1 00:00:14,980 --> 00:00:16,420 Hello. 2 00:00:16,420 --> 00:00:16,660 This year marks 50 years, if you can believe it, Hello. 3 00:00:16,660 --> 00:00:19,340 This year marks 50 years, if you can believe it, 4 00:00:19,340 --> 00:00:22,100 since two incredible forces collided. 5 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:22,340 since two incredible forces collided. Bon Scott joined AC/DC. 6 00:00:22,340 --> 00:00:25,100 Bon Scott joined AC/DC. 7 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:28,180 Two years ago, Australian Story had a world exclusive 8 00:00:28,180 --> 00:00:32,180 with Bon Scott's brother speaking publicly for the first time, 9 00:00:32,180 --> 00:00:35,900 along with others in Bon's close circle who'd kept quiet for decades. 10 00:00:35,900 --> 00:00:38,980 It's one of the most popular stories in this program's history. 11 00:00:38,980 --> 00:00:39,220 It's one of the most popular stories And to mark the 50th anniversary, 12 00:00:39,220 --> 00:00:41,060 And to mark the 50th anniversary, 13 00:00:41,060 --> 00:00:43,780 we're bringing you an encore screening. 14 00:00:48,820 --> 00:00:50,460 ('DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP' PLAYS) 15 00:00:50,460 --> 00:00:51,980 MAN: Mark it. MAN: 32, one. 16 00:00:51,980 --> 00:00:52,220 MAN: Mark it. MAN: 32, one. Hello. This is Bon from AC/DC. 17 00:00:52,220 --> 00:00:54,780 Hello. This is Bon from AC/DC. 18 00:00:54,780 --> 00:00:56,860 And although we're overseas at the moment, 19 00:00:56,860 --> 00:00:59,100 dining with the Queen, of course, you know, 20 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:00,380 we haven't forgotten about you. 21 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:03,140 # Well 22 00:01:03,140 --> 00:01:06,060 # If you're having trouble with your high school head 23 00:01:06,060 --> 00:01:08,740 He was the best rock'n'roll singer I've ever seen. 24 00:01:10,260 --> 00:01:12,660 # You want to graduate but not in his bed 25 00:01:12,660 --> 00:01:14,940 To this day, I don't think there's a rock'n'roll singer in the world 26 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:15,180 To this day, I don't think there's that can hold their own against him. 27 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:16,940 that can hold their own against him. 28 00:01:16,940 --> 00:01:20,100 # Pick up the phone, I'm all alone 29 00:01:20,100 --> 00:01:20,340 Bon was part poet, part pirate, # Pick up the phone, I'm all alone 30 00:01:20,340 --> 00:01:25,100 Bon was part poet, part pirate, part street fighter. 31 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:25,340 Bon was part poet, part pirate, WOMAN: He used to always say to me, 32 00:01:25,340 --> 00:01:27,140 WOMAN: He used to always say to me, 33 00:01:27,140 --> 00:01:31,140 "I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time." 34 00:01:31,140 --> 00:01:34,820 # Dirty deeds # Done dirt cheap... # 35 00:01:34,820 --> 00:01:36,900 MAN: I said, "Ron, you are gonna bloody... 36 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:38,380 "You are gonna ------- kill yourself. 37 00:01:38,380 --> 00:01:41,860 "You're ------- going mad, you know? Do something about it." 38 00:01:41,860 --> 00:01:42,100 "You're ------- going mad, you know? (MUMBLES INAUDIBLY) 39 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:43,860 (MUMBLES INAUDIBLY) 40 00:01:43,860 --> 00:01:46,060 (GROANS, LAUGHS) 41 00:01:46,060 --> 00:01:50,340 He wanted to go home. He wanted to be with his family. 42 00:01:50,340 --> 00:01:53,300 Unfortunately, he... 43 00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:55,500 ..went for the bottle instead. 44 00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:58,140 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 45 00:01:58,140 --> 00:01:59,900 # Done dirt cheap. # 46 00:01:59,900 --> 00:02:01,860 (CHEERING AND SCREAMING) 47 00:02:16,580 --> 00:02:19,300 MAN: When the band was making it in London, 48 00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:19,540 MAN: When the band was I lost my first name. 49 00:02:19,540 --> 00:02:21,140 I lost my first name. 50 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:23,340 I became "Bon Scott's brother". 51 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:29,140 I mean, it's nice everyone's interested 52 00:02:29,140 --> 00:02:31,140 and I reckon that's fantastic. 53 00:02:31,140 --> 00:02:32,980 But...leave me out of it. 54 00:02:34,220 --> 00:02:35,980 That's his life, that's not my life. 55 00:02:38,140 --> 00:02:41,940 A lot of the stories that have been written in the books are bullshit. 56 00:02:41,940 --> 00:02:46,780 A lot of what was written early upset my mother. Greatly. 57 00:02:50,060 --> 00:02:52,300 This is the first interview I've ever done 58 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:55,460 and it will be the last one I ever do. 59 00:02:55,460 --> 00:03:00,060 And I'm only doing it because I'm the last person standing. (LAUGHS) 60 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:08,580 The Scott family had a bakery in Kirriemuir in Scotland. 61 00:03:10,020 --> 00:03:13,540 My father wanted a new start and settled in Fremantle. 62 00:03:15,700 --> 00:03:17,620 Ron was about five. 63 00:03:18,740 --> 00:03:20,940 My mother used to call him Ronnie. 64 00:03:20,940 --> 00:03:24,940 So it was "Ronnie Scott from Bonny Scotland". 65 00:03:24,940 --> 00:03:29,500 It wasn't until he started in the band that they broke it down to Bon. 66 00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:32,020 But in the family, we always called him Ron. 67 00:03:32,020 --> 00:03:32,260 But in the family, (BAGPIPES SKIRL) 68 00:03:32,260 --> 00:03:33,980 (BAGPIPES SKIRL) 69 00:03:33,980 --> 00:03:37,860 WOMAN: He was very quiet when you were with him by yourself. 70 00:03:39,020 --> 00:03:43,820 But when Bonny was around a lot of people, he...he was a performer. 71 00:03:47,540 --> 00:03:51,300 He enjoyed the cheekiness of it all. 72 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:51,540 He wanted to be He enjoyed the cheekiness of it all. 73 00:03:51,540 --> 00:03:54,380 He wanted to be the centre of attention a lot. 74 00:03:54,380 --> 00:03:56,420 He loved being the centre of attention. 75 00:03:58,220 --> 00:04:00,420 I put it down to his size, 76 00:04:00,420 --> 00:04:04,060 because he was only five foot tall at the time. 77 00:04:04,060 --> 00:04:08,060 You could not dare Ron to do anything, because he would do it. 78 00:04:08,060 --> 00:04:08,300 You could not dare Ron to do He would take the challenge up. 79 00:04:08,300 --> 00:04:10,100 He would take the challenge up. 80 00:04:10,100 --> 00:04:13,140 And I think that was because he was trying to prove himself. Yeah. 81 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:23,900 When Ron was 16, he got mixed up with the law. 82 00:04:27,660 --> 00:04:30,660 He did 12 months in the Riverbank institution. 