The Reason Angus Young Hated The Ramones

Rock and roll thrives on simplicity and power, and AC/DC has perfected that blend. With their straightforward approach, they’ve shaped the sound of hard rock, paving the way for bands like Metallica and Green Day. Yet, Angus Young, AC/DC’s legendary guitarist, wasn’t exactly thrilled with the new waves of rock that emerged alongside their success.

And why would he be? AC/DC’s approach has always been, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” sticking to a formula that worked like magic for them. As new bands popped up, Young, ever the rock purist, wasn’t too impressed with what he saw.

Angus Young’s Opinion About Led Zepellin

His critique began with none other than Led Zeppelin. To Young, Zeppelin seemed to mimic rock and roll rather than ignite its true spirit. Despite Led Zeppelin’s immense popularity, they were often called out for underwhelming live shows, and Young wasn’t buying into their style either.

Then came punk rock, a movement that seemed a natural cousin to AC/DC’s raw, hard-edged sound. With their fast riffs, gritty energy, and loud guitars, bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash might have seemed like kindred spirits to AC/DC. But not to Angus Young.

His Remarks On The Ramones

When asked about the Ramones, he famously remarked:

“The Ramones, I only heard them once; I heard a song, and it did nothing. It seemed to me like the first band I was ever in, and I’m sure even that was better – and was when I was 12.”

While the Ramones were hailed for bringing a fresh simplicity to rock, Young felt it was nothing new, just a rehash of what bands like The Small Faces had already done. To him, punk rockers were borrowing the rough edges from bands like The Faces and making that their entire identity.

“They can do all that, it’s pretty easy for a guy to go up there and do all that, but they can’t play,” Young argued, critiquing not just the music but the lack of real musicianship in punk rock.

Despite his criticisms, Young never shied away from his own quirky, over-the-top performances. His stage presence turned him into a rock and roll legend, far surpassing the raw antics of punk bands. While punk rock was about grit and rebellion, Angus Young was all about proving his mastery as a true rock musician.