Bon Scott (1946

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Biography

Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was an Australian singer who was the second lead vocalist and lyricist of the hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. In the July 2004 issue of Classic Rock, Scott was ranked number one in a list of the "100 Greatest Frontmen of All Time". Hit Parader ranked Scott as fifth on their 2006 list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Vocalists of all time.

In Their Own Words (1)

When I was married, my wife suggested I write a song about her. So I wrote 'She's Got Balls' and then she divorced me!

Timeline

The story of Bon Scott, told in moments.

1946 Birth

Born Ronald Belford Scott in Forfar, Scotland. His family emigrated to Australia when he was six. Settled in Fremantle, Western Australia. Spent time in juvenile detention as a teenager for petty crimes.

Did juvenile detention in Fremantle toughen you or redirect you? Was emigrating from Scotland at six the defining move?

1974 Event

Joined AC/DC as lead singer at 28, replacing Dave Evans. He was older than the Young brothers and had been kicking around Australian bands for a decade. The chemistry was immediate.

Was joining AC/DC at twenty-eight a last chance or the right timing? Was the chemistry with the Young brothers instant?

1979 Event

Highway to Hell broke AC/DC internationally. Scott's lyrics were raw, funny, and delivered with a raspy howl. The album went multi-platinum. The band was booked to record a follow-up.

Did Highway to Hell feel like an arrival? Were the raw, funny lyrics your signature or just how you saw the world?

1980 Death

Found dead in a friend's car in London at 33 after a night of heavy drinking. Official cause: acute alcohol poisoning. AC/DC replaced him with Brian Johnson and recorded Back in Black, dedicated to Scott. It sold over 50 million copies.

Was the night of heavy drinking a choice or a pattern? Does Back in Black dedicated to you feel like tribute or replacement?

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