Why AC/DC Angus Young Plays Guitar Wearing Striped Neckties

AC/DC Angus Young wears neckties

AC/DC Rocker Angus Young wears neckties! It is this persona - the naughty school boy turned rocker that gives him a very unique appearance on stage.

AC/DC's lead guitarist Angus Young is among the top 100 greatest guitarist ever, ranking number 24 according to Rolling Stone.   That is without question a well earned title and certainly a position that will receive no argument from me, however I have a certain fondness for the devilish rocker that seems unnatural for such an icon of Rock and Roll.  It is his love of neckties that appeals to me especially.  Don't get me wrong I think the guy is terrific with or without ties.

According to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Director Hoard Kramer Angus Young first wore his Ashfield High School Boy uniform as a spoof in 1973.  His sister Margaret suggested that he perform in full high school uniform with a rep striped tie in future performances which he did, continuing through the next 40 years.  It was Margaret that came up with the cool name for the band as well.

I saw AC/DC live at the Miami Jai-Alai Fronton prior to Angus's use of such a unique rock and roll attire in 1972 dressed in a black and white stripped jump suit.  His guitar was screaming as awesome as possible as he held the hall in awe with his guitar licks and his signature strut on stage, in front of a wall of speakers on the very edge of the stage both left and right - a crazy choreography that seemed to defy gravity.

AC/DC's hard rock and roll has a Voodoo like  effect;, it's no doubt Angus is not just one of the greatest guitarists ever, he is certainly one of the greatest musicians of all times. So just how does he get away with wearing a conservative rep stripe necktie on stage.


AC/DC lead guitarist's Angus Young 
signature school boy uniform & necktie

The answer is simple enough - AC/DC fans love his portrayal of the school boy gone bad so much that his antics on stage while sporting a crushed navy blazer and shorts, accented by white socks with a very colorful love of neckties around his neck have become a rock and roll fashion statement.  His high energy performance ignites AC/CD fans into an explosive rhythm.

When asked if he would still be wearing his trademark school boy outfit and necktie at age 64, he described his attire as distinguished and “classic.” “Have you seen what some of the younger [artists] are wearing nowadays?” he asked. “They look like they’ve stolen their mothers’ skirts! If that’s fashionable, then you could say I’ve maintained a distinctively classic look.” Read more to see what Gibson.com has to say about  AC/DC and the ten things you probably did not know about Angus Young

Checkout what Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has to say about Angus Young and AC/DC

Cool Rock and Roll Music Ties at Nice Tie Store

AC/DC Rock Music 
Documentary



Click here for a Vevo Video AC/DC Angus Young - Thunderstruck

Gallery Talk: Angus Young and his signature rep striped neckties with Rock and Roll Hall of 
Fame's Howard Kramer.  Why AC/DC Rocker Angus Young wears school boy rep striped ties.  Click the YouTube link - Gallery Talk: How it all began - Angus Young and his signature rep striped neckties with Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame's Howard Kramer

A Necktie Patent

Something New for Ties

My PhotoShop - graphic designer brought an interesting blog post to my attention. Apparently these guys are seeking a patent concerning the design of striped neckties. Their novel idea is quite simple at first glance, however how they intend to approach this task is beyond me. The concept is to have the stripes of a necktie knot align with the stripes of the length of the tie that extends below the knot? Please note this concept in their photo.

Personally I have always thought that the tie knot should be a distinct contrast concerning the pattern or design of the tie. I have also come to terms with the realization that one man's idea could be an extreme one compared to another man's idea. What the heck do I know anyway - my taste has always been leaning towards trendy novelty neckties and wild fashion tie designs. I am not a very conservative necktie affectionado, although I do have more than two dozen stripped ties in my collection of over 400 ties at least.

