Music Diary – 19th February

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 19th February!

On the 19th February 1980, one of the most outstanding frontman in Rock passed away: AC/DC singer Ronald Belford „Bon“ Scott died after a heavy night’s drinking. He was found dead in the car of his friend Alistair Kinnear in East Dulwich, 67 Overhill Road, London (UK). Bon was 33 years old.

Alistair about this very sad and tragic night:
„The day before, we cruised in my car, a blue Renault 5, through London and attended several bars and discos. When we entered the club ‚Music Machine‘ it was appr. 1.30 a.m. and Bon was in a very good mood and had already some drinks. After two hours, he was completeley drunk and I took him to my car and we drove home. When we arrived at my place, it was 4 a.m. and I tried to wake him up. But he was in a very deep sleep. So I decided to leave him in the car sleeping. And I left him a note, that I am upstairs in my flat. When I woke up on the 19th February, Bon was not around. I watched outside my window and saw him still sleeping in my car. I walked downstairs and when I opened the car, Bon was lifeless and vomit was all around. I called the emergency doctor, who could not do anything for him anymore. Bon’s body was brought into the Kings Collage Hospital for an autopsy. It was too much boose for his body, it was out, it was finished.“

Bon Scott was – like Angus and Malcolm Young – born in Scotland (9th July 1946) and moved with his family to Australia in 1952. He started his music career in 1964 as the drummer and singer of The Spektors. In 1966, Bon founded the pop band The Valentines. After the break up in 1970, Scott started his new group Fraternity, a Progressive Rock formation. And in 1974, Bon replaced Dave Evans as the lead singer of AC/DC. „Highway to Hell“ (1979) is the last LP featuring Bon’s unique singing. After the tragic death, the Young brothers decided to go on and with new singer Brian Johnson the comeback album „Back in Black“ was recorded and released in July 1980. This LP is still the second best-selling album of all time, only behind Michael Jackson’s megaseller „Thriller„.

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Music Diary – 17th February

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 17th February!

On the 17th February 1975, the AC/DC debut “High Voltage” was released in Australia. It’s still a collector’s item because the international version of this album is completely different, which features only the two songs “She’s got Balls” and “Little Lover”. Four more tracks were available later for the fans outside Australia on the EP “’74Jailbreak” in 1984. There you can find the rarities “You ain’t got a hold on me”, “Show Business”, “Soul Stripper” and the cover “Baby, please don’t go“. At least, the last two tunes from the Australian version of „High Voltage, the tunes “Stick around” and “Love Song”,  were finally released on the international compilation „Backtracks“ (2009).

All eight songs were recorded in November 1974 at the Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia. Produced by Vanda & Young (Harry Vanda and the older brother of Angus und Malcolm, George Young). The duo was a member of the successful popband The Easybeats and they were also the main songwriters for their big hit „Friday on My Mind“ (1966).

While recording „High Voltage“, the line up of AC/DC was a different one: Beside the founding members Angus and Malcolm Young and singer Bon Scott, the rhythm section was not really founded yet. Rob Bailey was the bass player and the drums part were played by Tony Currenti, Peter Clack and John Proud.

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Music Diary – 18th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 18th January!

AC/DC (1991)

On the 18th January 1991, a tragic accident happened during the AC/DC show at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah: At the beginning of the show, fans rushed the stage and due to the pushing and shoving three people were being trampled and killed. It took appr. 20 minutes before the security and the band recognised about this horrible incident, before stopping the concert.

In a band statement, AC/DC told that “nothing anyone can say or do will diminish the tragic loss or sense of grief” and they offered their “heartfelt sympathy” to the families. Singer Brian Johnson was so under a strain, that he couldn’t slept for a week. The families of the three killed teenaagers have settled out of court with AC/DC. As a result of this incident, no more festival seatings were installed for future events at the Salt Palace.

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Music Diary – 6th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 6th January!

Malcolm Mitchell Young (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017)

Happy birthday to Malcolm Mitchell Young, who was born on the 6th January 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland! In 1963 Malcolm and his family moved to Australia. His older brother George became a famous musician and was a member of the legendary band The Easybeats. Also Malcolm began playing the guitar and joined a band called „The Velvet Underground“ (not to be confused with the legendary US formation featuring Lou Reed and John Cale!). In 1973 he founded with his younger brother Angus Young his own band AC/DC, which became one of the most successful rock acts ever.

In 2014 Malcolm has to leave AC/DC due to health reasons and his nephew Stevie Young took over his place. His guitar work is featured on the latest record „Rock or Bust„. Malcolm Young died from the effects of dementia on 18th November 2017 at the age of 64 years.

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Good Things

                        

AC/DC – T.N.T. (Australian Edition)

Phil Rudd, Angus Young, Mark Evans, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott

On the 1st December 1975 the second AC/DC album „T.N.T.“ was released in Australia. And it also remarks the beginning of the classic line up featuring Mark Evans as the new bass player in the band. Like the debut „High Voltage„, also „T.N.T.“ was only available in Australia and most songs of the album were available later on the worldwide versions of „High Voltage“ and „Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap“.

Some remarkable things:
The song „Rock’n’Roll Singer“ is titled as „Rock’n’Singer“.
„Can I sit next to you Girl“ was recorded before with the first AC/DC singer Dave Evans and released on 22nd July 1974 as a single.

The new version on „T.N.T.“ is slightly different and approximately one minute longer.
The Chuck Berry song „School Days“ was until 1997 only available on this release. Then it was available on the „Bonfire“ box set.

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