AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels, a new exhibition celebrating the history, music, performance and creativity of one of the world’s greatest Rock’n’Roll bands, will open at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on 11 September 2010.

AC/DC have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide since 1975 and continue to perform and record to great acclaim. Their most recent album release Black Ice (2008) peaked at number 1 across 27 countries, selling more than 1,700,000 units in its first week. The Black Ice world tour continues to this day and has been seen by over six and a half million people.

“There is little doubt that after 35 years on the world stage AC/DC are by far Australia’s most successful and influential performing artists,” said exhibition curator Tim Fisher.

“AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels links the material history of the band to the experience of their music. The exhibition also tries to convey the place that AC/DC holds for their devoted fans.”

This first-ever exhibition about AC/DC explores the history and milestones of this phenomenal band, from their formation and early Australian chart success to their explosion onto the international stage, the sudden death of lead singer Bon Scott, and the next chapter in the group’s history with new lead singer Brian Johnson and the subsequent release of some of the biggest and most successful albums in Rock’n’Roll history.

AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels features original material never before on public display, drawn from the collection of the Arts Centre Melbourne, the band themselves, the Albert Music archives, fans and private collectors, as well as other museums including the Powerhouse.

On display will be costumes, original instruments, stage props, photographs and rare hand-written material such as letters, notebooks and lyrics. Angus Young’s Gibson guitar, ‘Super-Ang’ costume and school boy outfit, and Bon Scott’s leather jacket are just a few of the all-time favourites that visitors will see first-hand.

There will also be extensive moving image and sound material including interviews, video clips and rarely seen performance footage as well as published tour ephemera including early concert posters, programmes, backstage passes and AC/DC collectibles.

To celebrate the opening of AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels, the Powerhouse Museum will also host two special events.

On Wednesday 15 September (12.30pm – 1.30pm), Tim Fisher, Manager of Curatorial and Exhibitions Services, the Arts Centre, Melbourne, tells the story of how the exhibition was developed; augmenting the Arts Centre’s AC/DC collection with material borrowed from the band, the Albert Music archives, fans and private collectors from around the world.

On Saturday 18 September (2.00pm – .300pm), hear more about the history, career and music of AC/DC, and their rise from pub band to worldwide stadium filler, from those that have worked closely with the band. Speakers include Fifa Riccobono, former Chief Executive Officer of Albert Music and now music industry consultant; Sam Horsburgh, long-serving label manager with Albert Music (and manager of all things AC/DC); and Garry Van Egmond, one of the world’s leading concert promoters and the man who brought AC/DC’s Black Ice tour to Australia in 2010.

Both special events and the exhibition are free with general Museum admission.

Presented by the Arts Centre Melbourne and Western Australian Museum in association with AC/DC, Albert Music, Sony Music, and generously supported by Visions of Australia.

Exhibition: AC/DC Australia’s Family Jewels
Dates: 11 September – 28 November 2010
Address: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm (closed Christmas Day)
Admission: Free with general museum admission: $10 adult, $5 child/student, $6 conc and $25 family. Powerhouse Museum members and children under 5 are free.