AC/DC has never been a band to play it safe. From their electrifying performances to their rebellious lyrics, they’ve spent decades embodying the wild spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Their music isn’t just loud—it’s legendary, blasting through stadiums, radios, and even major sporting events.
But with fame comes controversy, and AC/DC has had its fair share. From accusations of satanic ties to unsettling connections with true crime, the band has often found itself tangled in headlines for reasons beyond their music. Some of these stories are pure myth, while others are undeniably real.
Though they may not be as over-the-top as Mötley Crüe’s wildest antics, AC/DC’s controversies still pack a punch. Let’s take a look at the moments when the band truly lived up to the title Highway to Hell.
AC/DC and the Satanic Panic
The 1980s saw rock music under attack, with parents and religious groups convinced that bands were corrupting the youth. AC/DC found themselves at the center of the so-called “Satanic Panic” thanks to their 1979 album, Highway to Hell. The title alone was enough to spark outrage, with critics claiming it was a roadmap to damnation.
Angus Young later recalled how bizarre the backlash felt to the band. In their native Australia, no one batted an eye at the album’s name, but in America, their record label worried it would cause problems. Sure enough, the controversy exploded, with protests forming outside their shows.
What baffled Young most was the hysteria over hidden Satanic messages. Protesters claimed sinister meanings were embedded in their music if played backward. Young’s response? “Why play it backwards? It says it right up front: Highway to Hell!“
Tragedy at the Salt Palace
In 1991, AC/DC’s The Razors Edge tour brought them to the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. The venue sold only general admission tickets, meaning 13,000 fans rushed in with no assigned seating. As the band hit the stage, chaos erupted. A stampede broke out, and in the frenzy, three teenagers lost their lives.
When AC/DC learned what had happened, they wanted to stop the show. However, authorities urged them to continue to avoid further panic. The next day, the media twisted the situation, painting the band as heartless performers who ignored the tragedy. Brian Johnson recalled feeling devastated, especially when newspapers showed a smiling photo of him with a misleading headline.
The aftermath led to lawsuits from the families of two victims and others injured that night. Both AC/DC and Salt Lake County faced legal action, but the cases were ultimately settled out of court.
AC/DC and the Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Era
For decades, rock music thrived on the motto of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll, and AC/DC embraced it fully. Their songs revolved around partying and women, with lyrics that left little to the imagination. Even their music videos, like Play Ball, featured scantily clad women for no reason other than the classic “sex sells” formula.
Unsurprisingly, this approach sparked criticism. Many accused the band of misogyny, arguing that their lyrics objectified women. One of their most vocal critics was Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. While he respected their music, he couldn’t stand the themes they promoted, as revealed by Nirvana’s manager Danny Goldberg.
AC/DC, however, never saw it that way. Angus Young told the Los Angeles Times that their music was all in good fun and meant to be playful rather than offensive. “What happened to people’s sense of humor?” he asked. “We’re more like naughty little boys, not out-and-out villains.”
AC/DC and the Night Stalker Connection
In 1985, AC/DC found themselves caught in an unsettling situation. During the investigation of notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, police discovered an AC/DC cap at one of the crime scenes. This link dragged the band into the headlines, though not for their music. Things got even worse when Ramirez was caught, and it was revealed that he was a fan of the band.
Suddenly, some media outlets made a disturbing connection between Ramirez’s crimes and AC/DC’s song Night Prowler from Highway to Hell. The suggestion was made that the song, with its dark tone, might have inspired Ramirez’s actions, even questioning if the band themselves were Satanists.
AC/DC’s Malcolm Young quickly shut down these accusations, explaining that Night Prowler was simply about sneaking into a girlfriend’s house, not murder. Despite the band’s defense, the damage was done. As Brian Johnson put it, it was sickening to have their names associated with such a horrific figure.
The Tragic Murder of Crispin Dye
Crispin Dye, AC/DC’s manager during the 1980s, was instrumental in the band’s rise to success, especially during the Fly on the Wall era. Sadly, on December 23, 1993, Dye went out to celebrate the release of his own record but was viciously attacked. He was rushed to the hospital, but despite efforts to save him, Dye succumbed to his injuries the following day, Christmas Day, at just 41 years old.
For years, the murder remained unsolved, with police offering a $100,000 reward in hopes of catching the killer. Initial theories suggested it could be a hate crime, but authorities quickly dismissed this and assumed it was a robbery gone wrong since Dye’s wallet was stolen during the attack.