83 00:04:34,940 --> 00:04:36,940 I don't know what went down. 84 00:04:36,940 --> 00:04:39,660 And my parents never talked about that. 85 00:04:41,660 --> 00:04:46,420 Bonny had sex with a girl that was 15. 86 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:52,500 It was consensual, but in those days, it was carnal knowledge. 87 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:56,420 Bonny never spoke about it. Bonny was very embarrassed. 88 00:04:56,420 --> 00:05:01,580 And the fact that his grandmother died while he was in detention. 89 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:04,620 He knew he let his parents down. 90 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:04,860 But Ron's time in there, He knew he let his parents down. 91 00:05:04,860 --> 00:05:06,780 But Ron's time in there, the 12 months, 92 00:05:06,780 --> 00:05:09,540 was probably the best 12 months he's ever spent. 93 00:05:09,540 --> 00:05:14,100 It not only taught him a little bit of responsibility and everything else 94 00:05:14,100 --> 00:05:15,700 and settled him down, 95 00:05:15,700 --> 00:05:20,500 but while he was in there, the other people in there were playing guitars, 96 00:05:20,500 --> 00:05:22,020 so they formed a band. 97 00:05:22,020 --> 00:05:25,060 And when he came out, he had a direction. 98 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:25,300 And when he came out, (CHEERING AND SCREAMING) 99 00:05:25,300 --> 00:05:26,980 (CHEERING AND SCREAMING) 100 00:05:26,980 --> 00:05:29,780 # Whenever I feel blue # Yeah-eah 101 00:05:29,780 --> 00:05:32,860 MAN: The minute he got out, he knew what he wanted to do 102 00:05:32,860 --> 00:05:35,100 and he formed the Spektors. 103 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:37,300 # That's why you're on my mind 104 00:05:37,300 --> 00:05:40,740 They would do covers of all their favourites, like Chuck Berry... 105 00:05:40,740 --> 00:05:43,060 # You treat me cruel # Yeah, yeah-eah 106 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:43,300 # You treat me cruel # And when I'm left behind 107 00:05:43,300 --> 00:05:44,540 # And when I'm left behind 108 00:05:44,540 --> 00:05:45,660 He was playing drums. 109 00:05:45,660 --> 00:05:47,700 # You gonna be on my mind... # 110 00:05:47,700 --> 00:05:47,940 But he also loved the spotlight of being a singer, # You gonna be on my mind... # 111 00:05:47,940 --> 00:05:50,220 But he also loved the spotlight of being a singer, 112 00:05:50,220 --> 00:05:53,620 so he was a little bit torn between drumming and singing. 113 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:53,900 so he was a little bit torn between drumming and singing. (BAND PLAYS 'MY OLD MAN'S A GROOVY OLD MAN') 114 00:05:53,900 --> 00:05:55,820 (BAND PLAYS 'MY OLD MAN'S A GROOVY OLD MAN') 115 00:05:55,820 --> 00:05:56,060 (BAND PLAYS 'MY OLD MAN'S MAN: I was in a band. 116 00:05:56,060 --> 00:05:57,220 MAN: I was in a band. 117 00:05:57,220 --> 00:05:57,460 We were opposition bands MAN: I was in a band. 118 00:05:57,460 --> 00:06:00,820 We were opposition bands in a very small club scene. 119 00:06:00,820 --> 00:06:01,060 We were opposition bands (SINGS INDISTINCTLY) 120 00:06:01,060 --> 00:06:03,020 (SINGS INDISTINCTLY) 121 00:06:03,020 --> 00:06:03,220 I suggested to Bon that we join ranks (SINGS INDISTINCTLY) 122 00:06:03,220 --> 00:06:05,580 I suggested to Bon that we join ranks 123 00:06:05,580 --> 00:06:05,820 and have...form one band and have two lead singers. I suggested to Bon that we join ranks 124 00:06:05,820 --> 00:06:09,740 and have...form one band and have two lead singers. 125 00:06:09,740 --> 00:06:10,020 and have...form one band and have two lead singers. # He's a hip-hip, hippity-hip, hip-hip, yeah... # 126 00:06:10,020 --> 00:06:12,780 # He's a hip-hip, hippity-hip, hip-hip, yeah... # 127 00:06:12,780 --> 00:06:14,220 And we formed a band called the Valentines. 128 00:06:14,220 --> 00:06:16,740 # Oh, my old man's a groovy old man... # 129 00:06:16,740 --> 00:06:20,100 MAN: Bonny was down the back singing some harmonies 130 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:23,780 and hardly noticeable, really, in the Valentines. 131 00:06:23,780 --> 00:06:24,060 But he was definitely, on the live gigs, he was the star of the show. and hardly noticeable, really, in the Valentines. 132 00:06:24,060 --> 00:06:29,900 But he was definitely, on the live gigs, he was the star of the show. 133 00:06:29,900 --> 00:06:30,140 But he was definitely, on the live gigs, he was the star of the show. And Vince knew it too. 134 00:06:30,140 --> 00:06:32,420 And Vince knew it too. 135 00:06:35,020 --> 00:06:38,780 The Valentines reached a pretty big height 136 00:06:38,780 --> 00:06:39,020 The Valentines reached and then there was nowhere to go. 137 00:06:39,020 --> 00:06:40,980 and then there was nowhere to go. 138 00:06:40,980 --> 00:06:42,740 Like, our music wasn't up there anymore. 139 00:06:44,380 --> 00:06:47,740 As it turns out, there was a vacancy in a band called Fraternity 140 00:06:47,740 --> 00:06:51,700 and the bass player, Bruce Howe, invited Bon to join the band. 141 00:06:51,700 --> 00:06:53,700 (PLAY 'SEASONS OF CHANGE') 142 00:06:56,660 --> 00:06:58,900 MAN: He seemed to me to be much happier 143 00:06:58,900 --> 00:07:01,380 in his new role where he was the man. 144 00:07:01,380 --> 00:07:01,620 in his new role # I try... # 145 00:07:01,620 --> 00:07:05,060 # I try... # 146 00:07:05,060 --> 00:07:05,300 There was no question that Bon wanted to be a rock star # I try... # 147 00:07:05,300 --> 00:07:09,620 There was no question that Bon wanted to be a rock star 148 00:07:09,620 --> 00:07:12,420 and go as far as he could possibly go. 149 00:07:12,420 --> 00:07:12,660 and go as far as he could possibly go. He lived for it. He lived for it. 150 00:07:12,660 --> 00:07:14,940 He lived for it. He lived for it. 151 00:07:14,940 --> 00:07:22,500 # And it makes me cry... # 152 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:25,900 MC: First prize, $2,000 in cash... 153 00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:27,660 (GIRLS SCREAM) 154 00:07:27,660 --> 00:07:30,140 ..a return trip to Los Angeles by P&O... 155 00:07:31,740 --> 00:07:34,220 ..from Adelaide, Fraternity! 156 00:07:34,220 --> 00:07:36,700 (ALL SCREAM WILDLY) 157 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:44,900 All the very best. 158 00:07:44,900 --> 00:07:48,300 We did it for Adelaide too. We really did it for you. 159 00:07:48,300 --> 00:07:49,700 (SCREAMING) Thank you. 160 00:07:52,900 --> 00:07:55,820 VICTOR MARSHALL: The band was really interested in going to America, 161 00:07:55,820 --> 00:07:57,740 but Bon's past had caught up with him, 162 00:07:57,740 --> 00:08:00,700 and now his misdemeanours prevented him from getting a green card. 163 00:08:01,780 --> 00:08:05,060 So it was decided that the band would go to England. 