Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and other rock musicians paid tribute to the late AC/DC singer Bon Scott on what would have been his 80th birthday.
Scott was born on July 9, 1946. His estate marked the occasion by sharing rare archival footage on the official YouTube channel and by enlisting tributes from artists including Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Helmet’s Page Hamilton.
Halford, wearing a Bon Scott shirt, said in a video tribute: “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 added that Scott “had a rare gift: He made people feel alive” and that “his voice carried mischief, grit, humor, and honesty.”
Elliott recalled owing Scott “10 quid” after the singer bought him drinks during a 1979 tour by Def Leppard and AC/DC. “Bless him, he never got it back,” Elliott said, noting that Scott was “a phenomenal frontman” and “great, underrated singer.”
Scott died in February 1980 at age 33 shortly after the release of Highway to Hell. AC/DC is scheduled to begin the latest North American leg of its Power Up Tour on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
