I was 12 in February 1980, just making my first independent explorations in music. Highway to Hell was an early obsession, and even if there was little music on television and no internet I understood what a force of nature and fount of charisma Bon Scott was. He was my model of what a rock star should be then, and he still is now. Then he died in miserable circumstances, 40 years ago today.
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Rigid Digit says
Couple of years younger, so never became aware of AC/DC til a couple of years later (I think my entry point was For Those About To Rock 12″ single, with a 7:30 Live version of Let There Be Rock on the B-Side)
Deeper investigation revealed the Brian albums to be very competent (if lacking in staying power in subsequent years), but the Bon albums to be the very epitome of ROCK!
(kind of like the same band, but without the same levels of sleaze or danger)
Kaisfatdad says
You’ve convinced me. That was quite a showstopper.
I suspect that Bon was not the kind of artist who gave a support act the boot for playing too loud and disturbing his afternoon nap.
Twang says
Yes he was the real deal for sure.
niallb says
A proper front man.
niallb says
1977, The Year of Punk?
Feck off.
Sniffity says
Before AC/DC Bon was lead singer in local band Fraternity, who had a spell doing the “getting it together in the country” thing in the Adelaide hills. This single was a fine bit of pop that charted only here…
And their version of this song might have charted better if Melbourne band Blackfeather hadn’t released their own version at the same time. Again, a local hit only…
Junior Wells says
Point of Order @Sniffity
Blackfeather were a Sydney band.
Sniffity says
Oops – I plead innocence of youth.
Probably wrong again, but I recall hearing that Bon played recorder on Blackfeather’s version.
Junior Wells says
It’s alright youngster, but def a Sydney band.
Hawkfall says
Every time I visit Perth I always visit his statue at Fremantle. Although to be honest this is partly because the fish & chips at the restaurant next to it, Cicarello’s are the best in the southern hemisphere.
The Bon albums are so, so, so much better than the Brian albums, although I think this is partly due to them being produced by Vanda & Young as much as anything else. Highway to Hell, the only album they did with Mutt Lange is not as good.
Junior Wells says
He was also in a straight out pop group – The Valentines. White flared suits etc.
I understand he had very catholic musical interests. He was much more than a double entendre piss head , although he did that particularly well.
Vulpes Vulpes says
I consider myself privileged to have seen the Bon era AC/DC in their glory when I was at University. They tore the place apart, and watching the front line on stage dealing with a fairly rowdy crowd was like watching a Panzer Division trash a village. Probably the best rock gig I’ve ever witnessed.
Junior Wells says
Speaking of Acca Dacca
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/29/i-bet-bon-scott-is-pissing-himself-the-acdc-covers-gig-shutting-down-a-major-perth-highway