Nuno Bettencourt believes AC/DC songs are impossible to play correctly.
During a new episode of The Jay Jay French Connection, the rocker advised musicians, especially guitarists, to keep their personal style and not to copy others. He used AC/DC as an example, saying:
“I think that’s what musicians, guitar players — anybody — needs to know. It’s just like, man, there is only one of you. Nobody can do what you do. Guitar players used to laugh at playing AC/DC songs. Try to f*cking play the intro of a song, I don’t give a f*ck if it’s ‘Back in Black’, or whatever it is — it never feels the same as Angus or Malcolm doing it.”
He continued:
“Try to do a solo that he does; you can feel the wood on the guitar when he does it on that SG. When people play it, they just play it. We’re not supposed to play solos, we’re supposed to feel solos, we’re supposed to feel the song.”
Bettencourt Thinks Technical Skill Is Not Enough
Nuno used AC/DC as an example once more before while talking about the artistry of simple rock songs. He discussed why Neil Peart couldn’t play AC/DC songs like Phil Rudd. Using AC/DC as an example, he explained how simplicity and musical pauses can make a song powerful:
“They’re in an arena, the spaces are massive – it’s the power within the spaces and the power within that the pump of it all. And the drummer Phil Rudd is not Neil Peart, but Neil Peart could probably not play that pocket like Phil Rudd does.”
He explained that his statement wasn’t criticizing Peart’s ability but was about different styles:
“I always get into trouble when I say these things. Like what I said about Slash playing Rihanna stuff, people think I’m saying that Slash couldn’t play what I played with Rihanna. No. People think I’m saying right now that Neil couldn’t play an AC/DC song. No. That’s not what I’m saying.”
Bettencourt finally added:
“What I’m saying is if you ask the two artists or even ask a Slash or you ask a Neil Peart about a simpler player… I can play an Angus Young solo – I can learn it verbatim. But do you think I can make it feel like that? And make it as raunchy as his personality? Not in my f*cking lifetime.”
In his chat with French, Bettencourt also said solos should fit the song without taking over lyrics, melody, or rhythm. He warned against ego ruining the music flow, comparing a solo to a sudden interruption. Bettencourt believes real art is about the music, not just showing off.
You can watch his full interview below.