Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Bon Scott's 62nd Birthday Tribute


In honor of Bon Scott's sixty-second birthday anniversary, I've decided to post a classic review of one of the band's early appearances at the world famous Hammersmith Odeon.

Though Clive Bennett is obviously not partial to their music, I think he perfectly captures the essence of what true fans love about AC/DC.


AC/DC HAMMERSMITH ODEON - BY CLIVE BENNETT

AC/DC (the allusion is to electrical energy not sexual ambivalence) are representative of a number of bands who place greater importance on generating frenzy than creating inventive music. Since they arrived from Australia seven months ago, they have established quite a following, not enough to sell out the Odeon but nevertheless wildly enthusiastic.

The group, a quintet, aim unashamedly at the teenage market. The youngest, Angus Young, the guitarist, wears shorts, school blazer and satchel and moves like a manic marionette. Their lead singer, Bon Scott, cannot emulate that but, stripped to the waist, pounds about the platform exercising his lungs and the equipment to the full.

Most of the songs are about conventionally taboo aspects of sex and genitalia. Their lyrics, which occasionally offer a glimmer of wit, deliberately employ the crudest and most direct language. Just as their elders like shouting rugby songs, so the teeny-boppers and not so teeny-boppers last night relished the communal chance to yell dirty words during the choruses.

My objections are to their music, not their words, which simply express without inhibitions what most of us have discussed innumerable times in private. Music of any sort must surely require more from performers than just the capacity to mindlessly bash their instruments into oblivion. It is this primeval state that AC/DC currently exist.

London Times, November 11, 1976


I submit to you that "primeval" is one of the best words you can use to portray what it's like to see AC/DC tear up the stage. Particularly during the raucous years when Bon Scott prowled concert halls like a fighting-cock on display in a show ring.

And what better way to describe Angus Young than as a "manic marionette?" Indeed, the man is possessed with a rocking fury; as if the Gods of Rock control him themselves just to amaze and amuse all that worship them.

However, there's nothing mindless about AC/DC, as most of us know. In their own way, they've perfected the art form known as "rock-n-roll" which is no easy task when you consider the millions of supposedly more intelligent bands that have tried and failed to do the same.

Bon Scott was the catalyst, the lightning in a bottle that brought AC/DC into focus and made them great. Twenty-eight years after his tragic death, I've yet to hear anyone who comes even close to touching his live performances. Brian Johnson, a worthy successor, has done a tremendous job though, and I, for one, can't begin to thank him enough for contributing all his talent and sheer guts to the best band in the world.

Thankfully, Angus, Malcolm and company carried on when they could have called it a day when Bon passed from this life. Even if you dislike AC/DC's music, you cannot deny that they are a shining example of perseverance. A good lesson for all of us that have loved and lost...

In my mind, Bon Scott's soul never departed from the band. I've no doubt that will be proved once again when AC/DC's new album hits the store shelves any day now.

R.I.P. Bon Scott
July 9, 1946 - February 19, 1980

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great Bon. You were and you're simply the best.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Bon!!! You'd be old enough for Social Security. I'll be raising a glass, or shot glass to ya.

Vera

Unknown said...

Extremely well-said, Jon! You're right, AC/DC carrying on after Bon's death is truly inspirational and I, too, believe Bon's spirit has been with the band all along.
Their Bon-era music is still as kick-ass relevant today as it was at that concert in 1976, and the Brian-era carries them forward with Bon into infinity.

Happy birthday, Bon!

Anonymous said...

"Tragic death?" Try "senseless death." It's the epitome of a wasted existence to drown in one's own vomit at the culmination of years of drinking oneself into oblivion night after night. The guy's an icon of a worthless human existence. Period.

Unknown said...

Damn I miss you Bon. You ARE Rawk & Roll! Happy 62nd, wherever you are...

Anonymous said...

Can't even feed my cat on social security.

GeologyJoe said...

Bon is the best!

If Bon were alive today do you think he would have gone through with the Wal-Mart deal?

That deal is so anti-rock n roll, anti-AC/DC it makes me sick.

Anonymous said...

I remember when you died. I miss you; you were the best. Never thought AC/DC could find a successor but Brian has done well.
Hope you are at peace.

Anonymous said...

Is Bon Scott one of the best singers of the 20th century? YEAHHHHHH!!!!

Anonymous said...

Bon Scott will never be forgotten in the rock world!

Unknown said...

yeh cheers to Bon. can't believe someone writing in The Times would put "illusion" when they obviously mean allusion though, John

Drexel said...

It's such a shame Bon is gone. I'm going to listen to "It's a Long Way to The Top" on the way home today. Damn, I miss Bon.

Anonymous said...

And a few more days ahead in observance of July 9th!

'Got a telelgram from Anabelle she said here daddy's on her way, With a loaded shotgun, he'll be arriving here today!'



--BOLERO

Anonymous said...

"illusion"? I thought the right world is "allusion"... anyways.. I might be wrong

and yeah.. Bon was amazing.. nothing but respect and more respect for his contribution to rock


P.S: glad to see this blog's still active.. it felt very quiet lately, especially considering all the new album hype

juanger said...

AC/DC en Latinoamerica a fines de este 2008, ¿sera posible?

Jon Talisman said...

To John and Tudor:

Clive did use the word "allusion" not "illusion." Just a mistake by me when transcribing the article.