164 00:08:07,780 --> 00:08:10,020 BRUCE HOWE: Towards the end of '71, 165 00:08:10,020 --> 00:08:13,100 Bon met Irene and she... she sort of moved in. 166 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:16,500 The management decided that 167 00:08:16,500 --> 00:08:18,820 only wives would get a free trip to England, 168 00:08:18,820 --> 00:08:19,060 only wives would get a free trip girlfriends had to pay. 169 00:08:19,060 --> 00:08:20,980 girlfriends had to pay. 170 00:08:20,980 --> 00:08:24,020 Four months later, they were married. 171 00:08:27,340 --> 00:08:30,060 DEREK SCOTT: London was a disaster, I think, for the band. 172 00:08:30,060 --> 00:08:30,300 DEREK SCOTT: London was a disaster, They found it very hard to get work. 173 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:32,540 They found it very hard to get work. 174 00:08:32,540 --> 00:08:35,180 We went to England and we got a house. 175 00:08:35,180 --> 00:08:37,740 Like, 20 people in one house, a three-bedroom house. 176 00:08:37,740 --> 00:08:41,500 And we played gigs that cost us twice as much money to play 177 00:08:41,500 --> 00:08:43,540 as it did to get paid for them, you know? 178 00:08:43,540 --> 00:08:46,180 It wasn't a waste of time, because I learned so much there, you know? 179 00:08:46,180 --> 00:08:47,980 But it was a... (SLAP!) 180 00:08:47,980 --> 00:08:50,100 ..bashing your head against a brick wall type thing. 181 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:55,740 Bon's performance style at that time was... 182 00:08:55,740 --> 00:08:58,580 ..well, basically was there was no style. 183 00:08:58,580 --> 00:08:58,860 ..well, basically was there was no style. He would just stand there and sometimes with his head down. 184 00:08:58,860 --> 00:09:01,820 He would just stand there and sometimes with his head down. 185 00:09:03,660 --> 00:09:07,300 He stuck to the microphone stand like a security blanket, 186 00:09:07,300 --> 00:09:09,780 and he didn't... didn't use the stage. 187 00:09:09,780 --> 00:09:10,020 and he didn't... And I'd say, you know, 188 00:09:10,020 --> 00:09:11,500 And I'd say, you know, 189 00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:14,180 you've got to reach the audience at the back of the room 190 00:09:14,180 --> 00:09:16,820 rather than sort of just the people that are down the front. 191 00:09:17,980 --> 00:09:20,820 And we would talk about how to use television, you know, 192 00:09:20,820 --> 00:09:23,460 look down, straight down the barrel, follow the camera. 193 00:09:23,460 --> 00:09:23,700 look down, straight down the barrel, # You don't know where you are... # 194 00:09:23,700 --> 00:09:26,940 # You don't know where you are... # 195 00:09:26,940 --> 00:09:27,180 Bon was like a sponge, and he was learning and taking and grabbing, # You don't know where you are... # 196 00:09:27,180 --> 00:09:30,780 Bon was like a sponge, and he was learning and taking and grabbing, 197 00:09:30,780 --> 00:09:35,580 you know, bits to make his...his craft better. 198 00:09:36,740 --> 00:09:40,300 And Fraternity was where Bon learnt to sing, 199 00:09:40,300 --> 00:09:42,380 was where Bon learnt to be a frontman. 200 00:09:43,900 --> 00:09:48,220 I think...I think it was a really great place for him 201 00:09:48,220 --> 00:09:48,460 I think...I think it was to launch out of. 202 00:09:48,460 --> 00:09:49,700 to launch out of. 203 00:09:53,180 --> 00:09:55,420 VICTOR MARSHALL: But after a couple of years of struggle, 204 00:09:55,420 --> 00:09:57,660 Fraternity had to admit defeat in England 205 00:09:57,660 --> 00:10:00,660 and they came back to Australia and they basically fell apart. 206 00:10:00,660 --> 00:10:03,420 And that put a strain on all their relationships. 207 00:10:05,420 --> 00:10:08,220 Bon and Irene basically had separated. 208 00:10:08,220 --> 00:10:11,020 He's not in a band for the first time in ten years. 209 00:10:11,020 --> 00:10:11,300 He had to get a day job at the Wallaroo fertiliser plant He's not in a band for the first time in ten years. 210 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:15,660 He had to get a day job at the Wallaroo fertiliser plant 211 00:10:15,660 --> 00:10:16,980 on the Port Adelaide docks, 212 00:10:16,980 --> 00:10:17,180 on the Port Adelaide docks, and he thought his dreams were over. 213 00:10:17,180 --> 00:10:19,100 and he thought his dreams were over. 214 00:10:22,900 --> 00:10:25,300 If we didn't work for a week or so... 215 00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:28,900 ..that's it, he would go nuts. 216 00:10:33,820 --> 00:10:36,300 There was no future. There was only now. 217 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:38,820 And he would take risks on his motorbike. 218 00:10:40,700 --> 00:10:43,780 He didn't give a bugger whether he lived or died the next day. 219 00:10:46,580 --> 00:10:48,820 DEREK SCOTT: There was a pattern with Ron, yeah. 220 00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:50,860 He did get bored very quickly. 221 00:10:52,140 --> 00:10:54,980 He never worried about tomorrow. Tomorrow's another day. 222 00:10:54,980 --> 00:10:55,220 He never worried about tomorrow. Tomorrow's another day. (ENGINE REVS) 223 00:10:55,220 --> 00:10:57,060 (ENGINE REVS) 224 00:10:57,060 --> 00:10:59,100 WOMAN: Bon's life was about fun. 225 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:02,380 I think he used to push the envelope. 226 00:11:03,820 --> 00:11:06,020 It was just in his nature. 227 00:11:09,580 --> 00:11:11,460 My mother always told him off. 228 00:11:11,460 --> 00:11:13,620 "You're drinking so much." 229 00:11:13,620 --> 00:11:16,340 And that was from 16, 17. 230 00:11:17,420 --> 00:11:21,380 But you could say it once, maybe twice. After that... 231 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:21,620 But you could say it once, ..he argued. 232 00:11:21,620 --> 00:11:22,940 ..he argued. 233 00:11:27,820 --> 00:11:31,260 Things took a turn for the worse when Bon had an argument. 234 00:11:31,260 --> 00:11:31,500 Things took a turn for the worse Bon was upset. He had a bit to drink. 235 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:34,380 Bon was upset. He had a bit to drink. 236 00:11:34,380 --> 00:11:34,620 And against all advice, he roared off Bon was upset. He had a bit to drink. 237 00:11:34,620 --> 00:11:38,540 And against all advice, he roared off on his motorbike into the night. 238 00:11:41,020 --> 00:11:44,820 MAN: On 3 May 1974, we were heading back from Port Adelaide 239 00:11:44,820 --> 00:11:45,060 MAN: On 3 May 1974, we were after going to the Findon Hotel. 240 00:11:45,060 --> 00:11:46,500 after going to the Findon Hotel. 