AC/DC Australia's Family Jewels

AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels is developed and presented by the Arts Centre, Melbourne and the Western Australian Museum in association with AC/DC, Albert Music and Sony Music. It is the first and only fully endorsed exhibition to bring to life the history, creativity and power of one of the world’s greatest bands, and to link this history to the experience of their music.

The exhibition was inspired by the band’s own mantra – that they have only ever played ‘good, hard rock and roll’ – and by their extraordinarily productive work ethic that includes over 18 original albums and 60 substantial tours to every part of the world. We believe that AC/DC now commands a level of respect that is as unprecedented as it has been hard won; and AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels pays due regard to this achievement.

This celebratory exhibition is packed with over 400 items, including photographs, instruments, over 35 years of gig posters from shows staged around the world, programmes and show tickets, letters and lyrics, personal memorabilia and costumes. The extremely rare costumes include one of Angus Young’s schoolboy outfits and the home sewn ‘Super Ang’ costume, complete with gold and red satin cape dating from 1975. Also on display are Bon Scott’s own Highway to Hell sweatshirt and his last leather jacket.

Interspersed throughout the exhibition are screens and projections showing over three hours of ‘live’ footage, video clips and interviews, all charting the history of AC/DC. Starting with the iconic clip of the band playing It’s a Long Way to the Top on the back of a flat bed truck while driving down Swanston Street, Melbourne in 1976, and ending with the ‘main stage’ screen showing footage from AC/DC’s iconic ‘Monsters of Rock’ shows at Castle Donington.

AC/DC in concert

“Black Ice” Barcelona, 2008

Photograph Courtesy: Timm Nüchter (www.stonebreaker.eu)

AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels treats our popular history seriously, and hopes to provide an opportunity to recognise the significance of AC/DC and their place within popular music culture. The exhibition also aims to entertain, to show our visitors a good time, and allow them to make up their own minds as to why this band is special to them. To this end the exhibition also provides a space for visitors and fans to leave a paste-up message or favourite memory on the I LUV AC/DC notice board.