High Voltage

The song "High Voltage" by AC/DC is a high-octane anthem that captures the raw energy of the band’s early years, and it’s no surprise the Zoo Crew is spinning this track for their Zoo Freaks. Released as a single in Australia in July 1975, it was the eighth track on their second Australian album, T.N.T., but became the closing track on the 1976 international version of High Voltage. Interestingly, the song wasn’t part of the original Australian High Voltage album, despite sharing its name, and was added to the international release to boost its appeal, helping propel the album to sell three million units in the US alone. The song’s creation story is a classic AC/DC moment: Angus Young recalled in a 1993 interview with Guitar For the Practicing Musician that he was messing around with the chords A, C, D, C at home, which sparked the iconic riff. He sang the chorus to his brother Malcolm in the studio, and the title “High Voltage” clicked as a nod to the band’s electrifying energy. It peaked at #48 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980 and was ranked #95 in Triple M’s 2018 “Ozzest 100” list of the most Australian songs, cementing its status as a hard rock staple.

Another tidbit about “High Voltage” is its recording quirks. While drummer Phil Rudd is credited, the drums were actually laid down by session drummer Tony Currenti, a fact that’s been a point of contention among fans, as Currenti’s name was omitted from many releases. The song’s raw, unpolished vibe reflects the band’s early days, recorded in just two weeks at Sydney’s Albert Studios, where Angus later said the walls themselves seemed to amplify their sound. Social media posts from fans, like one from @HeavyMetal_999 on X in 2023, highlight the song’s enduring legacy, noting its release date of June 23, 1975, and sharing its official music video. The track’s lyrics, penned by Bon Scott with the Young brothers, are a defiant celebration of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, with Scott urging listeners to embrace “wine, women, and music” and plug into the high-voltage energy. Its video, one of AC/DC’s first, showcased their wild stage presence, with Angus in his signature schoolboy outfit, setting the tone for their global rise.

AC/DC got their start in Sydney, Australia, in November 1973, when brothers Malcolm and Angus Young decided to channel their family’s musical heritage into a new band. Their older brother George had found fame with The Easybeats, and the Youngs grew up steeped in rock ‘n’ roll, influenced by icons like Little Richard. Initially, the lineup included bassist Larry Van Kriedt, drummer Colin Burgess, and vocalist Dave Evans, but it was unstable. After recording a single, “Can I Sit Next to You Girl,” the Youngs felt Evans’ glam-rock style didn’t fit their gritty vision and replaced him with Bon Scott in September 1974. Scott, a Scottish-born singer who’d fronted bands like The Valentines and Fraternity, brought a raw charisma that defined AC/DC’s sound. With producers George Young and Harry Vanda at Albert Studios, they recorded their debut Australian album, High Voltage, in 1975, using session musicians like Tony Currenti and Rob Bailey due to lineup flux. By the time the album hit shelves, Mark Evans and Phil Rudd solidified the rhythm section, and AC/DC’s relentless touring across Australia built a fierce local following, paving the way for their international breakthrough in 1976.

Today, AC/DC remains a global rock institution, with over 200 million records sold, including the 50-million-selling Back in Black. Their official website, acdc.com, offers tour updates, merch, and news on their 50th-anniversary reissues, like the gold vinyl releases in 2024. Fans can connect on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where the band shares throwbacks, like a 2023 post about recording “Love Song” for the Australian High Voltage. Fan communities thrive online, with sites like ACDcfans.net hosting passionate discussions about tracks like “High Voltage” and its international vs. Australian versions. On Facebook, groups like “AC/DC Fans” and “Bon Scott Forever” unite thousands of devotees sharing memes, rare photos, and tour stories. For Zoo Freaks tuning in, “High Voltage” is more than a song—it’s a testament to AC/DC’s enduring, electrifying legacy.