241 00:11:48,100 --> 00:11:50,340 A motorcycle came out from nowhere. 242 00:11:52,180 --> 00:11:55,060 The motorcycle hit the car. 243 00:11:55,060 --> 00:11:56,380 (ENGINE RUMBLES) 244 00:11:56,380 --> 00:11:57,860 (CRASH!) 245 00:11:57,860 --> 00:11:58,100 The rider came (CRASH!) 246 00:11:58,100 --> 00:11:59,980 The rider came half through the windscreen 247 00:11:59,980 --> 00:12:04,580 and his helmet hit the head... hit the roof of the vehicle. 248 00:12:06,460 --> 00:12:09,660 It was a shocking set of injuries. 249 00:12:11,340 --> 00:12:15,220 He had blood coming down from his helmet. 250 00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:20,700 It was about 36 hours later on Sunday morning 251 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:20,940 It was about 36 hours later we opened up the Sunday Mail 252 00:12:20,940 --> 00:12:22,540 we opened up the Sunday Mail 253 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:22,780 we opened up the Sunday Mail and we learnt then that Bon Scott from Fraternity... 254 00:12:22,780 --> 00:12:26,420 and we learnt then that Bon Scott from Fraternity... 255 00:12:28,020 --> 00:12:29,980 ..was the victim of the accident. 256 00:12:31,940 --> 00:12:34,340 He had a fractured skull. 257 00:12:34,340 --> 00:12:37,300 He had crushed ribs. All his...his teeth were missing. 258 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:37,580 He had crushed ribs. All his...his teeth were missing. His jaw was wired up, and he was a mess. 259 00:12:37,580 --> 00:12:39,380 His jaw was wired up, and he was a mess. 260 00:12:41,100 --> 00:12:44,020 He found it very difficult to walk. He had a walking stick. 261 00:12:44,020 --> 00:12:49,580 And he was worried that he would not be able to get up and sing again. 262 00:12:51,420 --> 00:12:54,620 Although the crash was tragic, it was also serendipitous - 263 00:12:54,620 --> 00:12:57,620 but for the crash, Bon mightn't have been in town 264 00:12:57,620 --> 00:13:01,260 when a new, young hot-shot band called AC/DC came to Adelaide 265 00:13:01,260 --> 00:13:01,500 when a new, young hot-shot band a couple of months later. 266 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:03,060 a couple of months later. 267 00:13:03,060 --> 00:13:07,340 # I met this girl for the first time on Saturday night... # 268 00:13:07,340 --> 00:13:10,180 AC/DC weren't happy with their lead singer, Dave Evans. 269 00:13:10,180 --> 00:13:14,860 # Standing in the queue at the Odeon, alright... # 270 00:13:14,860 --> 00:13:15,140 At the time, the guy we had doing, churning out the vocals, # Standing in the queue at the Odeon, alright... # 271 00:13:15,140 --> 00:13:18,380 At the time, the guy we had doing, churning out the vocals, 272 00:13:18,380 --> 00:13:21,780 you know, we felt, well, we wanted more a rock'n'roll... 273 00:13:21,780 --> 00:13:22,020 you know, we felt, well, we wanted more a rock'n'roll... # Can I sit next to you, girl? 274 00:13:22,020 --> 00:13:25,420 # Can I sit next to you, girl? 275 00:13:25,420 --> 00:13:28,300 # Can I sit next to you, girl? # 276 00:13:30,460 --> 00:13:32,300 Bon's old friend Vince Lovegrove 277 00:13:32,300 --> 00:13:35,420 suggested that AC/DC take a look at Bon. 278 00:13:35,420 --> 00:13:37,540 They said, "Oh, he's a bit old, isn't he?" 279 00:13:37,540 --> 00:13:40,660 And I said, "Mate, he'll rock the arse off you guys. 280 00:13:40,660 --> 00:13:41,940 "Make no mistake about that." 281 00:13:43,300 --> 00:13:47,140 Bon came to see AC/DC right here at the Bridgeway Hotel in Adelaide. 282 00:13:47,140 --> 00:13:49,660 He got up and sang a few songs that night with them. 283 00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:52,820 BON: I was really shitting myself. 284 00:13:52,820 --> 00:13:55,740 Here's me, a man of 27 years old, 285 00:13:55,740 --> 00:13:59,700 there was him about 18 at the time, you know, 16 or whatever he was. 286 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:02,260 And I thought, "Can I keep up with this guy?" You know? 287 00:14:02,260 --> 00:14:02,500 And I thought, "Can I keep up "My God, he's gonna kill me." 288 00:14:02,500 --> 00:14:04,780 "My God, he's gonna kill me." 289 00:14:04,780 --> 00:14:05,020 I think from the moment he got "My God, he's gonna kill me." 290 00:14:05,020 --> 00:14:09,540 I think from the moment he got on stage, he was just, you know... 291 00:14:09,540 --> 00:14:12,380 ..you know, just one of those people that had that presence. 292 00:14:12,380 --> 00:14:16,020 So we more or less asked him if he was looking for a gig, you know? 293 00:14:17,380 --> 00:14:21,140 That was it. Bon didn't hesitate. He packed his bags 294 00:14:21,140 --> 00:14:21,380 That was it. Bon didn't hesitate. and he was off with AC/DC. 295 00:14:21,380 --> 00:14:23,620 and he was off with AC/DC. 296 00:14:23,620 --> 00:14:25,820 (THUMPING GUITAR RIFF) 297 00:14:27,420 --> 00:14:30,180 JIMMY BARNES: Word got around - it went around like wildfire - 298 00:14:30,180 --> 00:14:30,420 JIMMY BARNES: Word got around - that Bon was asked to join the band. 299 00:14:30,420 --> 00:14:32,660 that Bon was asked to join the band. 300 00:14:33,860 --> 00:14:36,340 It did not surprise me one bit. 301 00:14:36,340 --> 00:14:38,060 I just thought it was a match made in heaven. 302 00:14:41,340 --> 00:14:43,260 FIFA RICCOBONO: He had a tooth missing. 303 00:14:43,260 --> 00:14:43,500 FIFA RICCOBONO: He had tattoos all over him. 304 00:14:43,500 --> 00:14:44,860 He had tattoos all over him. 305 00:14:44,860 --> 00:14:47,540 He was loud, he was cussing, 306 00:14:47,540 --> 00:14:51,460 but he just fitted in so well with the band, it was ridiculous. 307 00:14:54,740 --> 00:14:56,980 PHILIP MORRIS: Bon was totally more extroverted. 308 00:14:58,540 --> 00:15:03,780 I couldn't believe the change from Fraternity to AC/DC. 309 00:15:03,780 --> 00:15:04,020 I couldn't believe the change from Fraternity to AC/DC. It was just like a different person. 310 00:15:04,020 --> 00:15:05,780 It was just like a different person. 311 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:11,900 I remember sitting in the studio watching them record. 312 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:12,140 I remember sitting in the studio And it was just... They were just on. 313 00:15:12,140 --> 00:15:15,380 And it was just... They were just on. 314 00:15:15,380 --> 00:15:17,300 They were fuckin' on. 315 00:15:17,300 --> 00:15:17,540 And it was...you know, it was... They were fuckin' on. 316 00:15:17,540 --> 00:15:20,540 And it was...you know, it was... it was frightening to watch. 317 00:15:20,540 --> 00:15:25,500 MAN: All the while, Bon had his notebook of phrases and lyrics, 318 00:15:25,500 --> 00:15:28,620 and it was light-heartedly called "toilet poetry". 319 00:15:28,620 --> 00:15:28,900 Lines he thought were appealing, potential lyrics. and it was light-heartedly called "toilet poetry". 