Bon Scott interviewed by Neal Mirsky of WDIZ Orlando, May 1979. Used with permission. Featured in the book BON: THE LAST HIGHWAY (2017) by Jesse Fink. Preorder ebook of BON: NOTES FROM THE HIGHWAY shorturl.at/krGP3
I was one of those who spent time with Bon in Miami. I was a former member of Critical Mass. His talent is undeniable as is his charisma. At that time I was in another local band and I met him at The Tight Squeeze Club on Dania Beach. I visited him at their rehearsal studio and his hotel room. I am not qualified to pronounce any deep analysis of the man but I was struck by his look-you-in-the-eye sincerity. Almost everyone can sense it. A gentleman, perhaps a bit conflicted, but while I was of course awestruck, I was also sensing a guy that could be a great friend to those in his circle. The “killer” was his addiction to alcohol which was quite obvious. Why? Only he could know. For me there is only one AC/DC and it includes Bon Scott.
It's just amazing how all the great songs by Bon Scott's AC/DC era was done in just 7 years. Most singers don't even have 1/2 as many hits in their whole 30+ years carriers.
Right?!? The guy was a genius. Ac/dc's most famous hits were all written by him and in like 7 years. TNT (you wouldn't expect it but a lot of people really like that one), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Highway to Hell, If you want Blood, You shook Me all night long. I dont think Bon wrote too much Shake a Leg. That one has some words that arent really Bon style words.
@@martingerner3543 so the weird thing is, I knew that when i wrote that comment and I know that now, even though there’s a couple theroies i believe in that he may have written some of the songs, but tbh i cant understand my own comment so yeah
I have viewed over 100 hours of BonScotts live interviews and clips of the band ! Never rude arrogant nothing less than a man of integrity ! God's gifted RockLegend He never once even appear to be an addict orvskave to his tallent and Passion RocknRolln The world...I have not read the book but did see Authers live interviews view .....I have always had a gut feeling that Bon was murdered as was Jim Morrison ! Rock In Peace....
Why would he be murdered he posed no threat to anyone he was a nice guy and he wasn't political in the slightest bit he was pure rock n Roll he just messed up he dabbled in heroin one too many times and mixing that shite with alcohol especially for a non addict is gonna one day get you
@@xblood1978 it nearly got him in 1975. He survived the OD, but the Youngs were all set to fire him. But their secret backdoor sessions with George Youngs former band mate Stevie Wright blew up when Stevie aced two sessions, and then showed for the third smoked on heroin. Wright was out, and Scott was back in.
@@deanladue3151 Where did you hear that one? I know he OD'd in 1976, but he was warned by the Youngs. I never heard of any "secret backdoor sessions" with Stevie Wright. By that point Stevie had already blown his chances by relapsing on heroin in 1975 when he was caught in the studio with dope. I think you've gotten some misinformation there.
I see you Scots say this all the time in youtube comments. Bon grew up in Australia and had a very Australian upbringing. Back in those days just about everyone in Australia was either born overseas or had parents who emmigrated to Australia, mostly from the UK. If he was such a proud Scot how come he had such a broad Australian accent?
@@fingey1 because he moved to Australia when he about 8 years old so just picked up the Aussie accent. If you check out his tattoos you will find he had a lion rampant ( from the Scotland flag ) and the words Scotland forever! Think that just about says it all. I also spoke to Mark Evans, Bons former band mate & close friend and he repeatedly told him how proud he was to be Scottish.
Bon Scott is the ONLY singer for AC/DC. I refuse to acknowledge the existence of the band since his death. Should have changed their name to the Shallow Corporates or something. Mal is a great songwriter (music not lyrics) and riff producer and Angus is one of the greatest blues rock guitarist of all time, but it was not the same band without Bon's lyrics, style, attitude and of course that voice.
He didn't HAVE to. He was an alcoholic, and his friends let him go for some reason. No one intervened. It is VERY hard to do that, especially when they don't think they need or want help. But, all of these women that professed to care for Bon, his managers, his band mates, etc. could've stepped in and said "enough! You are getting help."
@@JokersWild70 As much as I agree with that it's still hard to see Bon going along with it but I havent read the book yet so you probably know more than me.
