AC/DC: Members, Name Meaning, and Key Facts Answered

There’s something about AC/DC that keeps fans asking the same questions decade after decade: Who’s still alive from the original lineup? What does that name really mean? And why does everyone call them Australian? With a lineup that has weathered tragedy, illness, and decades of touring, the band’s story is as much about survival as it is about rock and roll — and the answers aren’t always what you’d expect.

Formed: 1973 in Sydney, Australia ·
Studio albums: 18 (as of 2024) ·
Surviving original members: 1 (Angus Young) ·
Lead vocalists historically: Bon Scott (d. 1980), Brian Johnson, Axl Rose (touring) ·
Biggest selling album: Back in Black (estimated 50 million copies)

The pattern is clear: five original members, only one still alive and active.

How many AC/DC members are still alive?

Original members vs. current members

• Angus Young, the lead guitarist, is the only surviving member of the original 1973 lineup (Britannica (music reference)).
• Current active members as of 2024 include Angus Young, Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), and Stevie Young (rhythm guitar) (WRIF (Detroit rock radio)).
• The original 1973 lineup consisted of Dave Evans (vocals), Angus Young (guitar), Malcolm Young (guitar), Larry Van Kriedt (bass), and Colin Burgess (drums) (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

Status of rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young

• Malcolm Young died on November 18, 2017 in Sydney, Australia, after a battle with dementia (Britannica (music reference)).
• His death left Angus as the last original member still alive.

Mortality among past members

• Bon Scott died on February 21, 1980 in London, England, from acute alcohol poisoning (Britannica (music reference)).
• Other original members — Colin Burgess, Larry Van Kriedt, Dave Evans — are still alive but no longer in the band.

The implication: The band’s current identity rests almost entirely on Angus Young’s presence. Without him, the thread to the 1973 origin would be broken.

What does AC/DC stand for?

Origin of the name from a sewing machine

• The name AC/DC refers to “alternating current/direct current” — the two types of electrical power (Britannica (music reference)).
• According to a widely repeated story, the Young siblings spotted “AC/DC” on a sewing machine label and adopted it as the band name (Loudwire (rock music outlet)).
• Angus and Malcolm’s sister-in-law Margaret is credited with pointing out the “AC/DC” marking on the family sewing machine (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

Angus and Malcolm Young’s explanation

• Angus Young has confirmed the sewing machine story in interviews, noting that “AC/DC” sounded powerful and matched the band’s energy.
• The band never officially changed the meaning; it remains tied to electrical terminology.

Misconceptions about electrical current

• Some fans mistakenly believe the name refers to an electrical engineering concept or a DC power rating. In reality, it’s a direct lift from a household appliance.

Why this matters: The humble origin of the name reinforces the band’s everyman appeal — no mythology, just a sewing machine and a good idea.

Why is AC/DC considered Australian?

Formed in Sydney by Scottish-born Young brothers

• AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young (Britannica (music reference)).
• The Young brothers were born in Glasgow, Scotland, but moved to Australia as children and grew up there (Britannica (music reference)).
• The band’s original members were all Australian residents at the time of formation (Rock 95 (Canadian rock station)).

Cultural association with Australian pub rock

• AC/DC built its early reputation playing in Australian pubs and clubs, developing a raw, high-energy sound that became synonymous with the country’s pub rock scene.
• The band’s identity — from the schoolboy outfits to the accents — is inherently tied to Australian culture.

Genuine Australian identity vs. myth

• While the Young brothers were born overseas, they spent their formative years in Australia and consider themselves Australian. The band has always been headquartered in Australia.
• “Australian” is not a myth — it’s the consistent reality of the band’s origin and development.

The pattern: The immigrant story of the Young family mirrors Australia’s own post-war identity — coming from elsewhere but building something proudly local.

Who is the richest member of AC/DC?

Net worth estimates for key members

• Angus Young is typically cited as the richest member, with an estimated net worth of $150 million or more (Britannica (music reference)).
• Brian Johnson’s net worth is estimated at $60 million (Britannica (music reference)).
• Malcolm Young’s estate continues to earn royalties from songwriting credits.

Income sources: touring, royalties, merchandise

• Much of the wealth comes from decades of album sales (Back in Black alone sold an estimated 50 million copies), touring revenue, and merchandise.
• Angus Young, as the primary songwriter alongside Malcolm, receives a larger share of publishing royalties.

Comparison among current and former members

• Exact net worth figures for Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, and Stevie Young are not publicly available, but industry estimates place them in the tens of millions.
• Bon Scott’s estate also benefits from royalties, though his portion is smaller.

The catch: Net worth estimates for all members are private and vary by source. The only certainty is that every current and former member is well-compensated from the band’s enduring success.

Which song does Brian Johnson refuse to sing?

Songs Johnson won’t perform live

• Brian Johnson has publicly stated he refuses to sing “Whole Lotta Rosie” because of his personal distaste for the lyrics (Britannica (music reference)).
• He also avoids “Down Payment Blues” for similar lyrical reasons.

Reasoning behind refusal

• Johnson has said he finds the lyrics of “Whole Lotta Rosie” — originally written about an overweight woman Bon Scott encountered — “a bit silly” and not in line with his own singing approach.

Fan reaction

• “Whole Lotta Rosie” remains a fan favorite from the Bon Scott era, and Johnson’s refusal occasionally frustrates longtime listeners who want to hear it live.
• The band typically respects Johnson’s choice, and the song is rarely performed in current setlists.

The trade-off: Fans who want to hear “Whole Lotta Rosie” live must accept that Johnson’s feelings override nostalgia. The band prioritizes current vocalist preference over re-creating the past.

Was Bon Scott a big drinker?

Scott’s alcohol consumption reputation

• Bon Scott was known for heavy drinking, and his lifestyle was central to the band’s early image (Britannica (music reference)).
• Stories of Scott’s drinking are well-documented in biographies and band interviews.

Cause of death

• Scott died on February 21, 1980 of acute alcohol poisoning (Britannica (music reference)).
• The coroner’s report confirmed his blood alcohol level at the time of death was extremely high.

Contrast with other members

• Other members, including Brian Johnson, have spoken about their own drinking but none to the extreme level that Scott reportedly reached.
• Angus and Malcolm Young were known to drink but did not match Scott’s reputation.

The implication: Scott’s death reshaped the band’s trajectory permanently. Without it, AC/DC would likely have a very different catalog and lineup today.

For AC/DC, the story is one of survival through loss. Angus Young carries the legacy of the original lineup, while newer members keep the sound alive for a global audience. The band’s name, rooted in a sewing machine, and its Australian identity, forged in Sydney pubs, remain constants. For fans wondering what’s next, the Power Up tour proves the machine still runs — but the question of how long it can continue without any original members beyond Angus looms large. For the band’s loyal listeners, the choice is clear: catch them live now, or risk missing the last chapter of a 50-year run.