Before I begin, let's get a couple of things straight:

• It can be safely assumed you are a passionate and articulate fan of rock 'n roll if you're here in the Hall.
• It can be safely assumed that you are aware of the gulf between The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" and any song by AC/DC.
• Any possible comparisons between Bon Scott and Brian Johnston will not be considered relevant to the discussion.

OK. So I've been listening to AC/DC's High Voltage over the past week. My friend Seth bought me a couple of AC/DC albums last year as both fine birthday gifts and educational opportunities. He wanted me to hear their albums' productions and see if there was anything I could learn and better understand when he discussed the sound of our own band's productions. Since receiving these educational gifts, I listen to these albums every few months. I see what he means about the awesome dry production of the drums and guitars, in particular. It's the kind of production lovers of dry recording get wet over. Listen to the intro of the opening track, "It's a Long Way to the Top (If you Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)", if you want to know what floats my boat in terms of dry production. If possible, hit PAUSE at the 29-second mark, right before the vocals enter.

Follow up:

That's some fine rock 'n roll opening, isn't it? I think it's on par with the opening to "Honky Tonk Woman". I especially love the restraint Malcolm Young shows in laying out for the opening measures. Throughout this album he displays a mastery of not playing! When he actually does hit a power chord, it sounds much more powerful than it would have had he hit it right from the start of a section. Kids and old, nobody musicians alike, take note!

Now, resume playing the track, with Bon Scott's entrance to the song.

When this one's finished, you might also want to check out the album's second track, "Rock 'n' Roll Singer". Scott does state his purpose in this song, so maybe it will be helpful in answering my questions.

Before I ask you these few questions, let's get one more thing clear:

• It should not be expected that AC/DC is in any way an intellectually driven band.

So here's what I'd like to know from you, the listener:

• What value does Bon Scott bring to the music of AC/DC, to you, the listener?
• Assuming that Bon Scott's role as reflected in songwriting credits includes the writing of lyrics, are the lyrics part of his value-added package?
• Where do you, the listener, place the intellectual side of yourself when listening to Bon Scott's work with AC/DC?
• Is Bon Scott a good singer? Does his voice have pleasing qualities to you, the listener, or are you and other AC/DC fans simply getting off on his over-the-top, in-your-face delivery?
• Could the music of AC/DC have been better had they had a singer capable of singing in a less-overt style and providing slightly more interesting lyrics?

I look forward to your comments.