“In the beginning, back in nineteen fifty-five,
Man didn’t know about a rock ‘n’ roll show
And all that jive.”
These opening lines from AC/DC’s classic Let There Be Rock set the stage for what is essentially a history lesson in rock ‘n’ roll—delivered with electrifying energy by the one and only Bon Scott.
I don’t often dedicate a blog post to a musician, but since today marks the 45th anniversary of Bon Scott’s passing , it feels only fitting to pay tribute to the legendary frontman of one of my all-time favorite bands, AC/DC.
A Musical Legacy
Few people realize that AC/DC’s founders, Angus and Malcolm Young, had an older brother, George Young, who made a significant impact on the music industry. George was a member of The Easybeats and co-wrote the hit Friday on My Mind. He also penned Love Is in the Air and Standing in the Rain, both recorded by fellow Scots-Australian John Paul Young (no relation).
Like the Young brothers, Bon Scott was also of Scottish-Australian heritage. He emigrated to Australia at the age of six and joined AC/DC in 1974, uniting with fellow Scotsmen Angus and Malcolm Young.
Scott’s distinctive voice made AC/DC instantly recognizable. The moment he started singing, you knew it was Bon Scott. But he was more than just a singer—he was also an accomplished drummer and a charismatic performer, always with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
In July 2004, Classic Rock magazine ranked Scott as the greatest frontman of all time, ahead of rock icons Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury.
The Tragic End
In 1980, Scott had begun working with AC/DC on what would become the legendary Back in Black album. Sadly, he never got to complete it—he contributed drums to just two tracks before tragedy struck.
On February 19, 1980, after a night of drinking with friends at a London nightclub, Scott passed out in a car and ultimately choked to death on his own vomit. He was only 33 years old.
Just five months later, AC/DC completed Back in Black with their new frontman, Brian Johnson. The album went on to become one of the best-selling records of all time, a lasting tribute to Scott’s influence.
A Final Salute
To close this tribute, I’ll borrow the words of AC/DC’s own Brian Johnson:
“For those about to rock, we salute you.”
sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Scott
https://www.loudersound.com/features/bon-scott
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