AC/DC’s Angus Young Addresses Gender Inequality in Rock: “It’s Time We Make Room for Every Voice”

Rock legend and AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young has broken his usual silence on social issues to share a powerful and timely message about the lack of female representation in mainstream rock music. In a rare public statement, Young acknowledged the long-standing gender imbalance in the genre and praised the women who continue to defy the odds and carve out space in a traditionally male-dominated scene.

“I’ve been around a long time,” Young began. “And I’ve seen how the rock world has often failed to give women the spotlight they deserve. Not because the talent wasn’t there—but because the system was never built to see them.”

Young’s comments come at a time when more and more artists are speaking out about inequality within the music industry, particularly in rock, where male acts still dominate festival lineups, radio airplay, and industry awards. Despite this, countless female artists have built loyal followings and left indelible marks on the genre, often without the same recognition as their male peers.

“Let’s be honest,” Young continued. “If a woman plays with aggression or attitude, she’s seen as angry. If a man does it, he’s just being ‘rock ’n’ roll.’ That kind of thinking is outdated—and it’s holding the genre back.”

Angus Young, known for his schoolboy stage persona and electrifying performances, used his platform not to critique the past but to encourage a more inclusive future. “The spirit of rock is about rebellion, about breaking rules and being unapologetically yourself. That’s not a man’s spirit—it’s a human one. Women in rock aren’t new, and they’re certainly not a trend. They’re essential.”

He also took a moment to recognize and commend the rising generation of female rockers: “There are women out there right now—playing clubs, writing songs, producing records—who are more rock ’n’ roll than half the guys you’ll see on a main stage. And they’re not doing it to prove a point. They’re doing it because it’s who they are.”

Young closed his statement with a challenge to the industry and to fans: “If we want rock to keep evolving, to stay alive and dangerous, then we need to make room for every voice. Not just the loudest. Not just the most familiar. Every voice.”

With his message, Angus Young adds his name to the growing list of icons pushing for equality in rock—a genre that thrives on rebellion, but is now being called to live up to that spirit in every sense.