Blimp Time-Hop: AC/DC’s Two Night Stand At CCCC

31 years ago today, AC/DC played the second of two sold-out nights at the Civic Center.  These shows are particularly historic for me because they were my first shows with the Thundah from Down Undah.

On May 4, 1988, AC/DC rocked Portland on the Blow Up Your Video tour for night two. Just like the first night, the show opened with a missile rising out of the stage and Angus Young jumping out of it and rippin’ the opening licks to Heatseeker. What an entrance!

And I can’t quite remember whether it was night one or night two that I first met the band. At that time, Simon Wright was on drums and Stevie Young on guitar. Stevie, who is Angus and Malcolm’s nephew, was filling in for Malcolm (for the first time) who was taking a break from the tour due to health issues. Stevie is a great guitar player and his hair was about the same length as Malcolm’s, so I don’t think many Blimpsters noticed.

The setlist was the same as night one, but if we were lucky enough to be there for both shows, we had no complaints about hearing these same great f-in’ songs again!

Watch Angus’ heat seeking missile entrance on stage in May of ’88! "Get Ready to Rock! Get ready to Roll!"

Pardon me if you’ve heard this quick story already. I tell it alot. Backstage after the show, I had the privilege sitting and chatting with Angus good long time. He gave me a fancy European cigarette and we talked and laughed. I don’t remember what we talked about but I do remember the feeling of “bro-ing out” and smokin’ butts with Angus. Holy crap dude! Worth repeating, right?

Here's another one of the wicked killah new tunes we heard live for the first time at those shows!