In what might be the most unusual tribute to a rock band, Australia has (in their infinite wisdom) decided to put AC/DC on official currency.

This is a quote from MusicFeeds:

AC/DC can now add ‘legal tender’ to their long list of achievements, after The Royal Australian Mint today announced two new commemorative coins in celebration of the band’s 45th anniversary.

The new coinage has been created in the spirit of the band’s hit single ‘Thunderstruck’, and some of them have actually been struck by 3,500,000 volts of artificial lightning.

There’s a new 50 cent coin available, as well as a black, nickel-plated five dollar coin, which has been made in a triangular shape in order to resemble a guitar pick.

I’ve seen bands on stamps. I’ve seen them get awards. I’ve never seen any band be honored by being placed on official currency, though I expect they’re not meant to be spent.

As a musician, I think that’s a very fitting tribute and has to be a very emotional high for the band. (To them, it’s probably the best day ever.)

With that in mind, let’s listen to a few of my favorite AC/DC songs.

That is pretty much the quintessential AC/DC song. That’s what they do, that’s how they do it, and that’s exactly what you can expect. That’s not a bad thing – that’s the AC/DC thing.

Once again, they’re not the least bit bashful about telling you what to expect from them. AC/DC is pretty good at that. They’re a fairly simple band to replicate, but they do what they do and they do it very well.

They’re going to tell you what they do and think. They’re going to be loud. They’re going to keep a rhythm. They’re going to drive the music with simple  melodies that are repeated, they are masters of the riff.

You may notice that I didn’t link their popular Thunderstruck song. It’s just not very good – even though it’s insanely popular. AC/DC is a hell of a band, and for them to be most known for Thunderstruck is actually a shame.

I will add something confusing. There’s nothing wrong if this gets ignored or edited out.

The truth is, I’m not a huge AC/DC fan, but they did some masterful things and did their thing very well. I have lots of respect for them, but I am not a fan. I probably would not attend a concert, even for free. My own opinion doesn’t make them less awesome – and they have been pretty awesome. I’m hard pressed to think of a better tribute than that done by the Royal Australian Mint.

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