Thunderstruck

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the electrifying "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC from their 1990 album The Razors Edge. This iconic track kicked off the album with a riff that Angus Young stumbled upon by accident. In a 1993 interview with Guitar World, Angus shared, "I was just fiddling with my left hand when I came up with that riff; I played it more by accident than anything. I thought, 'not bad,' and put it on a tape." The song’s title was inspired by a childhood toy called ThunderStreak, which Angus and Malcolm Young thought captured the band’s raw power, as Angus noted in the 2003 re-release liner notes: "AC/DC = Power. That's the basic idea." The track’s infectious energy made it a setlist staple, performed at nearly every show since its release, and it even topped Triple M Melbourne’s Ultimate 500 Rock Countdown in 2010.

The music video for "Thunderstruck," directed by David Mallet, was shot at London’s Brixton Academy on August 17, 1990, with fans wearing free T-shirts proclaiming “AC/DC – I was Thunderstruck” with the date on the back. In a wild twist, the song reportedly became part of a computer virus that hit Iran’s nuclear program in 2012, blasting at max volume in the middle of the night, as shared by a scientist to Finnish security expert Mikko Hypponen. With over 15 million units sold, it’s one of the best-selling singles ever, featured in films like Deadpool 2 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Fans on Reddit have called it the “last classic” AC/DC anthem, with its iconic intro and chants cementing its place in rock history, as discussed in a 2015 ACDCfans.net post.

AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. The sons of Scottish immigrants, they grew up in a musical household, with older brother George Young of The Easybeats inspiring their rock ambitions. Malcolm, a rhythm guitarist, and Angus, with his signature schoolboy outfit and frenetic stage presence, started jamming in local pubs, blending gritty blues-rock with high-energy performances. Their first gig was at Sydney’s Chequers nightclub on New Year’s Eve 1973, with original vocalist Dave Evans. Bon Scott joined in 1974, propelling the band to fame with albums like High Voltage and Highway to Hell. After Scott’s tragic death in 1980, Brian Johnson stepped in, and the band soared to new heights with Back in Black. Despite lineup changes, including drummer Chris Slade for The Razors Edge, AC/DC’s relentless work ethic and no-nonsense rock ethos have kept them a global force.

Stay connected with AC/DC through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest updates on tours and releases. Fans can dive deeper into the band’s world at ACDCfans.net, a hub for news and discussions. Join fellow Zoo Freaks in the AC/DC Fans Facebook group to share your love for the band’s thunderous legacy. Whether you’re headbanging to “Thunderstruck” or reliving the band’s epic journey, The Zoo Crew is here to keep the AC/DC spirit alive!