Stormy May Day

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Stormy May Day" by AC/DC from their 2008 album Black Ice, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the gritty, storm-soaked vibes. This track stands out for its unique place in AC/DC’s catalog, largely due to Angus Young’s rare use of slide guitar, which gives the song a bluesy, country-tinged edge that surprised fans and critics alike. According to posts on X, the slide guitar adds an atmospheric layer, complementing lyrics that paint a vivid picture of a chaotic, stormy May day with howling winds and flashing lightning. Some fans, like those commenting on Songfacts, have noted similarities between the song’s riff and Led Zeppelin’s “In My Time of Dying,” sparking debates about influences, though no legal disputes ever emerged. Producer Brendan O’Brien, as mentioned in a Wikipedia entry, encouraged Angus to experiment with the slide guitar and pushed Brian Johnson to lean into soulful crooning rather than his usual high-pitched wail, a shift Johnson initially worried might clash with AC/DC’s hard rock roots. The band, however, embraced the change, resulting in a track that feels both fresh and quintessentially AC/DC.

Fan reactions highlight the song’s distinct vibe. A user on Songfacts named Nick from Cairns, Australia, praised its “country-ish” feel, particularly in the intro and verse riffs, while another fan, Aaron from Dallas, raved about Johnson’s lower register at the song’s close. The lyrics, credited to Angus and Malcolm Young, evoke a sense of urgency and chaos—“The storm is raging, winds are howling, the water’s calling, rescue you”—which resonate with the Zoo Freaks’ love for raw, elemental energy. The song’s production, handled by Brendan O’Brien in Vancouver’s Warehouse Studio, aimed to recapture the band’s early rock sound, as O’Brien felt their previous albums leaned too heavily into blues. This deliberate nod to classics like Highway to Hell makes “Stormy May Day” a favorite for listeners craving that vintage AC/DC punch with a modern twist.

AC/DC was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1973, founded by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The duo, inspired by raw rock and roll and blues influences, started jamming with a rotating cast of musicians, including drummer Colin Burgess, bassist Larry Van Kriedt, and vocalist Dave Evans. Their early gigs in local pubs and clubs showcased Angus’s frenetic guitar work and schoolboy-uniform stage antics, which quickly became their trademark. By 1975, with the release of their Australasian debut High Voltage and the addition of Bon Scott as frontman, the band’s lineup stabilized, cementing their reputation for high-energy performances. After Scott’s tragic death in 1980, Brian Johnson joined, propelling AC/DC to global stardom with Back in Black, now one of the best-selling albums of all time. Over five decades, the band has sold over 200 million records, earning a 2003 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

AC/DC’s journey from Sydney pubs to arenas reflects their unwavering commitment to no-frills rock. Malcolm and Angus, the band’s creative core, drew from their Scottish-Australian roots and a love for Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. Despite lineup changes, health challenges—Malcolm left in 2014 due to dementia and passed away in 2017—and a brief hiatus, the band persists, with Angus leading the charge. Their 2024 Power Up Tour, featuring dates in North America with support from The Pretty Reckless, proves their enduring appeal. Fans can connect with the band on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, fan sites like AC/DC Abridged offer news and trivia, while Facebook groups like the AC/DC Fans community buzz with discussions and memorabilia. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks can keep rocking to “Stormy May Day,” knowing AC/DC’s legacy is as electric as ever.