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Bonn Scott

Bonn Scott

That was the anthem for Bonn Scott, who died 34 years ago today.

AC/DC were one of the first 'real' rock bands I heard when I moved from the conservative (non dancing, non drinking, non rocking) country of Malaysia to Australia in 1978.

I was just an impressionable teenager, and to be quite honest, I didn't really take to Bonn's voice at the start.   Perhaps it was just *too* different.  I wasn't really intelligent enough to work out what a good lyricist he was.

It was the guitar work of Angus and Malcolm Young that really drew me in though.  The first time I heard the clang of those open chords through a driven Marshall amp, I was hooked.

I was away in boarding school when the news of Scott passing away hit the world.  I was still not a huge enough fan that it affected me too deeply.  Like most other people, I assumed that the band would just fold and the members break away to start other projects.

However, "Back In Black" then became the craze.  EVERY kid in the boarding house had a cassette tape of that album, despite the fact that 60 kids crammed into one building could easily just share one or two tapes.

It is the only album that I have bought more than once.  Five times at last count.  It is about the only album that I can listen to from start to finish and not get bored.

It was the album that defined my youth, and started me on the path of playing guitar.

I will admit though, that it has only been in the past decade where I have really gone back over AC/DC's back catalogue and really been able to appreciate what a great lyricist Bonn Scott was.  It must have been a great blow to the band to lose him at his peak like that.

They are all in their 60's now, the rest of the band, and lately news of their health problems has delayed their tours, which is sad.  I don't think we will ever see another raw energy rock and roll show like them, and I am glad I got to see them twice.

A third time would be nice, but not necessary.  I am grateful to have been on the earth when they were around.