320 00:15:28,900 --> 00:15:32,100 Lines he thought were appealing, potential lyrics. 321 00:15:34,140 --> 00:15:36,460 VINCE LOVEGROVE: He wrote poetry from the street. 322 00:15:36,460 --> 00:15:40,660 It wasn't pretty, but it was real, it was working class. 323 00:15:40,660 --> 00:15:44,820 This is how the people who bought AC/DC records talked. 324 00:15:44,820 --> 00:15:45,060 This is how the people who bought They related to Bon's words. 325 00:15:45,060 --> 00:15:46,460 They related to Bon's words. 326 00:15:46,460 --> 00:15:49,900 You gotta keep your eyes and ears open for... 327 00:15:49,900 --> 00:15:53,100 ..lines and words, you know? And ideas and just pictures, you know? 328 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:55,620 And sort of... And kangaroos. 329 00:15:55,620 --> 00:15:57,340 Kangaroos. And you write around, you know? 330 00:15:57,340 --> 00:15:57,580 They were definitely ribald. Kangaroos. And you write around, you know? 331 00:15:57,580 --> 00:15:58,860 They were definitely ribald. 332 00:15:58,860 --> 00:16:02,260 I mean, just about every song had something to do with sex. 333 00:16:02,260 --> 00:16:03,940 But very clever. 334 00:16:03,940 --> 00:16:04,180 But very clever. INTERVIEWER: Many people see your use of indecent language in your... 335 00:16:04,180 --> 00:16:07,980 INTERVIEWER: Many people see your use of indecent language in your... 336 00:16:07,980 --> 00:16:08,220 INTERVIEWER: Many people see your ..act as, well, outrageous. 337 00:16:08,220 --> 00:16:10,460 ..act as, well, outrageous. 338 00:16:10,460 --> 00:16:12,740 Do you see it as an essential part of your act? 339 00:16:12,740 --> 00:16:15,500 (LAUGHS) I've never said 'fuck' onstage yet. 340 00:16:16,780 --> 00:16:19,380 MAN: Just said it then! (LAUGHS) 341 00:16:19,380 --> 00:16:23,300 MAN: Five, four, three, two, one. 342 00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:27,100 Fade up. # Countdown... # 343 00:16:27,100 --> 00:16:29,620 MAN: When Countdown began on ABC TV... 344 00:16:29,620 --> 00:16:30,940 Go! 345 00:16:30,940 --> 00:16:34,060 ..that was sort of almost tailor-made for AC/DC. 346 00:16:34,060 --> 00:16:37,980 Colour television, this explosive band. 347 00:16:37,980 --> 00:16:41,340 And over the next few years, AC/DC would appear on Countdown 348 00:16:41,340 --> 00:16:41,580 And over the next few years, nearly 40 times. 349 00:16:41,580 --> 00:16:43,340 nearly 40 times. 350 00:16:43,340 --> 00:16:45,660 # Baby, please don't go 351 00:16:45,660 --> 00:16:47,780 # Baby, don't go down to New Orleans 352 00:16:47,780 --> 00:16:50,660 # You know I love you so, baby, please don't go... # 353 00:16:50,660 --> 00:16:50,940 They would absolutely thrive on the atmosphere # You know I love you so, baby, please don't go... # 354 00:16:50,940 --> 00:16:54,500 They would absolutely thrive on the atmosphere 355 00:16:54,500 --> 00:16:57,020 of having the audience there, touchable. 356 00:16:57,020 --> 00:16:57,260 of having the audience there, touchable. # Babe 357 00:16:57,260 --> 00:16:58,980 # Babe 358 00:17:00,740 --> 00:17:02,660 # Babe... # 359 00:17:04,260 --> 00:17:09,540 It really gave him the opportunity of working the stage. 360 00:17:09,540 --> 00:17:09,780 It really gave him the opportunity # Baby, please don't go... # 361 00:17:09,780 --> 00:17:11,660 # Baby, please don't go... # 362 00:17:11,660 --> 00:17:11,900 He just ate up television. # Baby, please don't go... # 363 00:17:11,900 --> 00:17:15,140 He just ate up television. He was made for it. 364 00:17:15,140 --> 00:17:15,380 He just ate up television. # Ow! 365 00:17:15,380 --> 00:17:16,180 # Ow! 366 00:17:17,420 --> 00:17:19,020 # Oh, no 367 00:17:19,020 --> 00:17:20,540 # Babe... # 368 00:17:22,140 --> 00:17:24,460 (PLAYS 'LONG WAY TO THE TOP' RHYTHM) 369 00:17:31,420 --> 00:17:34,460 And then Bon had that little scribble on the back of his book, 370 00:17:34,460 --> 00:17:37,860 you know, "It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll," 371 00:17:37,860 --> 00:17:40,900 which, you know, I think said it all, you know, 372 00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:41,140 which, you know, I think especially for a band like us. 373 00:17:41,140 --> 00:17:42,780 especially for a band like us. 374 00:17:42,780 --> 00:17:46,500 You know, we felt, "We're gonna just be playing rock'n'roll music. 375 00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:49,980 "You know, it will be, you know, a long way to the top." 376 00:17:49,980 --> 00:17:50,220 "You know, it will be, you know, # Ridin' down the highway 377 00:17:50,220 --> 00:17:52,660 # Ridin' down the highway 378 00:17:54,060 --> 00:17:56,380 # Goin' to a show... # 379 00:17:56,380 --> 00:17:59,180 PAUL DRANE: When Molly said to me, "OK, Long Way To The Top, 380 00:17:59,180 --> 00:18:01,740 "I think this is gonna be a number one hit, it's gonna be massive. 381 00:18:01,740 --> 00:18:05,860 "So Bon wants to be able to include the bagpipes 382 00:18:05,860 --> 00:18:08,100 "in any sort of clip that we might do." 383 00:18:08,100 --> 00:18:10,780 # Gettin' beat up, broken bones... # 384 00:18:10,780 --> 00:18:15,420 So my thought was, how about we put AC/DC on the back of a truck 385 00:18:15,420 --> 00:18:18,620 and have them sing the song as they're going down Swanston Street? 386 00:18:18,620 --> 00:18:23,260 # It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll... # 387 00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:27,060 (BAGPIPES SKIRL) 388 00:18:27,060 --> 00:18:29,260 Bon was rapt, he loved the idea. 389 00:18:29,260 --> 00:18:31,500 Angus, everybody thought it was great. 390 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:31,740 Angus, everybody I was recently amazed to hear 391 00:18:31,740 --> 00:18:33,980 I was recently amazed to hear 392 00:18:33,980 --> 00:18:39,540 that there has been over 35 million viewings of that clip. 393 00:18:39,540 --> 00:18:44,100 # It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll... # 394 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:46,620 And the whole clip was made for about 300 bucks. 395 00:18:46,620 --> 00:18:50,580 # It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock'n'roll... # 396 00:18:50,580 --> 00:18:53,100 So, this could only happen on Countdown. 397 00:18:53,100 --> 00:18:54,420 Whoa. Hey! 398 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:58,460 MOLLY MELDRUM: Here we are at Mascot Airport to say farewell to AC/DC. 399 00:18:58,460 --> 00:18:58,740 Their vision was they were going to go out and conquer the world. MOLLY MELDRUM: Here we are at Mascot Airport to say farewell to AC/DC. 400 00:18:58,740 --> 00:19:01,980 Their vision was they were going to go out and conquer the world. 