@@ronnieDshman18 I doubt that he would have willingly gone along with it, as with most addicts, they don't see themselves as having a serious problem, but if enough people had stepped in, told Bon how much they cared for him, and that he had no choice BUT to get clean, he may have. The alcohol was merely a crutch and was hiding something else. I think that for all of his bravado, what we have in the last 2 years or so of his life is a man that for the most part, was very sad and lonely. By all accounts, and I have read all of the books, read many articles, watched documentaries, here was a guy that was a sensitive person (no I don't mean gay) and he did care about other people. I think that he was tired of life on the road, tired of not having money, and wanted a place and a person to call his own. It is very hard to shove yourself into someone's life that doesn't want help, and I have done it. They get angry, they scream, they cry, they tell you that everything is okay, but if you're persistent enough, most people can be helped. That's why I say that they didn't just have to let him waste away. Put it this way: when Ozzy sees Bon's drinking and knows that Bon has a problem, that's saying something!!!
Conker Kazooie the should have but with the sucess of BIB, i’d say it was smart of them to record it, although they should have creditted Scott for the lyrics
Conker Kazooie well, not sure why you made this comment three times but i agree. The only songs that broke through to popularity after BiB were Thunderstruck and Hard as Rock.
"...200 people, it doesn't matter..." I just love acdc, and how humble and generous they are. They care so much about the fans and delivering a kick ass rock n roll show. I wonder where Bon would've taken them...
this should be a very insightful book, I became an AC/DC fan in April 1982 when first heard 'Highway to Hell'. And even way back then, the rumors about what actually may have happened were flying everywhere.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS, UNTIL NOW, UNKNOWN INTERVIEW WITH BON. P.S. As a, big fan of ac-dc Bon era, also wont to congratulate you on your investigation and attempt to create real picture of Bon death. I heard stories which are consistent to your findings, but whenever I tried to dig deeply, and start to ask questions on social media, that was considered as a no no topic, by some self proclaimed protectors of Bon linage. So, your book is really incredible, and I wont to thank you again for making it. wish you all the best
Nice piece of history, thanks Jesse. Got your book, the day it hit the shelves, at page 61, not to far in, life has hindered getting stuck in. So far I rate it 9.9/10. Flows really well, that good, when I pick it up again I'll remember everything I've read so far. 🤘🤘
The book is great. I first saw AC/DC in 1978 in Zurich Switzerland when I was nine and countless other times after that. I currently live in Austin TX and was amazed reading the first chapter about their first US show at the Armadillo.
Quiet a few years ago I came across a live sound recording on youtube of ac/dc with Bon performing Back in Black in a London club, I guess to test audience reaction. I've searched all over youtube and cannot find it again. Me thinks it has been buried to protect the guilty. There's an interview on youtube with Brian and Angus and the DJ asks Brian how he wrote You shook me all night long and it is obvious he is struggling to explain how he came up with it at the very first get together in the studio but says the "boys" already had the song title and the music in place and I kinda just came up with filler' hmmm.
@@Purpleskyshorizon glad to hear it. Seriously. I grew up in Perth. The first album I remember when I was little was Dirty dees dunda chief. We thought that's what the lyrics were🤣
@@MuttsWithGuts That is too funny! Hahaha!! I have a cassette tape my dad made of me when I was 5 or 6 years old and I sang what I thought were the lyrics to "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution". Instead, I thought the lyrics were, "Rock and roll ain't no perusian". Haha!
Used to argue with my m8 back in the early 80s that there was no way ac/dc wrote BIB, the 2nd best selling album of all time in a matter of 4 months with a new singer. Always said Bon's DNA was all over that album, think I was right!
You better believe it! How can folks claim to be a 'real' fan....and not see the plain as day lyrical twists and turns and the (not so) simple way with words that ONLY Bon had....I would say 'look at Every lyric before and after B&B' Nuff said! Rockn Ride On Bon!
ac dc I agree totally with u. Those poetic tongue and cheek lyrics and the fact that every album went down hill after that. I have to admit that the production on bib and Brian's vocals are classic but I believe bon wrote over 90% of it. The others may have written the title track as is obvious back in black after what happened bon.