They call it the Congruent Necktie. Here is their post from May 27th of 2009 on Brandish.tv

The “Congruent Necktie” is a patent-pending bit of neck-tech that allows the stripes of a tie to align with those of its knot, using some foul sorcery to be sure. Read more here Congruent Neckties or on Ask Men

If you would like to check out some conversation novelty neckties please visit Nice Tie Store

The Difference Between European and American Rep Stripe Ties

European Rep Striped Necktie

Striped ties, on either side of the Atlantic, what's the difference?  

About ten years ago we started a web site called The American Necktie Magazine, before blogs were popular.  On that site we had great articles very much like this blog, Find Ties - About Neckties.  Included was a section for questions and answers.  Here is one that may be of interest to you - Jeffrey Hunter.

THE QUESTION:

I am trying to confirm the history of striped ties pointing to the left shoulder being European style versus stripes pointing to the right shoulder being American styles. Do you have any info on this?

Sincerely,

Neil M. Lazar

QUICK ANSWER:

The shape and design of colors and patterns of the cravat changed and of course the military again dictated this. Before the turn of the 20th century, realizing that their soldiers were easy targets wearing bright red uniforms, the British were outfitted with drab green uniforms. Each regiment decided on their own, what tie to wear with a different stripe going across the tie in a pattern of colors and stripe width. With this need to be individual the "Rep Stripe" necktie was born. Across the Atlantic American soldiers followed suite, however the stripes go the other way. The distinction between the European Rep Stripe tie vs. American Rep Stripe tie is simple enough. The difference is the direction of the stripe from the left shoulder crossing the heart or from the right shoulder crossing the heart.

If a rifle were to be carried in sling strapped over the shoulder, the American soldier would carry his weapon over the right shoulder. The European military sling would carry over the left shoulder with the strap crossing the heart. In dress, the uniform would flow better without converging stripes. I am sure if you view West Point or other officer photographs you'll see this.

THE ANSWER:

Dr. Neil Lazer

It is true that the "Rep Stripe" tie is different in Europe. I believe that it is a military uniform influence. The "American Rep Stripe" will cross the chest diagonally with the stripes pointing from the right shoulder towards the waist. The "European Rep Stripe" crosses the chest with the stripes pointing from left shoulder towards the waist.

If a rifle were to be carried in sling strapped over the shoulder, the American soldier would carry his weapon over the right shoulder. The European military sling would carry over the left shoulder with the strap crossing the heart.  American rifles eject shell casings to the right and the European rifle ejects shell casings to the left. As for American military; considering people are mostly right handed the soldier would have and easier access and feel for the rifle carried over the right shoulder.

American Rep Striped Tie

In dress, the uniform would flow better without converging stripes. I am sure if you view West Point or other officer photographs you'll see this. Before the turn of the twentieth century the British came to the conclusion that their soldiers were easy targets in bright red uniform. With the issue of camouflaged uniform that would not make a soldier so easy to spot in the field the only way to dress up with color and style was a uniquely designed striped tie, with each division or regiment adopting their own colors. These ties not only preserved the traditional colors, they provided the only creativity for the drab new uniforms.

The Royal Rifle Corps sported rifle green and scarlet ties, while the stripes of the Artists' Rifles were black, gray, and red; the Inns of Court wore green and blue stripes.

Of course this spread across the Atlantic as Americans still proud of taking the land from England would not be out done by the United Kingdom in anyway. The British navy still controlled the high seas and much of the world so an influence concerning fashion was prevalent especially for military uniform. 

This was explained to me years ago and I cannot confirm the truth of this explanation but logically it makes since. At the turn of the century ( last one - the twentieth ) neckties were very much part of military uniform.  European, and American fashion was influenced by the dress code of service men.

I hope this answers your question. Without time to check this as fact I can only piece together what I have read and what my father and other gentlemen have told me.

Go to the Almanac of Neck wear - 2000 years of necktie history   Here you will find a section ”Fit For An Officer And A Gentlemen" there. This explains the origin of the striped tie.

They left out the real origin of the tie - One Million B.C. a charming ape fashions necktie out of twigs while courting his mate.   A joke around here and a part of my Complete History of Neckties

Thanks again for your email

Jeffrey Hunter