401 00:19:01,980 --> 00:19:03,540 Nothing was going to stop them. 402 00:19:05,220 --> 00:19:07,740 ANGUS YOUNG: Probably from the beginning, you know, 403 00:19:07,740 --> 00:19:11,820 we had that arrogance that we could do it, you know, we had no fear. 404 00:19:14,300 --> 00:19:18,740 I always thought as a band, you know, we could go out 405 00:19:18,740 --> 00:19:23,300 and stand up with any band in the world, you know. 406 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:25,460 Mwah. Oh! 407 00:19:25,460 --> 00:19:27,780 MURRAY ENGLEHEART: By 1976, AC/DC had gone 408 00:19:27,780 --> 00:19:28,020 MURRAY ENGLEHEART: as far as they could in Australia. 409 00:19:28,020 --> 00:19:29,340 as far as they could in Australia. 410 00:19:29,340 --> 00:19:31,780 (ALL CHATTER) 411 00:19:33,020 --> 00:19:34,540 They were hugely popular. 412 00:19:34,540 --> 00:19:34,780 So in April '76, They were hugely popular. 413 00:19:34,780 --> 00:19:37,220 So in April '76, they went to London, 414 00:19:37,220 --> 00:19:40,980 and Bon was probably thinking, "Well, this is my second chance. 415 00:19:40,980 --> 00:19:44,380 "It didn't work for Fraternity. This has to work this time." 416 00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:48,140 MOLLY MELDRUM: Well, here we are. Welcome to Countdown in London. 417 00:19:48,140 --> 00:19:49,580 And we've been searching around, 418 00:19:49,580 --> 00:19:51,460 and what better group to start off with in London 419 00:19:51,460 --> 00:19:54,220 than our own Australian group, and it's AC/DC. 420 00:19:54,220 --> 00:19:57,220 Fancy meeting you here, mate. Yeah, isn't it marvellous? 421 00:19:57,220 --> 00:19:57,500 Bon absolutely knew that he was in a band Fancy meeting you here, mate. Yeah, isn't it marvellous? 422 00:19:57,500 --> 00:19:59,820 Bon absolutely knew that he was in a band 423 00:19:59,820 --> 00:20:02,100 that was going to take over the world, he really did. 424 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:02,380 that was going to take over the world, he really did. You look more at home here than I've ever seen anywhere in my life. 425 00:20:02,380 --> 00:20:05,460 You look more at home here than I've ever seen anywhere in my life. 426 00:20:05,460 --> 00:20:07,620 Yeah, Piccadilly Square is the place where people come 427 00:20:07,620 --> 00:20:10,620 to sit and look at other people sitting and looking at other people. 428 00:20:10,620 --> 00:20:13,620 He wasn't big-noting himself or the band, 429 00:20:13,620 --> 00:20:16,140 he just saw the whole...the future. 430 00:20:16,140 --> 00:20:18,700 So when did this build-up sort of first start occurring? 431 00:20:18,700 --> 00:20:20,500 We sort of played around here pretty regular, 432 00:20:20,500 --> 00:20:22,580 we got a really good following in London, you know. 433 00:20:22,580 --> 00:20:24,540 Like, even the first gig we ever played, 434 00:20:24,540 --> 00:20:25,900 at a little pub called The Red Cow, 435 00:20:25,900 --> 00:20:28,780 the next night, half that pub was in The Nashville Room, 436 00:20:28,780 --> 00:20:29,020 the next night, half that pub another place we played, you know. 437 00:20:29,020 --> 00:20:30,380 another place we played, you know. 438 00:20:30,380 --> 00:20:32,980 And they'd just sort of tell their friends and they all come along. 439 00:20:32,980 --> 00:20:33,220 And they'd just sort of tell their So, it's good. 440 00:20:33,220 --> 00:20:34,180 So, it's good. 441 00:20:35,820 --> 00:20:38,140 FIFA RICCOBONO: They were probably the hardest-working band 442 00:20:38,140 --> 00:20:38,380 FIFA RICCOBONO: They were probably on the planet at that stage. 443 00:20:38,380 --> 00:20:39,540 on the planet at that stage. 444 00:20:39,540 --> 00:20:41,580 I mean, they toured relentlessly. 445 00:20:42,860 --> 00:20:45,100 That started in the UK, then it spread out to Europe. 446 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:52,620 Hello. This is Bon from AC/DC telling you to stick around, 447 00:20:52,620 --> 00:20:52,860 Hello. This is Bon from AC/DC because really soon, 448 00:20:52,860 --> 00:20:54,020 because really soon, 449 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:56,500 we've got our brand-new single, Jailbreak, coming up. 450 00:20:56,500 --> 00:20:59,780 # I said, I ain't spending my life here 451 00:21:01,020 --> 00:21:03,620 # I ain't living alone... # 452 00:21:03,620 --> 00:21:05,580 MAN: As AC/DC became more successful, 453 00:21:05,580 --> 00:21:10,900 that gave Bon more of a platform to live life to the fullest. 454 00:21:10,900 --> 00:21:11,140 that gave Bon more of a platform # Gonna make a jailbreak... # 455 00:21:11,140 --> 00:21:13,900 # Gonna make a jailbreak... # 456 00:21:13,900 --> 00:21:15,060 He was becoming famous... 457 00:21:15,060 --> 00:21:17,060 # And I'm looking towards the sky... # 458 00:21:17,060 --> 00:21:21,940 ..and his standing allowed him to party, almost an excuse to party. 459 00:21:22,900 --> 00:21:26,060 PHILIP MORRIS: I think he was living his dream as a rock'n'roller. 460 00:21:26,060 --> 00:21:28,500 The girls, the drink, the drugs. 461 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:31,900 He was on stage, he was performing. You know, he was in his element. 462 00:21:36,620 --> 00:21:37,980 # Spotlights 463 00:21:39,380 --> 00:21:41,140 # Sirens 464 00:21:42,860 --> 00:21:45,860 But when they came back in the late '70s, 465 00:21:45,860 --> 00:21:49,300 he was drinking more excessively then. 466 00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:53,980 It was a bit of a worry to see him going that way. 467 00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:54,260 He could drink like a fish, of course, but... It was a bit of a worry to see him going that way. 468 00:21:54,260 --> 00:21:56,300 He could drink like a fish, of course, but... 469 00:21:56,300 --> 00:21:58,540 And when, you know, when you look at where I came from, 470 00:21:58,540 --> 00:22:00,820 that's saying something, you know. 471 00:22:04,180 --> 00:22:06,380 BRUCE HOWE: The last time I saw him 472 00:22:06,380 --> 00:22:09,060 was getting close towards the end of '79. 473 00:22:11,220 --> 00:22:14,260 He bought a 40-ounce bottle of Scotch... 474 00:22:15,900 --> 00:22:19,860 ..and he started asking me questions about bloody love and having a kid, 475 00:22:19,860 --> 00:22:26,260 and why did I put that in front of going for it, 476 00:22:26,260 --> 00:22:26,500 and why did I put that in front of going for it, you know, like he did, you know. 477 00:22:26,500 --> 00:22:28,780 you know, like he did, you know. 478 00:22:29,980 --> 00:22:32,340 His Holy Grail had always been 479 00:22:32,340 --> 00:22:32,580 to get to the top His Holy Grail had always been 480 00:22:32,580 --> 00:22:35,620 to get to the top in the rock'n'roll business. 481 00:22:35,620 --> 00:22:40,740 And maybe he'd come to the stage where he'd achieved his dream, 482 00:22:40,740 --> 00:22:40,980 And maybe he'd come to the stage you know, he'd found his Holy Grail. 