All you women who want a man of the street & don't know which way you wanna turn, just keep on comin & hold your hand out to me cause I'm the one who's gonna make you burn, Brian Ang & Mal could have written a 1000 more songs & not come up with lyrics half as good as that
+ac dc + BringtheRain + muggy water +TheBigHase I am a subscriber to the theory or belief that Bon Scott wrote Back In Black. I do own a copy of Mr Fink's book, 'Bon: The Last Highway', and I found it to be a really good read. After finishing the book, I don't listen to Back in Black the same way I used to. Now I listen to it from Bon's perspective, I listen to it the way that he would have sung it. Let's face it, the name "Back in Black" alludes to coming into money, and "You Shook Me All Night Long"... Well, just close your eyes and picture Bon singing it. I honestly think that Bon got ripped when he passed, as the album was credited to a singer who while he might be an interesting front man (lets face it though, no one is going to ever really be a more electric front man then Bon.), hasn't written anything that the standard rock music fan, can listen to, enjoy and remember the words to. Bon wrote songs that were memorable, enjoyable and songs that resonate with even non hardcore AC/DC or hard rock fans.
Mr Fink in my opinion not only did Bon write most of BNB I feel like For those about to Rock at least the song was one of the last Bon lyrics the boys had and this coincides with BJ last lyric credits around 1986 with the band So I know how you feel about BNB lyrics what about the song lyrics for FTATR.. thx
I was jogging the other day, listening to Spotify, and it occurred to me there is a link between "If You Want Blood" off Highway to Hell (1979) and "For Those About to Rock" off the album (1981) of the same name. Bon's lyrics to "If You Want Blood": Feelin' like a Christian Locked in a cage Thrown to the lions On the second page Angus Young on "For Those About to Rock": "Well, the title comes from ancient Roman times, when the gladiators would go in and they’d be fighting in the arena. And before they went into battle, they would say, 'For those about to die, we salute you.' And funnily enough, the first time I heard the phrase was, it was really Bon who had the book, and he was commenting on it."
@@JesseFinkBooks Wow just another link put together! I truly believe they ran out of Bon Scott lyrics after FTATR I mean what other explanations can one give for all the great lyrics and songs all the awsome albums to just to come to a halt and it did come to a halt no denying! I just know BJ will never come clean and we know Angus won't and the others well that's the reason the boys separated BJ from the band to write lyrics to BNB cause they already had the lyrics why else separate him but to fool people! Thanks for your great work.. Bons winking!
Mr. Fink.....I cannot Thank You enough for putting such words to paper! I stand and Salute and bow with Hugs Handshake & High Fives....Good on You! My loooong winded 'cry wolf' to any and all that would listen NOW has a true voice. You have made me so very happy that SOMEONE cared enough to give us insights into Bon's final years, much in the States. Long have I searched for a 'Real' Bon...and not a mythical man made of Bronze or thru the ever scrutinized bit of rubbish the Young camp (or one ok'd by) would shove at us to 'feed' and/or quell the thirst. It is SO Unbelievable at the lack of (so called) journalism at the time that no Honest inquiry was ever taken up...and soon after B&B went skyrocketing...I was/am at a loss as to how that could happen...they've always been the 'stepchild' of R&R...did that play such a role cause no-one cared...clearly so. I still Love AC/DC thru and thru (though I've only bought one album after Flick of the switch) But such disservice has been done to Bon for the almighty $...and how much has been spent to keep silence I ponder>>>Say it again *SHAME* P.S. My (I guess anger would be appropriate) has always led me down the path or notion of 'Why hasn't anyone ever 'cornered' the man called Mutt and 'probably only under oath if lucky' made him give his TRUE accounts of the period and 'sessions' of what was in the works....He knows....Atlantic 'suits' records knows...Young Camp knows yet blows just Hot Air in our direction.
I'm just a fringe fan and I am probably Bon-biased since I own every record he put out with AC/DC, but don't even own Back in Black. I always found it curious that Brian Johnston wrote the lyrics on their best selling album, but rarely wrote much going forward. That's one major case of writer's block. But one thing that does make sense to me, if Brian basically took ownership of Bon's words, then all principal parties were in on it. And that includes the Scott estate since they apparently were compensated with royalties from the album. So...who's really being ripped off? One could say, Bon Scott, of course. It lessens his legacy. But that's not entirely true. Like Obi Wan, he seemed to grow more powerful with his passing. The fans for being lied to? That's a pretty common occurrence in the music industry. I'm not saying it was right, but I can understand why it went down. The Young Brothers worked hard for mega-superstardom and were knocking on the door. They probably felt great sadness for losing their mate, but probably a little anger toward him too, since his death was by all accounts avoidable and from a bad decision. Maybe they felt Bon owed them, and pilfering his lyrics and re-assigning to the new guy to help usher him in seemed right to lessen their "loss". I don't know, all great bands are shrouded in mystery and this is AC/DC's little secret. They probably welcome that aspect as well, since it adds to the mystique and lore. In the end, these guys are high profile celebrities. I'm not sure it's possible to become one and remain a righteous and redeemable person. I do think you're right, and Mutt Lange probably has a lot to tell. Doubt he ever would with nothing financial to gain from it.
