Ah, the school talent show, a rite of passage where the bravest and most talented of students step into the spotlight, often to the mild interest of their peers. These showcases are sometimes a must for those in music or drama classes, yet they promise an audience with very little enthusiasm. And when there’s judging? Well, it’s best to take those outcomes with a grain of salt.
Such things happened to 15-year-old Ben Gleeson, armed with his guitar, tackling the monumental AC/DC hit “Thunderstruck” before an auditorium of his fellow students. The applause he receives at the conclusion is merely compulsory, and the crowd’s reaction during the performance couldn’t be more disinterested.
Yet, the internet has given Ben a second audience, one far more appreciative, propelling his performance to a staggering 8.6 million views on YouTube.
Ben humbly tags himself as an amateur in the guitar-playing realm, remarking on the YouTube video: “I know its not perfect, haven’t been playing guitar long and it’s kind of sloppy at parts, but I’m getting better! Hope you enjoy!” This earnest disclaimer didn’t deter AC/DC aficionados from embracing him wholeheartedly. Comments on YouTube range from wishes to have been there to cheer him on, to admiration for his bravery performing in front of a “dead crowd.”
“This is one of the most dead crowds I have ever witnessed,” said YouTube user josephjoestar4257.
“I was waiting for the audience to start screaming “THUNDER” but no, they just sat there like a bunch of dense cabbages,” another user, Samuel, commented.
Some other YouTube users were far more sympathetic about the lack of cheer from the crowd. In their opinion, the tepid reaction from his schoolmates might stem from a lack of familiarity with AC/DC’s oeuvre, which is completely understandable since a lot of them were born after the band’s era.
Of course, the rest of the viewers are busy praising Ben’s performance instead. They are in awe of his casual demeanor as he shreds through the song, earning him accolades for both his skill and his daring, looking straight into the dead crowd as he shreds the guitar.
Since his “Thunderstruck” days, Ben has posted a few more videos, though none have captured the lightning-in-a-bottle success of his AC/DC cover. A video of his take on Ozzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train” serves as a how-not-to guide for filming a talent show performance, with Ben barely visible off to the side.
For fans of Ben’s initial viral success, there’s good news. After a hiatus, a now grown-up Ben (with an impressive beard to boot) returned to YouTube with a hard-rocking cover of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” proving his musical journey is far from over. Old-time viewers are ecstatic to see he’s still playing, encouraging him to rock on.
To dive deeper into Ben Gleeson’s musical adventures, don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube channel.
