AC/DC are perhaps the most iconic rock and roll band out there, with a career spanning five decades and tours that have taken them all over the world. After 18 albums, AC/DC have achieved some very impressive accolades and stats. 

Here we share 10 of the most impressive stats and fun facts about AC/DC to celebrate their return to the UK on their Power Up tour! They’ll be performing at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on 21st August 2025 and you can get your VIP tickets here at Seat Unique.

Check out facts and stats about AC/DC you might not know, and secure your place at an incredible show with official VIP AC/DC tickets on sale on 7th February!

Register your interest in AC/DC VIP tickets

Top 10 AC/DC Impressive Facts & Stats

One of the best-selling bands of all time

Through their decades-long careers, the band has sold a staggering number of records. AC/DC are currently the 16th highest selling artists of all time with 200 million album sales worldwide.

It’s an incredible achievement for a band from Australia, especially one with an alternative genre like metal rock. Despite the many years they’ve been active, AC/DC have always managed to captivate an audience.

Sharks love AC/DC

According to Australian Geographic, it has been reported that great white sharks actually love the sound of AC/DC’s music. Shark tour operators found that playing hits like ‘Shook Me All Night Long’ and ‘Back in Black’ underwater attracted the sharks to “rub their faces against the source of the music.”

ACDC Lane

AC/DC are so loved in their hometown of Melbourne, Australia that they even have a street named after them! ‘ACDC Lane’ as it is officially named is in Melbourne’s central business district and has become a popular destination for fans to visit and take pictures. The street features a lot of amazing graffiti, making it an even more iconic place!

Breaking records with ‘Back in Black’

Back in Black was an important release in 1980s metal music, as heavy rock was about to have a revival and AC/DC was the catalyst. The album was an immediate success and debuted at number one in the UK. The success even made their previous albums re-enter the charts at the same time.

Since then the album has been certified 21x platinum by the RIAA, and is the sixth best-selling album of all time. It is the biggest-selling heavy metal album of all time, leaving a huge legacy of bringing heavy rock back into the mainstream charts.

The story behind the band name

AC/DC is definitely an iconic band name, but the story of how they came up with it is definitely peculiar. Founding members Angus and Malcolm Young decided on the band name when their sister pointed out the ‘AC/DC’ output on her sewing machine. 

The acronym stands for "alternating current/direct current electricity,” which the brothers thought symbolised their energy and power while performing. Forty years and plenty of electricity puns later, the rest is history!

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers

AC/DC were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. At the ceremony, they played some of their most popular songs including ‘Highway to Hell’ and ‘You Shook Me All Night Long,’ with guest vocals from Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

High-grossing tours

AC/DC are known for their long, worldwide tours to support their albums which have racked up impressive numbers of ticket sales and attendees. For example, their Black Ice world tour from 2008-2010 was their highest grossing ever, making $442 million overall. It stands as the sixteenth highest-grossing tour of all time.

The tour included 107 shows and 2.8 million tickets sold, bringing the band everywhere from North America to Europe, South America, Oceania, and even Japan. It’s truly impressive that the band are on tour yet again in 2025!

Register your interest in AC/DC VIP tickets

Resilience through challenges

Throughout the years, AC/DC have experienced ups and downs as a band. As early as 1980 they experienced the tragic death of their vocalist Bon Scott, who was eventually replaced with Brian Johnson. As recently as 2017, founding member Malcolm Young died of dementia, leading the band to go on hiatus for a couple years.

Nevertheless the group persisted, and despite hardships and line-up changes, they have still managed to be an incredible force on stage and excite fans all over the globe.

Cultural Icons

Many musicians, especially heavy rock and metal bands, have cited AC/DC as inspiration over the years including major acts like Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Metallica, and Dave Grohl. The band is also credited with the 1980s revival of hard rock music in the mainstream, thanks to their album, Back in Black.

Live performance powerhouses

What is most impressive about AC/DC is their staying power as a band. From way back in the 1970s to 2025, they’ve performed live no matter the line-up and always managed to put on a stellar performance. And through all these years, Angus Young still wears his iconic schoolboy uniform on stage.

The band has had some incredible stage shows in their time, with concert tours including huge bells ringing onstage, two cannons, and even Angus riding on the roadie’s shoulders through the audience.

Get AC/DC tickets

AC/DC are bringing their Power Up tour to the UK and Europe in 2025! They’ll be playing Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on 21st August and you could be there in VIP style. 

Register your interest with Seat Unique and you’ll be first in line when tickets go on sale on 7th February. Get seats with the best views of the stage, access to an exclusive pre-show lounge, and all-inclusive drinks to set the mood!

Register your interest in AC/DC VIP tickets