Bon Scott was the embodiment of rock and roll. As the lead singer of AC/DC, he not only delivered some of the band’s most iconic lyrics but also embraced life with an adventurous spirit.
Known for his wild lifestyle, Bon was always up for a good time, making him the perfect frontman for a band that thrived on energy and excitement.
Angus Young shared a memorable anecdote about Bon’s unpredictable nature. He recalled an incident when Bon’s mother put him on a plane from London to Australia to visit family.
However, when the band’s tour manager went to pick him up at the airport, Bon was nowhere to be found.
A week later, Bon finally called, asking to be picked up from the agreed location, nonchalantly explaining, “I don’t know” when asked where he had been. Angus chuckled at the absurdity, revealing that Bon had likely followed a girl who disembarked in Bangkok.
While these chaotic stories about Bon Scott bring a smile, they also hint at the tragedy of his untimely death.
Many believed AC/DC’s legacy would end with him, but the band defied expectations by bringing in Brian Johnson as the new lead singer. Though Johnson had a different vocal style, his arrival marked the beginning of a new era for AC/DC.
Their subsequent album, Back In Black, served as a tribute to Bon while ushering in an electrifying new phase for the band. Rather than wallowing in grief, they channeled their loss into powerful music that celebrated Bon’s spirit.
This sentiment is captured in the song “Rock N’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,” which not only addresses critics who dismissed their sound but also expresses the frustration and anger felt after Bon’s funeral.
Malcolm Young explained their decision to record soon after Bon’s passing, saying, “I thought, ‘Well, fuck this, I’m not gonna sit around moping all fucking year’.”
He quickly reached out to Angus, and they returned to the studio, creating a track that embodied their grief while honoring Bon’s legacy.
This song has since become one of AC/DC’s greatest hits and a rallying cry for fans everywhere, reflecting the band’s resilience and Bon Scott’s enduring influence.