On this date in 2004, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor John So launched AC/DC Lane with the words, “As the song says, there is a highway to hell, but this is a laneway to heaven. Let us rock.” Bagpipers then played “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”.
The street was formerly named Corporation Lane. As a tribute to the Australian veteran rockers AC/DC the lane was then renamed. The renaming was permitted by a unanimous vote of the City of Melbourne.
There’s a more rock ‘n’ roll story behind this AC/DC Lane actually. Observant Melbournians may remember that this has 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 happened before. In 2004, street artist Knifey installed a cheeky street signed over the original that not only included the soon-to-be-official slash (“/”), but an actual lightning bolt in trademark council blue. Unsurprisingly, this was stolen by a diehard fan soon after. Later, the artist (Jayszun Vanderwerwerff) worked with Melbourne City to officially re-install the sign.
“Melbourne City Council has demonstrated time and again its commitment to showcase both the city’s laneways, and the street art that brings so many to visit the City of Melbourne,” Knifey said. “They have seen the benefit of encouraging legal street art in the city, and have been incredibly supportive of this project.”
Let there be rock—and Acca Dacca Lane!
• Read also AC/DC: BACK IN BLACK.
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Featured image via So in Love with Melbourne.
Sources: Wikipedia, Dreamstime, This Day in Music.
