Gone Shootin’

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Gone Shootin’" by AC/DC from their 1978 album < Powerage, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this bluesy, gritty track! This song stands out as a haunting departure from AC/DC’s usual high-energy rock anthems. Penned by the late Bon Scott, it’s a raw, whiskey-soaked dive into the dark world of heroin addiction, inspired by Scott’s personal experiences. In a 1978 Columbus show, Scott introduced it as being about “a lady who took it upon herself to do whatever she wanted to do,” referring to his former partner, Silver Smith, whose struggles with heroin influenced the song’s vivid lyrics. The line “I stirred my coffee with the same spoon” hints at the drug’s grip, while the title itself is a nod to shooting up. Fans on Reddit call it one of AC/DC’s most underrated riffs, with some noting its “boogie swing” and raw, live-recorded vibe, as Angus Young’s solos soar over a bare rhythm track.

Interestingly, “Gone Shootin’” found a surprising second life in pop culture. Its bassline, when played backwards, inspired the theme for Beavis and Butt-Head Do America, as creator Mike Judge admitted. The song’s groove also caught the ear of rock legends like Eddie Van Halen and Keith Richards, who’ve named Powerage their favorite AC/DC album. On ACDCfans.net, debates rage over its ranking among Powerage’s tracks, with some calling it the band’s grooviest song ever, while others find it too slow. Live performances, like a 2003 show, brought out its bluesy energy, with fans praising Angus’s searing solos. The song’s somber tone feels almost prophetic, as Scott himself succumbed to substance abuse just two years later, making it a poignant reflection of his own demons.

AC/DC’s story began in Sydney, Australia, in 1973, when brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, sons of Scottish immigrants, decided to form a band. Inspired by the raw energy of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and blues, they recruited singer Dave Evans and hit the local pub scene. Bon Scott, a charismatic frontman with a knack for gritty, streetwise lyrics, joined in 1974, replacing Evans and giving the band its signature edge. Their name, suggested by their sister Margaret after seeing “AC/DC” on a sewing machine, perfectly captured their electrifying sound. Early gigs in dive bars honed their relentless, no-frills style, and by 1975, albums like High Voltage and T.N.T. made them Aussie rock heroes. Scott’s “toilet wall” poetry, as he called it, paired with the Young brothers’ thunderous riffs, set them apart. After signing with Atlantic Records, they broke globally with Highway to Hell in 1979, cementing their place as hard rock pioneers.

Tragically, Bon Scott died in 1980, but AC/DC soldiered on with Brian Johnson, delivering the mega-hit Back in Black. Over five decades, they’ve sold over 200 million albums, making them one of the highest-grossing bands ever. Their unapologetic, straight-up rock ‘n’ roll ethos—never chasing trends—has kept them a stadium-filling force. You can catch up with them on their official website at acdc.com, follow their latest posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or dive into fan communities like ACDCfans.net and the AC/DC Fans Official Facebook group for hardcore Zoo Freak vibes.