October 28, 2008
Filming those about to rock with AC/DC

Documentary will showcase the band’s rabid fans

By Christopher J. Hughes chughes@timesleader.com
Online Editor

Departing from major U.S. cities such as Kansas City, Mo., Atlanta, Ga., and New York, groups of faithful AC/DC fans hit the road as early as Friday morning. Their target: Wilkes-Barre and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Loading...


click image to enlarge

The AC/DC Black Ice world tour officially launches at the Wachovia Arena on Tuesday.

COURTESY photo

Members of the AC/DC Rock N Roll Caravan arrived at Kirby Park on Saturday, where they traded in directions to Northeastern Pennsylvania for passes to a dress rehearsal show being held in the area Sunday night at a location revealed only to ticketholders. The caravan members will later become part of a much larger fan documentary led by producer/director Saul Levitz.

In a recent phone interview from his home in Los Angeles, Calif., Levitz said the fan documentary will likely fall between “Heavy Metal Parking Lot” and “Detroit Rock City,” films that examine what it means to some to be a fan. Members of the caravan were asked to document their love of AC/DC by showing off their memorabilia, taking footage from the road and documenting the purchase of the band’s latest album, “Black Ice,” which is exclusively available at Wal-Mart stores and acdc.com.

“It’s part self-documentary, part interview and part madness on Sunday. We’ll take these ingredients and play with them,” Levitz said. But the music video and documentary director said this project is more about the people than it is the band they support.

“It’s about the fans and AC/DC’s impression on them. Men, women, old, young – all kinds of people rally around the band. After the concert, I want to be out in the parking lot, not backstage,” he said.

The cast of eight main characters, Levitz’s hand-selected caravan leaders, each has a story to tell. One is a drummer in the AC/DC tribute band Live Wire. Another says the band pulled her out of depression after her husband’s death in 1976. Still others wear their love on their sleeves (or backs) with tattoos dedicated to the group.

“It’s about music in general and what it can do, but this is an extreme case because these fans are insane,” Levitz joked.

The yet-untitled documentary is scheduled to be on the band’s next live DVD, according to Levitz. The AC/DC Black Ice world tour officially launches at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township on Tuesday.

For more information, visit acdcvan.com or acdc.com.


Most Viewed Entertainment Stories in Past 7 Days

1. Jon & Kate plus great debate
2. Police: TV pitchman Billy Mays found dead at home
3. Events
4. Sacajawea dollars gleam like so much gol
5. VIDEO RELEASES
6. Def Leppard, Cheap Trick and Poison join forces at Montage Mountain
7. They’ll be trotting out a longhorn
8. Teen group to take part in ‘High School Musical II’

Most E-Mailed Entertainment Stories in Past 7 Days

1. Def Leppard, Cheap Trick and Poison join forces at Montage Mountain


The Times LeaderThe Weekender - NEPA's #1 Arts and Entertainment WeeklyThe Abington Journal - Serving the Clarks Summit area of Lackawanna CountyThe Dallas Post - Serving the Back Mountain of Luzerne CountyThe Pittston Dispatch - Serving the upper Wyoming ValleyEl Mensajero - El Ășnico semanario Hispano de noticias en el Noreste de Pennsylvania.
The Times Leader Scranton Edition - Serving all of Lackawanna CountyThe Hazleton Times - Serving all of Southern Luzerne CountyThe Tunkhannock Times - Serving all of Wyoming CountyFive Mountain Times - Serving Western Luzerne County
The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company