How AC/DC Became Australia’s Most Influential Heavy Metal Band

AC/DC, the iconic Australian rock band, needs no introduction. The group was founded in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young and has achieved unparalleled success, selling over 200 million records worldwide. Their music is often classified as hard rock, heavy metal, and blues rock, and their top hits like “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black” have earned them a permanent place in music history. In fact, the band’s popularity has even inspired an Australian casino slot game. AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 by Steven Tyler, and they have entertained millions of fans throughout their career. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering their music, this article is perfect for those who want to learn more about their rise to glory.

Where Did the Band Get Its Name?

Soon after the Young brothers formed the band together with bassist Larry Van Kriedy, drummer Colin Burgess, and vocalist Dave Evans, they realized they needed a catchy name for the group. The Young brothers visited her sister and noticed the “AC/DC” initials on her sewing machine adapter. The abbreviation, which stands for “alternating current/direct current” electricity, sounded like a great way to embody the band’s energy and hard-hitting performances. 

Few fans know that even the idea for the school-uniform stage outfit came from Margaret Young. After trying various costumes, including Zorro, Spider-Man, and even a gorilla, the sister suggested they go for the iconic uniform to help fans relate better. That’s how a tradition of over 40 years began. 

Early Years and Initial Success

From 1974 to 1977, AC/DC established itself as one of Australia’s most successful and popular musical acts. Their first album, “High Voltage,” was released in 1975, and the path toward fame and recognition was already set. However, it wasn’t until the band relocated to London that they really struck gold. After leaving their home country, the Young brothers solidified the lineup by bringing Bon Scott as a vocalist, Cliff Williams on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums. The first hit came with Let There Be Rock in 1977 which put them on the map in Britain. 

Two years later, AC/DC recorded Highway to Hell, the album that brought them international fame. It was a premier for the band to record an album in three different locations – Sydney, Miami, and London. Even though it was already the sixth album and the band toured Australia and Europe before Highway to Hell, this one is considered to be the breakthrough moment. 

Ups and Downs

Despite getting international recognition with Highway to Hell, the band’s rise to glory was slowed down by Scott’s alcohol-related death in 1980. When tragedy struck, AC/DC was already working on the seventh studio album – Black in Black. This unfortunate event gave a whole new meaning to the lyrics in the “Highway to Hell” song and also put the band in a very difficult moment. They even considered quitting, but Scott’s parents insisted that their son would’ve wanted the AC/DC name to carry on. Easier said than done since they needed a new vocalist to finish the album and not change the sound altogether. 

Many names were considered, including Allan Fryer, Gary Hopkins, and Stevie Wright. However, following advice from Lange, the group called Brian Johnson for an audition. Everyone was impressed by the voice and skills showcased by Johnson and they called him for a second audition after going through the rest of the names. The AC/DC “new era” with Brian Johnson as a lead singer started on the 29th of March, 1980. Malcolm Young called Johson to offer him a place in the band, to the shock of the young singer. 

On April 1, 1980, Johnson was officially announced as AC/DC’s new lead singer. With Johnson on board, the band finished writing the songs they had started with Scott for the album Back in Black. They recorded the album a few months after Scott’s passing at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas. Produced by Mutt Lange and recorded by Tony Platt, Back in Black became a hard-rock landmark and their best-selling album. It includes hits such as “Hells Bells,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,” and the title track. The album topped the UK charts and reached No.4 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, remaining for 131 weeks.

Final Thoughts

Even though it had its share of unfortunate events and uncertainty, AC/DC made history for the worldwide rock and roll scene. Furthermore, the band had a formative influence on the new wave of British heavy metal, besides being Australia’s biggest group. Their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the ultimate seal to confirm their success!