AC/DC's 'Big Gun' Never Played Live Despite No. 1 Hit Status

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AC/DC contributed the song "Big Gun" to the soundtrack of the 1993 Arnold Schwarzenegger film "Last Action Hero". The track went on to become the band's first #1 hit on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and won an APRA Music Award for Most Performed Australian Work Overseas in 1995. However, despite the song's popularity, AC/DC never actually performed "Big Gun" live in concert, with the band only playing it once during a rehearsal in 1996 and potentially once at the Sony Pictures Studios in 1993 for the film's recording. The article explores possible reasons why the band never incorporated the hit song into their live setlists over the years.

Why it matters

"Big Gun" was a standout track on the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack and a major commercial success for AC/DC, yet the band's decision to never perform it live has left many fans disappointed and the song largely underrated. This story sheds light on why a popular and acclaimed song from the band's catalog was seemingly abandoned from their live shows.

The details

"Big Gun" was released in 1993 as part of the soundtrack for the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film "Last Action Hero". The song went on to become AC/DC's first #1 hit on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and also won the APRA Music Award for Most Performed Australian Work Overseas in 1995. However, despite the song's success, AC/DC never actually incorporated it into their live concert setlists. There is evidence the band may have performed "Big Gun" once during a rehearsal in 1996, and potentially once at the Sony Pictures Studios in 1993 for the film's recording, but the song was never played at any of the band's actual live shows. Reasons for this likely include the fact that "Big Gun" was not part of any album cycle for the band, and with so many hits in their catalog, there was limited space in their setlists to include the standalone track.

• "Big Gun" was released in 1993 as part of the soundtrack for the film "Last Action Hero".
• The song went to #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in 1993.
• "Big Gun" won the APRA Music Award for Most Performed Australian Work Overseas in 1995.
• There is evidence AC/DC may have performed "Big Gun" once during a rehearsal in 1996.
• AC/DC potentially played "Big Gun" once at the Sony Pictures Studios in 1993 for the film's recording.