorrow we'll post more stories and two exclusive videos from the final show of the Black Ice tour in Bilbao...

BILBAO 2010 - Is this the end??

Many of the hardcore fans that we've met around the world gathered yesterday in Bilbao to attend the last show of the Black Ice Tour. For most of them, and for most of our readers, the big question is: is this AC/DC's last tour? Is this really the end? The truth is nobody knows the answer. Maybe not even the band. The only certain thing is that Bilbao 2010 will be remembered as another milestone in AC/DC live career. AC/DC Abruzzo was there and with the next posts we will tell you more about it.

PHOTOGALLERY

AC/DC Live 26 Jun Seville, ES Olympic Stadium

Spaghetti alla chitarra

Setlist:

Rock'n'Roll Train

Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be

Back in Black

Big Jack

Dirty Deeds

Shot Down In Flames

Thunderstruck

Black Ice

The Jack (incl Angus strip)

Hells Bells

Shoot to Thrill

War Machine

High Voltage

You Shook Me All Night Long

TNT

Whole Lotta Rosie

Let There Be Rock

Highway to Hell

For Those About To Rock

From the Secretary General's Private Journal

I arrived to Seville from Germany the day before the show. The President has been travelling by himself for the last few shows. Basically he's been flying in and flying out just like AC/DC, except he doesn't have a private jet... Not yet, at least...

Seville, in certain areas, really looks like Naples. I loved it! Maybe a more laid back version of the Italian city, but it definitely looks like the south of Italy. Naples had been ruled for a long time by the Spanish, so the similarity is historically understandable... So everything is more dysfunctional than the rest of Europe, from Taxis to bars... And you get the feeling that legality is not a prerequisite... Speaking English here is counterproductive so I used Italian and dialect. Body language was also very useful to communicate with locals.

The President arrived from Pisa, Italy a few hours before the show with Uncle Michel. I heard they had organised a stopover in Italy to have a good Italian meal (seafood). Bastards... I only had two lousy sandwiches for lunch...

After hiring an illegal taxi (impossible to find taxis were before the show) we arrived to the Stadium. Outside the sight was quite peculiar. Lots of people cooking and selling barbecue meat and "home made" cocktails (the infamous "Botellón"). Fans were wearing all sort of bootleg t-shirts but it was too late to buy them because they had been already confiscated by AC/DC security (It has been pretty hard on this tour to get "non repetitive/monotonous" t-shirts like the BACK IN... series...). The show was great. The crowd was extremely loud but it wasn't moving a lot. Still they were jumping a lot, even between the songs and very far from the stage. Ironically, there were more people in the back of the standing section than in front. The performance of the band was impeccable as usual. It's hard to believe that the end is getting near....

Ciao from Bilbao...

Linguine ai calamaretti

Uncle Michel at work

Cacciucco

Cannolo Siciliano

Ingredients for the botellon

R'n'R train

Let There Be Rock in Seville

PHOTOGALLERY from Seville!

Hottest show of the 2010 tour. Around 40 °C. It felt like Australia again... Great energy from the boys and from the Spanish crowd... Here's a few pics. Report soon!

The fourth generation of AC/DC fans is ready to rock!

Spanish sausages before the show

Black Ice in Seville

Braianno

Angusso

AC/DC Live 22 Jun Berlin DE Olympic Stadium

Setlist:
Rock'n'Roll Train
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Big Jack
Dirty Deeds
Shot Down In Flames
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack (incl Angus strip)
Hells Bells
Shoot to Thrill
War Machine
High Voltage
You Shook Me All Night Long
TNT
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Highway to Hell
For Those About To Rock

AC/DC ABRUZZO OFFICIAL REPORT

Berlin Olympiastadion. Another majestic footbal Stadium filled to the brim with AC/DC fans. Together with the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, The Wembley Stadium in London or the Stade de France in Paris it is one of our favourite rock'n'roll outdoor venues. Fantastic audience!

Maybe the germans didn't move too much during the show but they definitely sang pretty loud. 2 more show and then everything will be over!

See you in Spain!

PHOTOS HERE

WARM UP PARTY in PANKOW

A big fan gathering took place the night before the show organised by the German fan clubs. Due to the tour commitments we had the time just to stop by late at night and say a quick hello to some friends. Shame we missed the cover band who apparently played very well! But we had fun anyway...