Highway to Hell

The Zoo Crew is cranking up the volume at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the iconic Highway to Hell by AC/DC for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This anthem, the opening track from the 1979 album of the same name, was born from the grueling reality of life on the road. AC/DC’s lead guitarist Angus Young once described touring as a relentless grind, saying it felt like being on a “fucking highway to hell” with a journalist, inspiring the song’s title. The track’s name also nods to the Canning Highway in Western Australia, a notorious stretch from Fremantle—where frontman Bon Scott lived—to the Raffles Hotel, a rock ‘n’ roll haven where the steep decline at the end claimed lives due to reckless driving. Scott’s lyrics, like “No stop signs, speed limit / Nobody’s gonna slow me down,” capture that wild, rebellious spirit of tearing down the highway to party.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s production. Producer Mutt Lange pushed AC/DC to new heights, refining their raw sound into a radio-friendly juggernaut. His meticulous approach led to 15-hour recording sessions at London’s Roundhouse Studios, with Lange even sleeping on the studio couch to keep working. The result? A track that became one of rock’s all-time anthems, winning the “Most Played Australian Work Overseas” at the 2009 APRA Awards. Fun fact: Angus Young came up with the song’s iconic riff while sitting on the toilet, later joking, “I was on the throne and thought, I believe I’ve got it!” The song also stirred controversy, with some accusing AC/DC of satanism due to the title and album cover featuring Angus with devil horns. Angus dismissed this, saying, “Why play it backwards? It says it right up front: Highway to Hell!”

The song wasn’t without darker associations. The album’s closing track, Night Prowler, was linked to serial killer Richard Ramirez, the “Night Stalker,” who reportedly loved the album. Ramirez left an AC/DC hat at a crime scene, sparking media frenzy and protests at the band’s concerts. Malcolm Young scoffed at the accusations, comparing it to blaming McDonald’s for a killer’s diet. Despite the backlash, AC/DC stood firm, with Scott clarifying on VH1’s Behind the Music that Night Prowler was about a boy sneaking into his girlfriend’s room, not murder. Tragically, Highway to Hell was Scott’s final album; he died of alcohol poisoning in February 1980, just months after its release, cementing the song’s bittersweet legacy.

AC/DC kicked off in Sydney, Australia, in 1973, founded by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. The sons of Scottish immigrants, they grew up in a musical household, influenced by their older brother George Young of The Easybeats. The Young brothers started jamming as teens, with Malcolm on rhythm guitar and Angus on lead, developing their signature high-energy, blues-infused rock. They recruited drummer Colin Burgess, bassist Larry Van Kriedt, and vocalist Dave Evans for their debut gig at a Sydney club on New Year’s Eve 1973. The band’s name came from their sister Margaret, who saw “AC/DC” (alternating current/direct current) on a sewing machine and thought it fit their electrifying sound. Bon Scott joined as frontman in 1974, replacing Evans, and his gritty voice and cheeky charisma defined their early years. By 1975, they released their debut album, High Voltage, and began building a cult following through relentless touring in Australia and Europe.

After years of grinding, AC/DC broke through with Highway to Hell, their first album to crack the U.S. Billboard 200’s top 20, peaking at number 17. The band’s raw energy, Angus’s schoolboy-uniform stage antics, and Scott’s roguish charm made them a force. Despite Scott’s death, they soldiered on with new frontman Brian Johnson, releasing the monumental Back in Black in 1980. Over five decades, AC/DC has sold over 200 million records, earning a 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and a spot as one of the best-selling artists ever. Their no-frills rock ‘n’ roll ethos—described by Angus as “we’ve made the same album 12 times”—remains their hallmark.

Stay connected with AC/DC through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like HighwayToACDC, a French-language fan hub with concert reports and news, or join discussions on the AC/DC Official Facebook page, boasting over 70,000 followers. Reddit’s r/ACDC community is another spot for Zoo Freaks to geek out over vinyl releases and band lore. For tribute band vibes, check out Highway To Hell, a Florida-based act that’s shared stages with AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams.