Exact set list unknown, very similar to this.
Angus Young - Lead Guitar
Malcolm Young - Rhythm Guitar
Bon Scott - Lead Vocals
Cliff Williams - Bass
Phil Rudd - Drums
Supporting: Thin Lizzy
Promoter: Rick Kay
Capacity: 1,700
By Peter C. Cavanaugh, WTAC:
I traveled to a Detroit suburb and caught AC/DC opening for Thin Lizzy at the Royal Oak Music Theater. The Aussies were most excellent, but I noticed marked sound mix peculiarities near the middle of their scheduled set. Things were becoming unbalanced, first before my ears and then before all eyes. Out of nowhere, several security guards rushed forward and attempted to conclude the performance. It was all fiercely fast. Suddenly, the music dischordantly ceased. One uniformed enforcer made the tragic mistake of grabbing Bon Scott's arm. A violent head-butt sent the uninvited transgressor flying backward, then down and out. Chaos raged. More police poured out on the stage. The group formed an immediate protective circle, rapidly expanding as AC/DC proceeded to kick super-serious ass. Even several members of Thin Lizzy joined the fray in unrestrained rock'n roll reenforcement, advancing upon the intruders from behind. Feet flashed. Fists flew. Foreheads filled faces.
A phalanx of record company and management personnel somehow introduced themselves into the midst of the melee and separated participants, much to the relief of those few authority figures still unmarred. Confusion was abound. It was clear the group had no idea what had triggered so unpleasant an incident. The band members had reacted with instinct, not intent.
It turned out to be a noise thing.
Neighbors near the theater had been complaining. The City of Royal Oak had passed a local ordinance proclaiming any sound level over 100 decibles as "noise" and a nuisance. The "Decibel Deputy" had arrived on the scene and, standing next to the AC/DC sound board at the back of the theater, had clocked the lads at 125 and climbing. Their sound man, responding to a tap on his shoulder and barely hearing the word "LOUD" screamed into his ear, joyously responded, "Ahhhh, yeah. man! And we're just startin' to cook!" There was a firm punch for attention delivered to the audio technician's back. The "Decibel Deputy" was dropped with a heel to the heart. Three security police dragged the offender off the monitor platform and, assisted by several others, effected arrest. This is where the sound mix got screwy. They ordered the performance to stop. That's when the stage went wild. The audience was now in total uproar. Miraculously, calm heads prevailed. Charges forgotten, technician unfettered, and sound restored, AC/DC finished their set.
Excerpt from "Local DJ" by Peter Cavanaugh. Available at Amazon.com.
By gary, Shelby Township, MI:
I was at this show. Memory is a bit fuzzy, but I do recall AC/DC opening with all but Angus Young on stage. The spot light then focused to the back of the theatre where Angus Young was being carried on the shoulders of a crew member while playing guitar. He was carried from the back of the theatre to the stage.
By Bob Kowal, Clinton Township, MI:
I had not heard of AC/DC before the concert. I was three rows back near center stage. Me and my friends were thinking "These are creepy scary dudes!" lol. I do NOT remember a melee on the stage that Peter Cavanaugh describes. Around the time Bon Scott was carrying Angus on his shoulders, Malcom undid his pants and flashed some girls in the front row. It wasn't long after that that the band's sound was cut and some craziness ensues, including monitors getting thrashed about by some band members. I assumed it was because of Malcom's flashing, but apparently it was about the loudness. BTW David Lee Roth was in attendance. I saw him in the lobby and then backstage. Van Halen was playing the following night at Cobo Arena.
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