The iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, became the epicenter of a monumental rock and roll convergence Friday night, October 2, when Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl made a surprise guest appearance alongside legendary hard rock titans AC/DC. Grohl, a lifelong devotee of the Australian powerhouse, joined the band to perform their seminal 1979 anthem, "Highway to Hell," a moment that sent shockwaves of excitement through the sold-out crowd and reverberated across the global music community.
The unexpected collaboration unfolded midway through AC/DC’s electrifying set. AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson, a figure synonymous with raw vocal power and stage charisma, addressed the roaring audience, setting the stage for Grohl’s imminent arrival. "A very good friend of ours asked us tonight if he could come and join us up on stage for ‘Highway to Hell’," Johnson announced, his voice carrying over the din. "And we said, ‘Yes, Dave, you can.’" The simple, yet loaded, statement was met with an eruption of cheers and anticipation, as fans knew they were about to witness a truly special performance.
Grohl, a towering figure in modern rock music in his own right, emerged onto the stage with an infectious grin, instantly conveying the profound personal significance of the moment. His presence alongside AC/DC, a band that has profoundly influenced his own musical trajectory, was a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll and the deep respect that exists between generations of musicians. The fan-filmed footage of the performance, which quickly circulated online, captured the unbridled energy and pure joy that permeated the stadium as Grohl, a formidable drummer himself, embraced the role of lead vocalist for one of rock’s most recognizable tracks. His passionate delivery, coupled with AC/DC’s signature thunderous riffs and unwavering rhythm section, created a visceral experience that honored the spirit of the original while infusing it with Grohl’s own distinctive intensity.
This serendipitous encounter was a direct result of a scheduling shift necessitated by inclement weather. AC/DC’s initial performance at MetLife Stadium, originally slated for Sunday, September 25, was postponed due to a severe nor’easter storm that swept through the region. In a testament to the strong camaraderie within the rock scene and the flexibility of modern touring, Foo Fighters, who were already booked as the support act for the rescheduled date, found themselves not only opening for their idols but also sharing the stage with them. This wasn’t the first time Foo Fighters had stepped in to support AC/DC on their current tour. Less than a month prior, on September 8, the Grohl-led outfit had opened for AC/DC in St. Louis. This St. Louis engagement also came about due to unforeseen circumstances, with Foo Fighters filling in for the originally scheduled opener, The Pretty Reckless. The latter’s absence was due to lead singer Taylor Momsen’s commitment to join the surviving members of Soundgarden during the halftime show at the Seattle Seahawks’ home opener on September 9.
The St. Louis opening slot was particularly poignant for Dave Grohl, who articulated the deep-seated impact AC/DC has had on his musical journey. In a heartfelt statement released at the time of the St. Louis booking, Grohl recounted a formative childhood experience that ignited his passion for rock and roll. "I remember it like it was yesterday… It was AC/DC’s 1980 concert film ‘Let There Be Rock’ that truly introduced me to the raw, primal power of rock and roll performance for the first time," Grohl shared. He vividly described attending a midnight screening of the film at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C. with his childhood friend, Larry Hinkle, at the tender age of eleven.
Grohl’s description of the film’s impact was nothing short of revelatory. "Watching from the edge of my seat the entire time, it was like nothing I had ever experienced before," he wrote. He was mesmerized by the sheer intensity, swagger, groove, and palpable danger emanating from the five musicians on stage. This experience, he explained, fundamentally altered his perception of what a live performance could be. "My mind was blown. Melted. Changed forever. And my heart felt like it might explode with passion and inspiration."
The "Let There Be Rock" film became a blueprint for Grohl’s own aspirations in music. He articulated a philosophy of relentless performance, stating, "From that night on, the bar was set exceptionally high. If you were a drummer and you didn’t have to change your snare drum between songs from pummeling it to splinters, you weren’t hitting it hard enough. If you were a guitarist and you didn’t need oxygen on the side of the stage between solos, you weren’t playing hard enough. If you were a frontman in a band and you weren’t drenched in sweat by the end of the show, you weren’t giving the audience what they deserve." He concluded this deeply personal reflection by acknowledging that his own high-octane stage presence, characterized by aggressive drumming and energetic guitar work, was a direct response to the awe-inspiring fury of AC/DC. "All I have ever wanted was to someday live up to the awe inspiring fury of AC/DC, live onstage (an impossible task, by the way)." He declared the current opportunity to share a stage with the band that inspired him so profoundly a "dream come true."
