Legendary '70s Rock Band's Classic Hit Reaches Historic Milestone After 35 Yearsoriginally appeared onParade. While some fans debate whether it's time for AC/DC to retire, the band shows no signs of slowing down. The legendary rock group recently achieved a major milestone for one of their most iconic tracks. "Thunderstruck" has spent an impressive 520 weeks on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, and the record has even climbed from No. 3 to No. 1 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart. In other words, it has maintained its popularity for more than a decade, making it the band's longest-running hit. Released 35 years ago in June 1990, "Thunderstruck" continues to resonate with fans all around the world. The song's origins trace back to a creative spark between brothersAngus YoungandMalcolm Young, the band's guitarists. "It started off from a little trick that I had on guitar. I played it to Mal, and he said, 'Oh I've got a good rhythm idea that will sit well in the back,'" Angus recalled toThe Razor's Edgein 2003. "We built the song up from that. We fiddled about with it for a few months before everything fell into place." The track's appeal has not only kept it climbing the charts, but also generated significant revenue for AC/DC. Its appearance in the filmVarsity Bluesearned the band $500,000, further cementing the song's status as a rock anthem. AC/DC's success isn't limited to "Thunderstruck." Another classic, "Back in Black," re-entered the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart at No. 10 on Friday, June 27, and also placed No. 24 on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs tally. This latest revival proves that despite mixed reviews of their recent live performances, the band's earlier records continue to hook audiences. Earlier this month, a clip of an AC/DC performance went viral onTikTok, sparking an onslaught of opinions. Some viewers criticized lead singerBrian Johnson's off-key vocals, with one remarking, "I was going to get tickets until I saw this," and another suggesting, "Yeah lads it might be time to stop." However, defenders of the beloved band argued that AC/DC's legendary status transcends any minor hiccups. "Idc if they sound bad in this. These guys are absolute legends…(still) doing this into their 70's is incredible," one TikTok user commented. Despite the divided opinions on their live performances, the charts and historical success of AC/DC's music speak for themselves. Legendary '70s Rock Band's Classic Hit Reaches Historic Milestone After 35 Yearsfirst appeared on Parade on Jun 29, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
