1. The sewing machine
Brothers Malcom and Angus Young came up with the idea for the band’s name after seeing their older sister Margaret’s initials “AC/DC” on a sewing machine. It is an abbreviation for alternating current or direct current. The brothers thought this name appropriately symbolized the band’s raw energy, powerful performances and love for their music.
2. AC/DC and the devil
There were some other fan theories behind the AC/DC name. With song titles like “Highway to Hell” or “Hells Bells” and the view of conservative society that rock ‘n’ roll is the music of the devil, AC/DC should stand for “Anti-Christ/Devil’s Children”.
Another, more interesting story looks at the sewing machine as just the surface of the real truth. The device was open to two different ways of receiving electricity. “AC/DC” has therefore been used as a slang term for bi-sexuality in the LGBTQ community. It remains controversial whether the slang or the band name came first.
3. For a good cause
Researchers at the University of South Australia have found that playing Thunderstruck during cancer chemotherapy effectively improves the drug’s efficacy. They chose this AC/DC song because it hits all the right notes. Vibrations from the chant bounce silicon microparticles that carry the chemicals in a vacuum. This results in a polymer coating that prevents the drug from escaping during administration. Ultimately, delivery to cancer cells is enhanced.
4. For the bad cause
In 1989, when Panama’s General Manual Noriega was taking refuge in the Vatican Embassy, the US military blasted their opponent with AC/DC’s music for two days. Despite a United Nations ban on the use of loud music for military purposes, they continued to use Hell’s Bells as their weapon of choice. The dictator surrendered.
5. Speechless
Although Brian Johnson contributed lyrics to Back in Black, he stopped writing the lyrics to AC/DC songs after 1988’s “Blow Up Your Video.” Malcolm and Angus Young shared the songwriting credits from then on. Once asked why he stopped contributing to songwriting, Johnson joked that he “the words ran out”.
6. The spasm
“Ballbreaker” became a real challenge in AC/DC’s career. For one thing, the album took five months to record (“High Voltage” was in the can after just ten days). In addition, the band had problems with their drummer situation. Chris Slade and Phil Rudd each replaced each other twice due to Rudd’s legal issues.
On the other hand, the production in New York proved to be so unsatisfactory that the band pulled the ripcord and moved production to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the band clashed frequently with the album’s producer, Rick Rubin. Rubin and Malcolm Young in particular clashed, with Young later calling the decision to work with Rubin a mistake. Despite the difficulties behind the scenes was “Ballbreaker” is another commercial success for AC/DC.
7. Telephone terror
One of AC/DC’s early hits was “Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap”, in whose texts, among other things, the women’s dimensions 36-24-36 were given. The numbers were followed by one “Hey!“. A couple claimed that these digits along with the “hey!’, which sounds like an 8 in English, turned into their phone number. As a result, they were constantly being harassed by AC/DC fans calling them. Ultimately, they sued the band and were awarded $250,000 in damages. Not bad for taking a few calls.
8. Bad blood
In 1975 AC/DC were scheduled to perform at the Sunbury Rock Festival, but they left without ever setting foot on the stage. The band got into a heated argument with the crew of Deep Purple, who were headlining the festival that year. It was by no means the last confrontation with another band.
9. Bad Blood – Part 2
In 1977 AC/DC teamed up with Black Sabbath for a tour of Europe. The two frontmen of these bands, Bon Scott and Ozzy Osbourne, became great friends during the tour, but they were the exception, not the rule. The rest of both bands didn’t get along. The dispute heated up to the point where Black Sabbath member Geezer Butler pulled out a knife and threatened Malcolm Young with it.
10. With the best recommendation
After Bon Scott’s death, a new singer was needed. The choice fell on former Geordie singer Brian Johnson. Angus Young later reported: “I remember Bon playing me Little Richard and then telling me the story when he saw Brian sing.”
According to Young’s testimony, Scott related: “There’s this guy up there screaming at the top of his lungs, and the next thing he does is lie down on the stage. He lies on the ground, turns around and screams. I loved it. To top it all off – you couldn’t get a better encore – the guy in the wheelchair was taken off the stage.” Later that night, Johnson was diagnosed with appendicitis, which was the cause of his “showmanship.”
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