AC/DC mania has hit the masses. The band released its 15th studio album Rock or Bust in December and took the rock landscape by storm. "Play Ball," the album's first single, appeared in a commercial for Major League Baseball's playoffs in October, and now the same song is being used in some advertisements for Beats Electronics. This time the sport is American football, with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller blaring the tune before a game.
In both commercials, the players are driving to a stadium while listening to a broadcaster — Jim Rome — more or less talking trash. They use their slick, new headphones — Powerbeats2 Wireless and Studio Wireless — to drown out all the chatter. AC/DC's "Play Ball" fits perfectly since both players are getting ready to do just that — this could be a big one for March Madness. Check out the ads below via Blabbermouth.
Historically, the Australian rockers do not license their music for commercials and ads. "Back in Black" was used in a Walmart ad in 2011 a few years after the group sold their last album, Black Ice, exclusively through the retailer. The 1980 anthem has recently popped up in a commercial for Chevrolet's new Colorado.
"They have a purist approach," Steve Barnett of Columbia Records told The New York Times. "Their instinct was always to do the right thing for fans, think long term and not be influenced by financial rewards."
With newer bands constantly cashing in on advertising dough, it is safe to say that AC/DC has earned some easy money after more than four decades of rocking.
In other news, Coachella recently revealed its lineup for the 2015 installment of the music festival, and AC/DC is at the top of the bill with Drake and Jack White.
