A lot has been said and written about AC/DC over the years. Born in Australia in the 1970s, the heavy rock band has become a global phenomenon and won a multitude of fans, including the likes of Hollywood A-listers and veteran music critics alike. But where did it all start? Was AC/DC in the Sears catalog in 1978?
The answer is a definite yes. AC/DC was in the famous United States retailer’s inventory during that year. Indeed, for a few months in 1978, AC/DC’s signature rock music was two clicks away from purchase for eager teenage fans. This made them readily available to fans in the continental United States. Before 1978, their albums and singles were only sold in independent stores across the country, so this marked a big switch in terms of their music’s accessibility
The move made a lot of sense for Sears. Although the albums and singles were not sold directly by the company, they nevertheless tapped into the lucrative music market and set themselves up as an important place to find and purchase media that was previously difficult to buy due to limited availability. This also granted Sears access to a whole new demographic that craved the sounds of AC/DC – a demographic they had previously failed to engage with as rock and roll was not something they typically stocked on their shelves.
Sears realized early on that AC/DC had an incredible influence on the American youth. Their distinctive riffs and howling vocals resonated with a generation of teenagers looking to express themselves and to develop an identity of their own. Further, given the fact that AC/DC music was only available in limited places made it exclusive and special, making it a great item to stock for Sears.
To this day, Sears remains a major force in the music industry by having their own exclusive lineup of high-quality albums and singles. By seeing the potential of AC/DC in 1978, and taking advantage of a previously underserved audience, they effectively created a point of entry for hundreds of other rock, pop, and hip-hop bands who would eventually join their roster. Thus, AC/DC’s big break into the mainstream, was an instrumental move in the development of rock music as we know it.
Rise To Fame
AC/DC’s rise to fame may have been helped along by their inclusion in the Sears Catalog, but it was already in full swing by the late 1970s. They had enjoyed considerable success in Australia with their debut album High Voltage and its follow up album T.N.T., both released in 1975. The band had built up a solid base of loyal fans throughout Australia and New Zealand, with their stripped-back, hard-edged rock sound gaining lots of traction in those regions.
In 1977, AC/DC released their album titled “Let There Be Rock”, which would go on to become an international smash hit and catapulted them to mainstream recognition. Songs on the album such as “Whole Lotta Rosie” became instant classics amongst rock fans. Thus, when the band got included in the Sears catalog, that huge media coverage came at just the right time: when their fame was already well on the rise.
The move also provided the band with their first bit of international recognition. Before their inclusion in the Sears catalog, AC/DC albums had only been sold in Australia or in independent music stores in the U.S. Now, with the Sears catalog offering worldwide delivery, fans could purchase the album from all corners of the world.
Sears’ venture paid off too – the band’s single, It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll) become a big hit outside of Australia for the first time. As a result, the band gained a massive following in the US and, ultimately, worldwide.
Legacy Of AC/DC
Time has only cemented AC/DC’s legacy in rock music as an explosive force. AC/DC has released 17 studio albums, five live albums, and countless singles since the late 1970s. They have won five Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and sold over 200 million records worldwide. Even in light of the tragedies the band has experienced in recent years, their music still continues to live on and more than ever, their signature sound is seen in the rock scene.
AC/DC exemplified the gritty spirit of heartland rock music. Their intensely powerful music and remarkable endurance through the decades has helped to define their legacy. Although their inclusion in the 1978 Sears catalog sparked a new wave of their influence, AC/DC was always destined to become one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time.
The Business Side Of Rock Music
The deal between the Sears Catalog and AC/DC is a prime example of how the music industry works and why it is so competitive. Retailers like Sears look for ways to maximize their profits, and finance agreements like the one between Sears and AC/DC were seen as a convenient way to do just that. They could efficiently and successfully stock music that had wide audience appeal like AC/DC without having to buy the rights to the actual physical music itself. This allowed them to stay competitive in the ever-changing music industry.
For more established artists like AC/DC, the publishing rights also allowed for them to make more money than a record sale would at the time. This additional income allowed for the success of their albums and enabled them to live off of their art and not be burdened by finances. Accidents such as Sears including AC/DC’s music in the catalog really changed the music industry in terms of profitability and accessibility.
Though it may not have been immediately appreciated by Sears, the fact that the store chose to take a risk by signing the deal with AC/DC showed great foresight. AC/DC was not already huge, but the story clearly illustrates that taking calculated risks can pay off in a big way. If they hadn’t taken the chance, it’s hard to say how iconic AC/DC might have become. To this day, they remain one of the most successful and influential hard rock bands of all time.
Music Of The Future
AC/DC’s influence in the music industry isn’t just limited to the past. In recent years, many up-and-coming rock bands have taken inspiration from their music, as well as the approach of their business dealings with retailers. Many of these bands are innovating hard rock music, while also creating unique ways of marketing their music to the public. They are aware that the same approaches to success that enabled AC/DC’s early career could also work just as well for them.
This is evident in the way many of these newer bands are utilizing crowdfunding sites to advertise their releases and events. The goal of this strategy is simple, to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. It has become a tried and true formula for these emerging bands to gain exposure, and to connect directly with their fans. With the digital age at its peak, more and more independent artists are being exposed to more and more fans.
At the same time, AC/DC is a major influence on many of the established rock bands of today. Bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden and Alice In Chains, have all cited AC/DC as one of their major inspirations when creating and performing their own music. Therefore, the legacy that AC/DC has left in the music industry is still alive and kicking.
The Impact Of Technology
It is easy to forget that, at the time of AC/DC’s signing with Sears, the internet didn’t exist. This makes their success even more impressive, as the band’s music was spread around the world the old-fashioned way—using mail-order catalogs, radio broadcasts, and word-of-mouth. In contrast, today’s bands can rely on the internet to distribute their music conveniently and much more quickly.
Moreover, in 2018, digital streaming services have almost completely taken over the music industry. This is a clear example of how much technology has changed the way people find and listen to music. But while streaming services are great for discovering new music, they also hurt the artist’s share of the profits, and thereby create a challenge to secure