I'd love to read your book. I have theories about Bon I was 8 when he passed and Lennon 11 months later. It affected me at a young age. Is it available in England? Edit. I love bons speaking voice overall. I.wanna hug him xx
Trouble with alcohol, no question, but lots of people do. Malcom did too, but survived decades longer than Bon. Though the booze clearly didn't help, I suspect that playing about with Heroin is what ultimately did Bon in so early. Bon was an artist, with all that comes with that. That drug has killed so many creative people. It's great at turning off an overactive mind, and dulling painful emotions. It's also waaay too easy to accidently OD on, for many reasons. It's a very fine line between adequately numbed and dead with opiates. It passes the time, and after a time, it's an absolute living hell to come off of it. Death seems preferable, or, at least, not so bad of an alternative.
Yeah it’s a shame but it happened it was inevitable as he was a shooting star burned brightly far too briefly it’s nearly 40 years ago n really time to let it go let him rest in peace continually dragging it out n asking why doesn’t help and as I said before it’s about the band AC/DC as a unit not individuals that’s how it worked as well as it has whoever was the band ✌️
Bon Scott in band for 5 years - 6 iconic albums and best ever ACDC songs. Brian Johson in band for 40 years and Back in Black is the only comparable album. Why? Because it's all Bon Scott's plagiarized songs.
I agree that ACDC 70s albums are great, but Back in Black is not the only albums that is great with Brian. There are a lot of really great songs and albums. Have you listened to Black Ice, Razors Edge, Stiff Uper lipp, Ballbreaker? These are very well done!
@Chris Rife I really like ballbreaker I think it's underrated. Razors edge has a lot of filler. Don't like stiff upper lip or black ice or rock or bust.
Bon was writing and recording during the Back in Black sessions....after death his lyrical notebook magically goes missing...and noone says another word about....For they All got paid...mightily! Thanks to the Mostly if not all lyrics they STOLE from a dead man-a friend? Colleague? It's certainly a dirty business....But this will go down as the biggest Sham and Smoke & Mirrors pulled off in Rock n Roll history. Frankly nobody really cared about Bon or whatever at the time...now they build bronze statues....what a true Shame
Nicely put! Whoa, that would truly be the ultimate R&R movie script!! That could be more closely related to the Truth than anything I’ve come in touch with...Mal was the power in more ways than one...*nodding my head* I could honestly see that. I could also hear him say Well take Bon’s stuff and keep this train a rollin...in just as sweet a rhythmic undertone as he’s ever laid on vinyl. We’re did you first cone across such a ‘not so tall a tale’??? Brilliant
You were? Or that’s answering in response to just where u heard it? How might you have come in contact with this individual might I ask? And he doesn’t ‘lead’ his bar conversations with that does he 😳😄 did u find in his eyes a knowing....a believed truth as he knew it to be? It’s rather odd and obvious just how close to nil comes out of the Young compound after so long a time even... that’s pretty glaring in and of its own right
Let’s track him down and form a posse of so much ‘circumstantial’ ‘facts’ that it can no longer be ignored no matter the $$ That continues to buy its burial!! And then we’ll have ourselves a proper Bonfire! Seriously....how is it that this could go so uninvestgated even up to now by the very authorities that serve and protect. ‘Just leave it buried’ I’ve heard some say to me in print....yeah, history shows that to have worked out for the best ain’t it?! It’s so sad...I would welcome definitive or anything really proving my beliefs wrong...and I’d buy the next 3 rounds in salute....but that I do believe can’t and won’t happen.Bon just keeps ridin on alone ~
After the Youngs stole Bons lyric books, they only had enough to do FTATR. They aren't talented enough to finish any of Bons work that wasn't complete. The lyrics went to shit after that. The music turned into riffs and power cords. I only listen to BIB and everything previous. The good stuff.