This profound connection between Grohl and AC/DC has been a recurring theme in his public discourse. In a March 2021 interview with "Anders Båtters Tiny TV," Grohl recounted the story of his first actual meeting with members of AC/DC, an encounter facilitated by none other than Paul McCartney. Grohl was attending the Grammy Awards, where he was presenting an award. McCartney, also in attendance, invited Grohl and Foo Fighters bandmates Pat Smear and Taylor Hawkins to join him and his wife, Nancy, for dinner after the ceremony. During their post-Grammy plans, McCartney happened to encounter members of AC/DC at a hotel. A spontaneous invitation was extended, and Paul McCartney relayed the offer to Grohl. This led to a remarkable evening where Grohl, who had idolized AC/DC since childhood, found himself sharing a meal with the very musicians who had shaped his musical destiny.
Grohl reiterated the pivotal role of "Let There Be Rock" in his formative years during this interview. "When I was maybe – I don’t know – 10 years old, I went to see that movie ‘Let There Be Rock,’ the [AC/DC] live concert film, in a movie theater," he explained. "This is before I was punk rock. That was the first time I saw a performance and heard music that made me wanna fucking break something. And still to this day, I use that as reference for how I like to play a show. I wanna be like AC/DC ‘Let There Be Rock.’ That’s a live band." He described the surreal nature of finally meeting his heroes, calling the impromptu dinner and subsequent gathering, which even featured a jazz band, "one of the greatest nights of my entire life."
The depth of Grohl’s admiration for AC/DC was further underscored by a heartfelt tribute he posted on social media following the death of founding rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young in November 2017. In this poignant message, Grohl once again referenced the transformative experience of seeing "Let There Be Rock." He wrote, "37 years ago, my friend Larry Hinkle and I went to see a midnight movie on a Friday night at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C. It was 1980. We were 11 years old. The movie was ‘Let There Be Rock.’ And it changed my life." He lauded the film as the definitive example of live rock and roll: "Sweaty. Loose. Loud. A relentless performance from the perfect band. It was the first time I lost control to music. The first time I wanted to be in a band. I didn’t want to play my guitar anymore, I wanted to smash it." He concluded by expressing his gratitude to Malcolm Young for "the songs, and the feel, and the cool, and the years of losing control to your rock and roll."
The St. Louis and East Rutherford appearances highlight a broader trend of intergenerational respect and collaboration within the music industry, particularly in the hard rock and heavy metal genres. When established legends like AC/DC face touring challenges, bands like Foo Fighters, who have achieved massive success while often citing the older bands as influences, are often willing to step up. This not only provides valuable support for the touring veterans but also offers a unique platform for younger audiences to be exposed to the seminal artists who paved the way. The fact that Grohl’s band was available and willing to fill these crucial opening slots speaks volumes about the enduring legacy of AC/DC and the genuine appreciation felt by contemporary artists.
Foo Fighters’ latest studio album, "Your Favorite Toy," released in April via Roswell Records/RCA Records, has been met with critical acclaim. The album was co-produced by Foo Fighters and Oliver Roman, with Roman also handling engineering duties. Mixing was completed by the renowned Mark "Spike" Stent. The release of "Your Favorite Toy" coincided with the launch of Foo Fighters’ extensive "Take Cover" world tour, a global trek that underscores the band’s continued commitment to live performance and their dedicated fanbase. The successful integration of Grohl’s guest spot with AC/DC on their tour further amplifies the visibility and cultural impact of both acts, solidifying their places in rock and roll history. The St. Louis and New Jersey shows, while born from logistical necessity, ultimately served as powerful testaments to the enduring power of AC/DC’s music and the profound influence they continue to exert on the artists who carry the torch of rock and roll forward. The shared stage between Grohl and his idols at MetLife Stadium was not just a musical performance; it was a symbolic passing of the torch and a vivid illustration of the continuous evolution and enduring appeal of hard rock music.