483 00:22:40,980 --> 00:22:42,660 you know, he'd found his Holy Grail. 484 00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:42,900 But the Holy Grail was... you know, he'd found his Holy Grail. 485 00:22:42,900 --> 00:22:46,460 But the Holy Grail was... I don't know, 486 00:22:46,460 --> 00:22:49,060 just might have just looked like an empty goblet, 487 00:22:49,060 --> 00:22:49,300 just might have just looked and what was it all about? 488 00:22:49,300 --> 00:22:50,460 and what was it all about? 489 00:22:52,220 --> 00:22:55,100 VINCE LOVEGROVE: He said, "I really am getting sick of this. 490 00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:56,660 "You know, I'm sick of being on the road. 491 00:22:56,660 --> 00:22:59,620 "All I want to do is go out into the country somewhere. 492 00:22:59,620 --> 00:23:03,060 "I'd like to settle down and live an ordinary life 493 00:23:03,060 --> 00:23:05,300 "like anyone else and just play guitar." 494 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:12,780 Somewhere there, I believe there was a deep core of unhappiness. 495 00:23:12,780 --> 00:23:16,940 He was lonely. He was lonely for companionship. 496 00:23:16,940 --> 00:23:17,180 He was lonely. He was lonely for companionship. And I think he was now looking 497 00:23:17,180 --> 00:23:19,900 And I think he was now looking 498 00:23:19,900 --> 00:23:23,140 for someone to spend the rest of his life with. 499 00:23:24,580 --> 00:23:28,860 He was talking about wanting to return to Perth, 500 00:23:28,860 --> 00:23:31,660 because that's where he felt the most comfortable, 501 00:23:31,660 --> 00:23:31,900 because that's where and buying a property here. 502 00:23:31,900 --> 00:23:33,420 and buying a property here. 503 00:23:34,860 --> 00:23:38,940 He was looking in Spearwood, which was near his mum and dad. 504 00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:43,620 DEREK SCOTT: I think he was lonely. 505 00:23:43,620 --> 00:23:46,980 A lot of the guys in AC/DC, or most of them, were married then, 506 00:23:46,980 --> 00:23:47,220 A lot of the guys in AC/DC, and he wasn't. 507 00:23:47,220 --> 00:23:48,540 and he wasn't. 508 00:23:52,380 --> 00:23:54,260 You know, I think he... 509 00:23:54,260 --> 00:23:57,340 ..he was starting to feel it at the end, I think, yes. 510 00:23:57,340 --> 00:23:57,620 ..he was starting to feel it at the end, I think, yes. # Whoo! I'm on the highway to hell... # 511 00:23:57,620 --> 00:24:02,260 # Whoo! I'm on the highway to hell... # 512 00:24:02,260 --> 00:24:04,940 MURRAY ENGLEHART: By the time the Highway To Hell album came out, 513 00:24:04,940 --> 00:24:07,100 everything was just falling into place. 514 00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:10,980 All their hard work, building up an audience tour by tour in America. 515 00:24:10,980 --> 00:24:11,220 All their hard work, building up an # Don't stop me! # 516 00:24:11,220 --> 00:24:13,260 # Don't stop me! # 517 00:24:13,260 --> 00:24:15,300 Within the next 12 months, 518 00:24:15,300 --> 00:24:17,780 they were expected to be one of the biggest acts on the planet. 519 00:24:17,780 --> 00:24:18,020 they were expected to be one of The next album was gonna be 520 00:24:18,020 --> 00:24:19,460 The next album was gonna be 521 00:24:19,460 --> 00:24:19,700 the one that was really gonna The next album was gonna be 522 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:22,180 the one that was really gonna kick them over the posts. 523 00:24:22,180 --> 00:24:22,420 the one that was really gonna # Highway to hell... # 524 00:24:22,420 --> 00:24:23,860 # Highway to hell... # 525 00:24:23,860 --> 00:24:27,500 And it is the first time in his life that he had... 526 00:24:27,500 --> 00:24:30,660 ..you know, he'd actually felt he was accomplishing something. 527 00:24:30,660 --> 00:24:30,900 ..you know, he'd actually felt He got to be who he wanted to be. 528 00:24:30,900 --> 00:24:32,780 He got to be who he wanted to be. 529 00:24:32,780 --> 00:24:33,020 And the more we work, the more we tour, He got to be who he wanted to be. 530 00:24:33,020 --> 00:24:35,300 And the more we work, the more we tour, 531 00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:37,660 we're getting more ideas and we're getting more...you know? 532 00:24:37,660 --> 00:24:39,900 Just, it's gonna get better and better. 533 00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:40,140 I can't see an end to it, you know? better and better. 534 00:24:40,140 --> 00:24:41,860 I can't see an end to it, you know? 535 00:24:41,860 --> 00:24:43,980 It's like infinity rock'n'roll. 536 00:24:45,740 --> 00:24:47,580 BRIAN JOHNSON: Certainly inspired me. 537 00:24:47,580 --> 00:24:51,220 I think that's what he was to me more than anything - an inspiration. 538 00:24:51,220 --> 00:24:55,780 Even when I hear him talking in old interviews, I still laugh. 539 00:24:55,780 --> 00:24:58,540 Even if I've seen it 20 times, I still laugh. 540 00:24:58,540 --> 00:24:58,780 Even if I've seen it 20 times, And chuckle along with him. 541 00:24:58,780 --> 00:25:01,620 And chuckle along with him. 542 00:25:01,620 --> 00:25:01,820 And chuckle along with him. And, er, it's, uh... 543 00:25:01,820 --> 00:25:03,420 And, er, it's, uh... 544 00:25:03,420 --> 00:25:05,380 He was a special guy. 545 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:07,420 He really was. 546 00:25:07,420 --> 00:25:09,980 I wish I had've got to know him more. 547 00:25:11,660 --> 00:25:13,020 But I didn't. 548 00:25:14,100 --> 00:25:15,460 That's life. 549 00:25:23,220 --> 00:25:28,260 Over the years, there's been all sorts of theories and beliefs 550 00:25:28,260 --> 00:25:30,300 of what really happened to Bon. 551 00:25:31,540 --> 00:25:34,180 The band were in London. 552 00:25:34,180 --> 00:25:35,860 Malcolm and Angus were in the studio 553 00:25:35,860 --> 00:25:37,980 putting some rough ideas down for the next album. 554 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:40,700 But Bon wasn't required at that point, 555 00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:42,820 so he sort of had some time to himself. 556 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:48,140 FIFA RICCOBONO: My understanding is 557 00:25:48,140 --> 00:25:48,380 that he went out FIFA RICCOBONO: My understanding is 558 00:25:48,380 --> 00:25:50,620 that he went out and met up with friends 559 00:25:50,620 --> 00:25:54,580 and drank way too much and he came back with a friend. 560 00:25:56,140 --> 00:25:58,380 Alistair drove Bon back to Bon's place, 561 00:25:58,380 --> 00:25:58,620 Alistair drove Bon back but Bon had passed out on the way. 562 00:25:58,620 --> 00:26:00,860 but Bon had passed out on the way. 563 00:26:00,860 --> 00:26:02,660 He couldn't lift him, so he thought, 564 00:26:02,660 --> 00:26:05,700 "Well, I'll take him back to my place," which he did. 565 00:26:05,700 --> 00:26:05,940 "Well, I'll take him back Bon was sound asleep. 