The popular Australian rock band was formed in 1973 and is known for iconic hits like Highway to Hell and Thunderstruck. However, while their tunes are instantly recognisable, the full-length version of their name is not.
One fan of the band took to Reddit and asked, ‘What does AC/DC actually stand for?’ Earning multiple replies, one user, @psychological_Ad8534, put to bed any rumours it means ‘anti-christ/devil’s child’ and revealed the true meaning: Alternating current/direct current.
Founding members Angus Young, 69, and his late brother, Malcolm—who died at age 64 in 2017—first revealed the meaning behind the name in 1999 during an interview for The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop.
The brothers said while they were developing a name for the band, their sister Margaret pointed to the AC/DC symbol on her sewing machine’s AC adapter and suggested it could be a good name.
Agreeing, the brothers felt it was a perfect symbolisation of the raw energy the band projected and their power-driven music performances, and thus, AC/DC was born.
Despite being known as ‘Acca Dacca’ in Australia, the name is pronounced one letter at a time.
The band first shot to fame in 1975 following the release of their first studio album, High Voltage. By 1979, AC/DC was experiencing global success with the release of Highway to Hell when disaster struck. Their lead singer, Bon Scott, died of alcohol poisoning.
