The story behind the name AC/DC was revealed by the band's first vocalist, Dave Evans , in a recent interview on the Podpokas , contradicting the popularly known version.
According to Evans, the choice did not arise from a casual observation of a household appliance, but rather from a suggestion and collective decision.
In late 1973, with a New Year's Eve show scheduled at the renowned Chequers nightclub in Australia, the then-unnamed band desperately needed an identity. The solution was found during a discussion among the members, on the condition that each would bring three name suggestions to be drawn at random.
However, even before the draw, Malcolm Young , one of the band's founders, presented a suggestion from his sister-in-law: AC/DC. Evans then recalls immediately associating the name with the practicality and universality of the acronym in various electrical devices, meaning alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC).
Listen to the full excerpt on the podcast featuring Dave Evans:
The statement behind the band's name.
In a transcribed excerpt ( via Blabbermouth ), Dave said: “I thought quickly, and I figured it was an easy name to remember, AC/DC. And it was on the side of a lot of electrical appliances. AC/DC stands for alternating current and direct current. Alternating current means batteries. Direct current, plug it into the wall. And I had a portable record player that had AC/DC on the side. So I could go to the park and do it with just batteries, then come home and plug it in. AC/DC.”
“Yes, a lot of appliances were AC/DC. And I thought, free advertising — free advertising everywhere. I thought, 'Wow, free advertising on the side of all these appliances, and it's easy to say, and it means power.' And then it all went through my head very quickly. And I said, yes, great. I love it. I love it.”
Furthermore, the proposal was enthusiastically received by the other members, Colin Burgess (drums) and Larry Van Kriedt (bass), resulting in unanimous approval and the official adoption of the name AC/DC. Above all, the alternative names suggested by Evans were not even considered.
However, this version differs from the more widespread story, which attributes the choice of the name to Margaret Young , sister of Malcolm and Angus , who supposedly saw the initials on a sewing machine or vacuum cleaner.
Evans' time with the band was short, recording the first two singles, "Can I Sit Next To You Girl" and "Baby, Please Don't Go". In October 1974, less than a year after the first show, Evans left the band and was replaced by Bon Scott .
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