Paul McCartney’s opinion on AC/DC has always fascinated rock fans, because few figures in music history hold the cultural weight that McCartney does. As a founding member of The Beatles, he helped reshape modern music, influencing every genre from progressive rock to heavy metal. Although The Beatles disbanded decades before AC/DC reached global dominance, McCartney has repeatedly expressed admiration for the Australian giants — and even formed unexpected friendships with their members.
From backstage encounters to unforgettable dinners and surreal musical moments, the relationship between McCartney and AC/DC offers a rare look at how legends see each other across different eras of rock.
🎸 Paul McCartney Has Enormous Respect for AC/DC
McCartney has openly praised AC/DC many times, especially highlighting their raw power and electrifying stage presence. In an interview with GQ back in 2018, he explained why he finds them so compelling:
“I like Rock and Roll basically and I know the AC/DC guys. They’re loud — have you seen them live? Oh baby… That’s one of the joys of being in a band: plugging in a guitar, turning it up as loud as you want, and loving the feeling.”
This comment alone shows how genuinely he appreciates what the Young brothers created. He understands their appeal instinctively: the visceral thrill of heavy amplification, the minimalism, the energy.
Even though The Beatles were famous for experimentation and constant reinvention, McCartney still sees the beauty in a band like AC/DC, where the power lies in being unapologetically loud and straightforward.
🍽️ The Night McCartney Had Dinner With AC/DC and Foo Fighters
One of the most legendary crossover moments between major rock icons happened in 2015, after AC/DC performed “Rock or Bust” at the Grammy Awards.
McCartney — who was in Los Angeles — invited the band to dinner. The Foo Fighters were also in town, and Dave Grohl later retold the story in detail during a 2021 interview.
Grohl explained that he originally wanted a quiet dinner away from industry parties. But once McCartney joined, things escalated quickly. At the Grammy venue, Paul casually ran into members of AC/DC and asked:
“We’re going to have dinner with the Foo Fighters. Do you want to come?”
Suddenly, an ordinary evening turned into the ultimate rock fantasy:
Paul McCartney + Foo Fighters + AC/DC all sharing the same table.
Grohl said he was floored. AC/DC had been heroes of his youth, and seeing them in a normal setting felt surreal. But the night was far from over — because another twist was coming.
🎺 A New Orleans Jazz Band Crashes the Dinner
Grohl also happened to know Ben Jaffe from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. When Jaffe asked what he was doing after the Grammys, Grohl jokingly invited him to join:
“Come have dinner with McCartney and AC/DC!”
Jaffe asked if he could bring the entire band — all ten musicians.
Grohl agreed.
They secretly arranged for the jazz band to march into the restaurant, full brass section blazing, New Orleans–style. When they burst into the room, everyone froze — including members of AC/DC.
Grohl described it as:
“Tubas, trombones, trumpets, bass drums crashing into the room. Everyone’s face was like ‘what is happening?’ I got to swing dance with AC/DC. It was insane.”
By the end of the night, Grohl said it felt like an out-of-body experience. He was drinking whiskey with AC/DC while Paul McCartney danced nearby.
A collision of musical worlds — and one of the greatest after-Grammy moments of all time.
🤝 Brian Johnson Was Starstruck Meeting McCartney
AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson, despite decades of fame, admitted that meeting Paul McCartney left him speechless. He told QFM96 in 2022:
“For the first time, I was absolutely tongue-tied.”
When McCartney greeted him with “Hello, Geordie,” Johnson panicked, unsure how to respond:
“‘Hello, Paul. Sir Paul. Your honor. Your majesty.’ I didn’t know what to call him.”
Their relationship eventually turned into genuine friendship, but Johnson always remembered the first moment—standing in front of a Beatle, unable to speak.
🔥 AC/DC’s Philosophy vs. The Beatles’ Evolution
In the same 2018 GQ interview where McCartney praised AC/DC, he contrasted their consistency with The Beatles’ constant reinvention. He explained that the Beatles avoided repeating themselves:
“Looking back, there are not two Beatles songs that are alike. Many artists find a formula and stick to it, but we would have been bored doing that.”
This is interesting because AC/DC’s guitarist Angus Young once joked:
“I’m sick to death of people saying our albums sound the same. In fact, we’ve made 12 albums that sound exactly the same.”
While The Beatles explored new genres with nearly every album, AC/DC perfected a single formula through decades. And yet, McCartney still respects their power, energy, and influence — showing that innovation and consistency can coexist in rock history.
