News: AC/DC’s Record Breaking Bagpipes

November 13, 2025 rocknews

AC/DC Bagpipes World Record Shattered in Melbourne Bash

374 Pipers Break World Record with AC/DC Anthem

AC/DC Bagpipes World Record: Melbourne, Australia, cemented its rock and roll legacy on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, as a massive ensemble of 374 bagpipers successfully shattered the world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble performing a rock song. The incredible feat, dubbed “The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash,” saw the hundreds of players belt out AC/DC’s iconic, pipe-infused classic, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).”

The new AC/DC Bagpipes World Record significantly surpassed the previous record of 333 pipers, set in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2012. The record was certified by The Australian Book of Records.

An Iconic Location for an AC/DC Bagpipes World Record

The location of the record attempt was a deliberate and powerful nod to rock history. The event took place in Melbourne’s Federation Square, just a short stroll from the famous Swanston Street, the site of the song’s legendary 1976 music video.

The atmosphere was electric, serving as a powerful opening act just hours before AC/DC’s first Australian concert in a decade, set to take place at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

A Reunion 49 Years in the Making

Adding to the historical weight of the event, the ensemble included two very special guests: Les Kenfield and Kevin Conlon. These two men were among the original members of the Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums who famously played with Bon Scott on the back of a flatbed truck for the 1976 video.

Speaking after the event, Kevin Conlon remarked that the new AC/DC Bagpipes World Record performance was “probably the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” The ensemble truly represented all generations, with performers ranging from young students to the oldest piper, a remarkable 98-year-old enthusiast. Actor Gerard Butler was also in attendance and received an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

The History Behind the Hard Rock Bagpipes

The song, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll),” holds a unique place in AC/DC’s catalogue. Released in 1975, it was one of the early anthems written by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young.

The lyrics are notoriously autobiographical, detailing the band’s relentless early struggles and the unforgiving nature of the music business. Its unique sound, however, comes from the prominent inclusion of the bagpipes, a tribute to late frontman Bon Scott’s Scottish heritage.

Scott, who taught himself the instrument for the track, created one of the most distinctive and memorable rock anthems ever recorded. Out of reverence for Scott following his death in 1980, the band permanently retired the track from their live performances, making this massed bagpipe ensemble tribute all the more significant for fans.

AC/DC Bagpipes World Record Summary

• New Record Total: 374 Pipers

• Song Performed: “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”

• Event Name: The Great Melbourne Bagpipe Bash

• Oldest Piper: 98 Years Old

The collective effort of the 374 pipers in Melbourne adds another unique trophy to AC/DC’s already legendary shelf. While the band holds a truly monumental record for the second-highest selling album of all time globally with Back In Black (which has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide), this new AC/DC Bagpipes World Record is a special tribute, celebrating the raw, authentic spirit of an anthem about the difficulty of becoming a rock star. It proves that the path to the top is still a long one, but it is certainly one worth marching to. Now, with the sound of massed bagpipes still echoing over Federation Square, we ask the fans: What is your favourite niche or surprising rock-themed world record that should get more recognition?