Talk about an explosive opening.

AC/DC began its blazing gig Friday night at American Airlines Center with a video, an animated doozy of a clip that featured guitarist Angus Young as the devilish train operator too tempted by the female persuasion to keep his locomotive from crashing. When it does jump the track, it ends up center stage in a ball of smoke. It’s equipped with the band’s trademark horns and logo, of course.

“Rock N Roll Train,” from the band’s comeback smash Black Ice, started it all and for the next hour and 45 minutes the group never let up. For an entity that’s been together since 1973, these five rockers still perform as if they have plenty to prove. The 18-song set featured five from Ice, three from 1980’s seminal Back In Black and pretty much every other AC/DC anthem.

Anthems are key. For AC/DC, rhythm-heavy rock tunes need a chorus the crowd can chant. The packed house did just that time and again. Let’s see here: “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells” and “T.N.T.,” to name a few.

During “The Jack,” a bluesy number from 1975’s T.N.T. album, the unstoppable Young launched into a striptease, removing pieces of his trademark schoolboy uniform until he revealed boxers with AC/DC emblazoned on his backside. That was one of many memorable moments.

Another was lead singer Brian Johnson screeching and wailing “You Shook Me All Night Long,” still one of the sexiest rock classics ever put on wax. The man’s incredible. How can he do this for 29 years and still be able to speak, let alone sing with sandpapery passion?

Back to Young, who’s 53, busting out a piercing 10-minute guitar solo at the end of “Let There Be Rock.” Amazing.

This is real rock ‘n’ roll, people. You can’t learn it. You just live it.