Muslims go to Mecca. Catholics go to the Vatican. Hard Rock fans go to an AC/DC concert. AC/DC has held its fans in a religious trance since 1973, when Angus and Malcom Young founded the band in Sydney. Since then, AC/DC has sold over 200 million albums worldwide.
And now, 36 years later, the Rock ‘n’ Roll train is still rolling, with last year’s release of AC/DC’s latest studio album – Black Ice. AC/DC is currently on a marathon 18 month Black Ice world tour, which started in late 2008, and continues well into 2010.
Angus Young
Adventure travel in the Himalayas or a safari in South Africa is tame stuff, compared to the roar in the stadium as Phil Rudd gets going on the drums and the absolute frenzy that breaks out when Brian Johnson and Angus Young hit their stride. It’s an awesome experience, and if you’re not doing any concert travel, then you’ll never know what you missed.
If you want to be touched by the magic, check out the venues and dates listed below, and get yourself some AC/DC concert tickets.
AC/DC concert dates & Phil Rudd
From Dec 2-6 they’ll be holding 3 concerts in Buenos Aires, and then they hit Asia-Pacific in early 2010, with concerts scheduled for Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand; back to their roots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia; and then on to Saitama and Osaka in Japan in March.
Las Vegas has thrived on witty slogans, such as “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” “Las Vegas: What you want. When you want,” and “Your Vegas is showing.” Regardless of the vacation Mecca’s strategically contrived marketing campaigns to attract visitors, there’s never been any doubt about the uninhibited fun and exhilaration offered in Sin City.
Truly, where else can vacationers go to eat, drink, gamble, dance and mingle alongside actors (A-list to Z-list), wealthy heiresses and rock stars?
I still have very vivid memories of playing Blackjack with Jenny McCarthy, having cocktails with Dennis Rodman (when he was still in the NBA), hanging out with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails and getting a drink spilled on me by an extremely inebriated Paulie Shore. Okay, the latter wasn’t fun, but you can see the variety of celeb-types that hang out in Vegas.
If carefully planned – choosing the right place and the right time – you can “do” Vegas like a rock star and even bump into some real ones during your night out on the town. Here are some tips:
First, and most important, leave the kids at home. While it’s fun to plan family vacations, sometimes it’s essential for dads and moms to have some fun “adult” time.
Dress the part and you'll be ready to party like a rock star.
Definitely dress to impress. Many vacationers come to Vegas with nothing more than shorts, t-shirts and a pair of flip flops. While these clothes may be acceptable for an afternoon poolside, they’re definitely not for hitting the party scene. Dress codes are strictly enforced at all of the top lounges and clubs, so be sure to pack appropriately or you’ll be turned away.
Prepare to spend some money. As you might expect, living the glam life doesn’t come cheap. It takes a little bit of cash to party like a rock star. If you’re planning a vacation, be sure to bring enough of your hard earned money to make the trip worth it, otherwise you‘ll be watching other people have fun instead of having it yourself. For example, when going out to a popular club or ultra lounge, it’s best to call ahead and make a reservation for bottle service, which can cost $1,000 or more. Instead of being cramped on the dance floor, you’ll have a sanctuary to rest your feet, socialize and have some drinks without a long wait at the crowded bar. A reserved table also gets you on the VIP list so you can bypass the long line to get in the door. Reservations can be made through your hotel’s concierge desk.
Choose your vacation time strategically. Celebrities flock to popular events, such as concerts, big ticket boxing bouts, club, hotel or restaurant openings, holidays, etc. Plan ahead by checking the Las Vegas calendar for upcoming events.
Stay at a “hot” hotel. Celebrities love the Palms, Hard Rock, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and Caesar’s Palace and Venetian. If you plan on having a rock star vacation, you’re probably not going want to book the local Motel 6. See tip number two.
Nothing compares to the nightlife in Las Vegas.
Ask around for the night’s hot spot. The place to see and be seen varies from night to night. On some nights it may be Lavo at Palazzo and on other nights it might be Tao at the Venetian or XS at Wynn. Sometimes celebrities host parties at nightclubs, so inquiring can direct you to the best place.
Now that you have your tips, remember to let your inhibitions go. You’re on vacation in Vegas, so live a little. It’s time to momentarily forget about the kids, work, etc. and let loose and truly party like a rock star. That also means you should be prepared to stay out all night long. Don’t worry; you can spend the following day resting by the pool.
Photos by Las Vegas News Bureau and Barbara Kraft.
