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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.

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

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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.