The case was reopened in 2023 when DNA found on Dye’s clothing was matched to a man linked to a 2002 crime. Strangely, no forensic investigation had been conducted on his clothing until then. The DNA matched an individual named NP252, who had passed away in 2002. To this day, Dye’s murder remains a mystery, with no clear motive or culprit.
Bon Scott’s Wild Rock ‘n’ Roll Days
Michael Browning, who managed AC/DC for five years, had a front-row seat to the wild rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle of the band, particularly the notorious Bon Scott. In his book Dog Eat Dog, Browning recounted some of his craziest memories with the band, including Scott’s infamous partying. One story stands out about Scott’s drug-induced hospital visit, an event Browning witnessed firsthand.
According to Browning, after Scott’s bad trip landed him in the hospital, the singer was in high spirits the next day, joking around with nurses. At one point, he even mentioned that his last hospital visit had been to see two women, both of whom were pregnant with his children.
Browning admitted that he wasn’t sure if Scott stayed in touch with the mothers or if the children knew each other. However, he did reveal that Scott was known for being quite the ladies’ man during those years, with a reputation for his romantic escapades.
The Truth Behind Back in Black Lyrics
The sudden death of Bon Scott in 1980 was a turning point for AC/DC. After losing their frontman, the band had a tough decision: break up or find a new vocalist. They chose to push forward, bringing in Brian Johnson as Scott’s replacement.
Months later, AC/DC released Back in Black, a record that would go on to become one of the most iconic rock albums ever. However, the quick turnaround led to speculation about who actually wrote the lyrics—was it Scott, or did Johnson contribute?
To settle the rumors, Johnson addressed the conspiracy in his memoir The Lives of Brian and in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. He firmly denied the theory, stating that the lyrics were his own, emphasizing that no band would let someone else take credit for another’s work.
Phil Rudd’s Legal Troubles
In 2014, AC/DC’s drummer Phil Rudd made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He was charged with attempting to hire a hitman to murder two individuals, a shocking move that came after previous legal issues. By 2015, Rudd pled guilty to one charge of attempted murder and drug possession. The motive? He was upset over the reception of his solo album and sought revenge on his personal assistant.
Rudd’s sentence included eight months of house arrest, which meant he was replaced by Chris Slade for AC/DC’s tour. The band had already faced issues with Rudd, as Angus Young revealed that he had been difficult to work with during recording sessions and promotional events, often not showing up when expected.
Despite the setbacks, Rudd returned to AC/DC in 2020, resuming his full-time role with the band.
The Demolition of AC/DC’s Childhood Home
The Young brothers—Angus, Malcolm, and George—are rock legends in Australia, and their childhood home in Burwood, Sydney, held historical significance. In 2013, the home was added to the National Trust List of Historic Homes, symbolizing its importance to the country’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage.
However, in 2023, the home was demolished by a developer who had purchased the property for AUD 5.8 million. The developer claimed they were unaware of the house’s historical significance until after the demolition was carried out.
In 2025, Leon Kmita from Burwood Square Pty Ltd issued an apology, stating that the former owner had not informed them about the property’s status. Kmita mentioned the possibility of using the remnants of the house to create a space dedicated to AC/DC fans in the future.
Brian Johnson’s Unexpected Departure From AC/DC
In April 2016, it was revealed that Brian Johnson was struggling with hearing issues, leading AC/DC to replace him with Axl Rose for the remaining tour dates. Fans were shocked, unsure if it was an April Fools’ joke or if Rose could even handle the responsibility, given his notorious reputation for tardiness with Guns N’ Roses.
The situation took a darker turn when comedian Jim Breuer, a friend of Johnson’s, claimed the band had planned to replace Johnson without informing him. Breuer later retracted his statements, admitting he had exaggerated.
Johnson issued his own statement, explaining the severity of his condition and his uncertainty about performing with AC/DC again. However, he expressed no ill will toward the band and promised to return to the studio with them. He eventually rejoined them on stage in 2023.
AC/DC’s Strained Relationship with the Media
AC/DC, like many other bands, has had a strained relationship with the media. While many musicians distrust journalists, fearing sensationalized stories, interviews are often necessary to promote albums and tours. This creates an uneasy balance between engaging with the press and protecting their privacy.
Music journalist Jesse Fink, who wrote two biographies on the band, revealed that AC/DC is famously closed off to serious biographers. In his article for Spin, Fink discussed how the band members were far from cooperative while he was writing about their history, making his job much harder.
Fink criticized the band’s preference for superficial interviews, where journalists often ask unchallenging questions. As a result, he had to interview others to uncover the real story behind AC/DC, since the band wasn’t forthcoming with details themselves.