566 00:26:05,940 --> 00:26:07,580 Bon was sound asleep. 567 00:26:07,580 --> 00:26:10,380 And Alistair went upstairs 568 00:26:10,380 --> 00:26:13,300 and made Bon as comfortable as he could in the car. 569 00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:16,580 They came down, apparently, and threw a blanket over him 570 00:26:16,580 --> 00:26:16,820 so he wouldn't be cold. They came down, apparently, and threw a blanket over him 571 00:26:16,820 --> 00:26:18,260 so he wouldn't be cold. 572 00:26:18,260 --> 00:26:21,100 And then the rest is history - that he died the next morning. 573 00:26:28,260 --> 00:26:31,300 The coroner found that Bon had died of acute alcohol poisoning 574 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:31,540 The coroner found that Bon had died and death by misadventure. 575 00:26:31,540 --> 00:26:33,140 and death by misadventure. 576 00:26:35,700 --> 00:26:40,660 Bon passing as he did, on his own, in a car in the freezing cold, 577 00:26:40,660 --> 00:26:44,260 after all his hard work, and all his heartbreak getting there, 578 00:26:44,260 --> 00:26:44,500 after all his hard work, and was just an incredibly... 579 00:26:44,500 --> 00:26:46,740 was just an incredibly... 580 00:26:48,940 --> 00:26:54,140 ..sad, lonely and unglamorous way to go out. 581 00:26:57,020 --> 00:26:58,980 BRUCE HOWE: I hate to say this, 582 00:26:58,980 --> 00:27:04,580 but, unfortunately, when Ron died and I heard the circumstances, 583 00:27:04,580 --> 00:27:04,820 but, unfortunately, when Ron died I wasn't surprised. 584 00:27:04,820 --> 00:27:06,980 I wasn't surprised. 585 00:27:06,980 --> 00:27:08,260 MAN: 33, one. 586 00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:11,460 That pattern of getting bored and...and restless. 587 00:27:11,460 --> 00:27:14,900 He was only away from the studio for a few days in London, 588 00:27:14,900 --> 00:27:15,140 He was only away from the studio but his boredom that he faced here, 589 00:27:15,140 --> 00:27:17,860 but his boredom that he faced here, 590 00:27:17,860 --> 00:27:19,820 for him, that was excruciating. 591 00:27:21,260 --> 00:27:23,260 He drank far, far too much. 592 00:27:24,940 --> 00:27:28,700 I did wonder if he would push it too far one day. 593 00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:28,940 I did wonder if he would push And, sadly, he obviously did. 594 00:27:28,940 --> 00:27:32,140 And, sadly, he obviously did. 595 00:27:38,380 --> 00:27:41,740 It was a terrible time for the band. 596 00:27:41,740 --> 00:27:45,580 They were devastated and didn't know whether to continue or not. 597 00:27:45,580 --> 00:27:49,060 But it was Bon's parents that were very much behind... 598 00:27:49,060 --> 00:27:52,340 You know, they said Bon would never have wanted them to stop. 599 00:27:52,340 --> 00:27:55,820 So we decided we'd go ahead, you know? 600 00:27:55,820 --> 00:27:56,060 So we decided we'd go ahead, INTERVIEWER: Yeah. 601 00:27:56,060 --> 00:27:56,940 INTERVIEWER: Yeah. 602 00:27:56,940 --> 00:28:00,220 And Bon always...I always remembered Bon telling...telling us 603 00:28:00,220 --> 00:28:00,460 And Bon always...I always remembered how good a vocalist was, Brian was. 604 00:28:00,460 --> 00:28:02,700 how good a vocalist was, Brian was. 605 00:28:02,700 --> 00:28:05,380 BRIAN JOHNSON: As soon as they started playing 606 00:28:05,380 --> 00:28:06,820 and I was singing with them and everything, 607 00:28:06,820 --> 00:28:07,060 and I was singing with them my hairs were standing on end. 608 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:08,820 my hairs were standing on end. 609 00:28:08,820 --> 00:28:09,060 And, you know, it was just... it was...it was fantastic. my hairs were standing on end. 610 00:28:09,060 --> 00:28:13,740 And, you know, it was just... it was...it was fantastic. 611 00:28:13,740 --> 00:28:14,980 It was...it was wonderful. 612 00:28:14,980 --> 00:28:18,740 I'd never thought... I'd never sang with a band this good. 613 00:28:20,900 --> 00:28:23,660 MURRAY ENGLEHART: With Brian Johnson and the Back In Black Album, 614 00:28:23,660 --> 00:28:23,900 MURRAY ENGLEHART: With Brian Johnson AC/DC just really, really took off. 615 00:28:23,900 --> 00:28:26,260 AC/DC just really, really took off. 616 00:28:27,860 --> 00:28:29,460 And to this day, decades on, 617 00:28:29,460 --> 00:28:32,940 they're still the biggest rock act in the world, 618 00:28:32,940 --> 00:28:36,740 which was bittersweet, because it was where Bon was going to be. 619 00:28:36,740 --> 00:28:40,900 REPORTER: Thousands upon thousands of Acca/Dacca fans 620 00:28:40,900 --> 00:28:41,140 REPORTER: Thousands upon thousands have come down here to Fremantle 621 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:42,940 have come down here to Fremantle 622 00:28:42,940 --> 00:28:47,460 to pay tribute to the band and the former frontman Bon Scott. 623 00:28:47,460 --> 00:28:51,340 The thing about Bon Scott is that, as time has gone by, 624 00:28:51,340 --> 00:28:52,780 his legend has become bigger. 625 00:28:54,340 --> 00:28:58,860 He is now considered by millions of people around the world 626 00:28:58,860 --> 00:29:02,060 THE rock'n'roll singer, THE rock'n'roll frontman. 627 00:29:02,060 --> 00:29:05,220 FIFA RICCOBONO: There's an astounding global legacy 628 00:29:05,220 --> 00:29:06,900 that he's left all these years later. 629 00:29:06,900 --> 00:29:07,140 that he's left Those songs just live on. 630 00:29:07,140 --> 00:29:08,780 Those songs just live on. 631 00:29:11,300 --> 00:29:14,180 DEREK SCOTT: You know, I wish he was here to know that, 632 00:29:14,180 --> 00:29:16,740 that he'd made it. He really did make it. 633 00:29:20,500 --> 00:29:24,420 If Ron could see what was happening in the world today over himself, 634 00:29:24,420 --> 00:29:26,940 I think he'd have a good laugh. He really would. 635 00:29:26,940 --> 00:29:29,580 He'd be surprised, but he'd have a good laugh. 636 00:29:29,580 --> 00:29:29,820 He'd be surprised, And a drink. 637 00:29:29,820 --> 00:29:31,220 And a drink. 638 00:29:32,620 --> 00:29:35,540 (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) 639 00:29:42,740 --> 00:29:44,180 # Rifles 640 00:29:44,180 --> 00:29:46,140 # Firing 641 00:29:46,140 --> 00:29:48,340 # But he made it out 642 00:29:51,700 --> 00:29:54,340 # With a bullet in his back! 643 00:29:54,340 --> 00:29:54,580 # With a bullet # Jailbreak 644 00:29:54,580 --> 00:29:56,580 # Jailbreak 645 00:30:01,300 --> 00:30:03,300 # Jailbreak 646 00:30:08,500 --> 00:30:11,020 # Jailbreak... # 647 00:30:13,460 --> 00:30:15,820 Captions by Red Bee Media 648 00:30:15,820 --> 00:30:18,300 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation