It's Official: AC/DC To Receive Australian Street Name Tribute

Australia's The Age is reporting that after weeks of speculation, Melbourne's Corporation Lane will be renamed ACDC Lane in a move described last night as a victory for rock 'n' roll.

Melbourne City Council unanimously voted to honour the Australian rockers, who in 1975 filmed their classic rock anthem "It's a Long Way to the Top" on the back of a flatbed truck travelling down Swanston Street.

After a public submission process that received five objections, the council looked at other options, including a plaque in Swanston Street. However, council staff Thursday night (Sept. 9) told the committee the 28 submissions in support of the name change had almost doubled, including one recent submission from Switzerland with 33 signatures of support for ACDC Lane.

Cr Anthony Nicholson described as "a spurious argument" a suggestion that renaming the lane after AC/DC could attract undesirable behaviour. He said he could not imagine a more appropriate way to recognize the band.

Since forming in late 1973, AC/DC has sold more than 140 million albums worldwide. The band already has a street - Calle AC/DC in Madrid - named in its honour.

Former Triple R broadcaster James Young told last night's council meeting that renaming Corporation Lane, off Flinders Lane, was a tremendous opportunity to recognise AC/DC and to celebrate "a fantastic, vibrant part of Melbourne's culture".

"Ideally, I'd like to see a statue of the flatbed truck in Swanston Street, but renaming this lane associates Melbourne with AC/DC, and fans, from interstate and internationally, will go there and have an AC/DC experience."

Outside the meeting, Young said he was surprised with the decision. "It's a victory for Melbourne rock 'n' roll," he said.