Back in Black

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the electrifying "Back in Black" by AC/DC from their iconic album of the same name! This song is a thunderous tribute to the band’s former lead singer, Bon Scott, who tragically passed away in February 1980. In a 2009 interview with Mojo magazine, Brian Johnson, who stepped in as the new vocalist, shared that the band instructed him to write lyrics that celebrated Scott’s life without being morbid. Johnson recalled, “I just wrote what came into my head, which at the time seemed like mumbo jumbo. ‘Nine lives. Cats eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.’ The boys got it though. They saw Bon’s life in that lyric.” The result was a track that Metal Hammer described as a “three-chord monster of a riff” that appeals to everyone, from rock fans to metalheads, cementing its status as a classic anthem.

Another fascinating tidbit about "Back in Black" comes from its recording process at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas. The sessions were anything but smooth, with tropical storms causing power outages and equipment delays due to customs issues. Brian Johnson, new to the band, felt immense pressure, as he noted in interviews, struggling to adjust to the environment while producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange demanded perfection on every vocal take. Johnson later reflected in his 2022 autobiography, The Lives of Brian, that he wrote the lyrics entirely himself, debunking conspiracy theories that Scott had penned them. He emphasized, “It was me at the end of the pen, writing every night and every morning, with only the title to work with.” The song’s iconic opening riff, crafted by Angus and Malcolm Young, was so powerful that Rolling Stone ranked it No. 29 on their list of “The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time,” calling it the “platonic ideal of hard rock.”

Social media posts from AC/DC’s official X account have also highlighted the song’s legacy. In July 2020, they shared a video of Brian Johnson discussing how “Back in Black” was written in memory of Bon Scott, emphasizing its emotional weight. The song’s cultural impact is undeniable, appearing in films like Iron Man and Spider-Man: Far from Home, and even inspiring covers by artists like Shakira and Living Colour. Interestingly, AC/DC refused to let the Beastie Boys sample the song in 1999, with Malcolm Young stating, “Nothing against you guys, but we just don’t endorse sampling,” as quoted by Mike D. This commitment to their raw, unfiltered sound has kept “Back in Black” a pure, untouchable rock staple.

AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, who were born in Glasgow, Scotland, before migrating to Australia. Inspired by rock legends like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, the Young brothers started jamming together as teenagers. They recruited bassist Larry Van Kriedt, drummer Colin Burgess, and vocalist Dave Evans for their first gig at Chequers nightclub on December 31, 1973. The band’s early days were marked by a glam rock phase, but they soon shifted to a harder blues-rock sound after moving to Melbourne and hiring Bon Scott in 1974. Scott, a seasoned performer from his days with The Spektors and Fraternity, brought a gritty charisma that defined their early hits. By the mid-1970s, AC/DC was a favorite in Australia, and their relocation to London in 1976 set the stage for global success with albums like Let There Be Rock and Highway to Hell.

The band’s lineup stabilized in 1977 with Phil Rudd on drums and Cliff Williams on bass, alongside the Young brothers and Scott, until Scott’s death in 1980. Brian Johnson’s arrival marked a new era, with Back in Black propelling AC/DC to superstardom. Despite challenges like Malcolm Young’s health issues and passing in 2017, the band has continued to tour and release albums, including 2020’s Power Up. Fans can connect with AC/DC on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, check out fan communities like ACDCfans.net or the AC/DC Fans Facebook group, where diehards share stories, rare tracks, and tour updates. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!