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Fremantle Honours Bon Scott On What Would Have Been Late Rocker's 80th Birthday

Tyler Jenke

“He gifted us with great Rock ’n’ Roll lyrics delivered in an impish manner, and was determined to show us all, it is a ‘long way to the top if you wanna Rock ’n’ Roll,'" reflected Angus Young.

Bon Scott
Bon Scott(Credit: Supplied)
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The Western Australian city of Fremantle is honouring one of their favourite sons, late AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott.

Scott was born 80 years ago today – July 9th, 1946 – in the Scottish town of Forfar, moving to Australia in 1952 before settling in Fremantle four years later. It was there that Scott began to enter the world of music, performing in The Spektors as a vocalist and drummer, before a merger of local bands resulted in The Valentines.

While he would move to Adelaide in 1970, joining Fraternity and eventually AC/DC as their lead vocalist, Fremantle’s undeniable link to Scott is strong, and in February 2008, a bronze statue of Scott was unveiled at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.

It's at this statue that Minister for Creative Industries and State MLA for Fremantle, Simone McGurk and Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver gathered this morning to celebrate the life and legacy of the late rocker, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 33.

“On what would have been Bon Scott’s 80th birthday, we celebrate a Fremantle legend whose voice, energy and originality helped shape Australian music and inspired generations of artists to follow,” said Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson.

“Bon Scott’s story is a reminder of why the creative arts matter so much to our community, and why Fremantle’s place as both an incubator of original music and the staging ground for iconic performances continues to be a hallmark of our distinctive cultural strength.”

With music fans also gathering in Fremantle to celebrate Scott’s life, fans are encouraged to turn the day into a city-wide celebration, urged to visit local pubs, cafés, and breweries, while the Little Creatures will be blaring out AC/DC all across the weekend, and the Fremantle Dockers vs. Sydney Swans AFL match this evening will also feature a special tribute to Bon.

"I don’t think anyone, least of all the man himself, expected Bon Scott to reach 80 years of age – however when he was around, he packed a lot in and remains one of WA’s most loved and celebrated rock legends,” said McGurk.

“In Freo we like to claim Bon Scott as our own and so it’s fitting that we mark what would have been his 80th birthday here in the city he called home.”

“Bon Scott helped put Fremantle on the world’s musical map,” echoed Lawver. “Forty-six years after his passing, people still make the journey here because of what he represents.”

“This city has never forgotten Bon, and on his 80th birthday we invite everyone to come and celebrate with us.”

“Whether you’re a lifelong AC/DC fan or discovering Bon for the first time, Fremantle is where his story lives.”

Scott’s former AC/DC bandmate Angus Young also weighed in on the legacy of his late musical companion, reflecting on the impact of the vocalist on the history of Australian rock music.

“When Bon was asked ‘Are you AC or DC?’ his answer was ‘I’m the lightning bolt in the middle,’” Young recalled. “In my mind he was, and always will be the lightning bolt in the middle.

“He gifted us with great Rock ’n’ Roll lyrics delivered in an impish manner, and was determined to show us all, it is a ‘long way to the top if you wanna Rock ’n’ Roll.’

“Cheers Bon, enjoy your birthday. Rock us all away.”

The celebrations in Fremantle are among a number of tributes to Scott both at home and abroad. While his estate revealed a number of celebrations taking place around the world earlier this year, last month saw the unveiling of an impressive mural in Melbourne's AC/DC Lane.

The mural was created by Melbourne-based artist Era, and is based on exclusive commemorative artwork by Reg Mombassa of Mental As Anything, who’s also an award-winning artist.

“Fifty years ago, Bon Scott and AC/DC made Aussie rock history when they rolled down Swanston Street on the back of a flatbed truck – bagpipes in tow – for their iconic It’s A Long Way To The Top music video,” said Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece.

“This moment sparked a surge of cultural energy that still reverberates today. Melbourne is the undisputed home of live music in Australia, and AC/DC is part of our city’s DNA.”