May 27th 2024.
Have you ever found yourself pondering the true meaning behind the name AC/DC? This iconic Australian rock band may be one of your go-to playlists, but do you really know what their name stands for? If you're drawing a blank, fear not – we were just as clueless until recently.
Formed in 1973, AC/DC rose to fame with their hit songs like "Highway to Hell" and "Thunderstruck". While their music is undoubtedly recognizable, the same cannot be said for the full-length version of their name.
One curious fan took to Reddit to ask the burning question, "What does AC/DC actually stand for?" And let's just say, the responses were abundant. Among them, one user, @psychological_Ad8534, put an end to any rumors that the name stood for "anti-christ/devil's child" and revealed the true meaning: Alternating current/direct current.
In a 1999 interview for The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop, founding members Angus Young, 69, and his late brother Malcom, who passed away at the age of 64 in 2017, disclosed the inspiration behind their band's name. Apparently, during the early days of brainstorming, their sister Margaret pointed to the AC/DC symbol on her sewing machine's AC adapter and jokingly suggested it as a potential name. Little did they know, it would end up being the perfect representation of the band's raw energy and powerful performances.
Interestingly, AC/DC is also known as "Acca Dacca" in their native Australia, but the name is pronounced one letter at a time. The band first burst onto the scene in 1975 with the release of their debut studio album, "High Voltage". By 1979, they had achieved global success with the release of "Highway to Hell" when tragedy struck. Lead singer Bon Scott passed away from alcohol poisoning, leaving the future of the band uncertain.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, at the request of Scott's parents, AC/DC continued on and recruited Brian Johnson as their new lead singer. In 1980, they released "Back in Black" as a tribute to Scott, and it went on to become the second best-selling album of all time.
Throughout the years, the band has seen various members come and go, but the lineup currently consists of Rudd, Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson, and Stevie Young – the nephew of Angus and Malcolm.
Fun fact: AC/DC has sold over 200 million records worldwide and has had numerous chart-topping hits, including "Highway to Hell", which reached number eight in the UK charts and number 17 in the US.
In addition to their musical success, the band has also received numerous accolades, such as an induction into Australia's ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988 and 10 Grammy Award nominations, one of which they won for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2010.
But that's not all – AC/DC also holds two Guinness World Records. In 2008, they were recognized for having the most albums on the US Pop Catalogue Album Chart, and in 2013, they received the title for Best-Selling Album by an Australian Group.
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