Rock Artists Celebrate What Would Have Been Bon Scott's 80th Birthday
*Lead singer Bon Scott (1946-1980) from Australian rock band AC/DC posed in a studio in London in August 1979. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)*
Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, Judas Priest's Rob Halford, and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready are among the artists honoring what would have been original AC/DC frontman Bon Scott's 80th birthday.
Scott, who died in 1980 at the age of 33, would have turned 80 on Thursday. To mark the occasion, his official YouTube page has shared birthday messages from fellow musicians.
Reflecting on touring with AC/DC during the 1979 Highway to Hell tour in the U.K., Joe Elliott said:
"We toured with AC/DC on the Highway to Hell Tour in the U.K. [in] 1979. Learned a lot from Bon Scott. Used to go out front and watch him every night. This guy knew how to command a crowd. Phenomenal frontman, great singer, underrated singer."
Rob Halford also paid tribute, saying:
"As we remember what would have been Bon Scott's 80th birthday, we celebrate far more than a rock singer. We celebrate a free spirit that could never be contained."
He continued:
"Bon had a rare gift. He made people feel alive. His voice carried mischief, grit, humor and honesty. He sang with the conviction of someone who had lived every word. And that authenticity continues to resonate across generations."
Mike McCready shared AC/DC riffs, including "Highway to Hell," and reflected on Scott's influence:
"In 1979, I cut out the cover of my Let There Be Rock record and made it into a stencil and spray-painted on the back of my jacket. I love that band so much. And Bon for sure."
Other artists participating in the tribute include The Darkness' Justin Hawkins and Judas Priest's Ian Hill.
The Bon Scott estate began celebrating Scott's 80th birthday in February. The celebration includes the third annual Bon's Birthday Bash, taking place Thursday in New York.
More information is available at BonScottOfficial.com.
Content for this summary was derived from original reporting by ABC Audio, as featured on 105.7 The Point