Highway to Hell : The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott [Paperback]

Clinton Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001

The definitive account of AC/DC'ss rise to fame, when the cheeky lyrics and charismatic presence of Bon Scott, along with the guitar work of Angus and Malcolm Young, defined a new, highly influential brand of rock and roll. Drawing on original interviews and including many rare photos, this book traces AC/DC'ss career through the life of their original front man.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

First published in Australia in 1994 and completely revised for its American debut this biography of the late AC/DC singer Scott (1947-80) can be summed up by one of his frank quotes: "They say to me, 'Are you AC or DC?,' and I say, 'Neither, I'm the lightnin' flash in the middle.' " After joining one of rock'n'roll's landmark bands, he provided the creative and charismatic spark necessary for AC/DC to reach worldwide fame. And like a flash of lightning, he quickly faded, suffering a well-documented alcohol-related death. Gladly, Walker (Stranded: The Secret History of Australian Independent Music) not only illustrates the early stages of AC/DC but also takes readers on a rollicking tour through the formative years of Australia's rock scene and Scott's prior musical career as a reluctant teen pop star. Littered with drunken escapades, throngs of loose women, and ample road stories, this work proves that the term "sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll" isn't just a catch phrase; it's a way of life. Recommended for larger public libraries and all music collections, as it sheds some much-needed light on Down Under's musical roots. Robert Morast, "Argus Daily Leader," Sioux Falls, SD
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Bon Scott was possibly the most likeable rogue ever to walk the earth, and Clinton Walker paints a vivid picture... -- Who Weekly (Australia)

“Great stories about Bon’s reckless spirit, about the Young brothers, about what being on the road is really all about. -- Metal Hammer

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Verse Chorus Press (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891241133
• ISBN-13: 978-1891241130
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mr Walker sure has done his homework!, June 28, 2004

By 

Micheal Hunt (Hellbourne) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highway to Hell : The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott (Paperback)

This book was great. I don't often read anything, but this one only took a short amount of time because I couldn't stop reading it. It dives back into the life of Bon Scott, but not the Bon Scott that is whats sort of "mythical" or "legend", nor does it start from when Bon joined AC/DC!

This book was originally supposed to be a movie, but Alberts wouldn't allow a movie about Bon to be made. Clinton Walker has not given you a collection of rumors or story's that are just words of fans who heard rumors, he has actually gone and found friends & family of Bon, and gone straight to the horses mouth for the info, from the people who knew Bon best!

It starts from the beginning of Bons life; And gradually tells you about Bon's life during the 50's & 60's, and the previous bands he was with, and why they collapsed. It is very surprising to find out who Bons closest friends actually where!!! Not to mention that many of Australia's best rock bands members all kind of worked together at one stage, or knew each other, it is very interesting to read about who Bon knew!

Then of coarse, the life into Bon's introduction to AC/DC. And it lays to rest the rumors that Bon was a driver/roadie type of person for the band, it explains why people would think that, and the real story of how Bon joined AC/DC; and you will discover it was on purpose, not accidentally as many have come to believe!

There is a lot of great information that let you into the life of not just a rock & roll legend that we are all familiar with fronting the worlds greatest rock band, but also who Ronald Scott was on the inside. He was not the wild man everyone saw him as, he had a public image that he would put on, but behind the front mans public mask, there beat the painful heart of a man who's dream was to be the biggest. And he got there after a hard struggle. But unfortunately, when he got there, he didn't have anyone to share that glory with. You'll find out that Bon, despite what his public interviews and character said, he was really searching for love and someone to take care of him. My thoughts on when Bon died, it wasn't just choking on his own vomit as you would have heard. He was also dieing of a broken heart. The poor man achieved fame, but didn't find love before his time had come.

Many other interesting things I found from this book. How Bonny got into AC/DC, who Bon really was, Who Bon's friends where, how Bon was not as solid in the band as you might think, he was considered disposable of and replaceable by the Youngs until around about 1977!! It also speaks about the struggles and hurdles of AC/DC, they where almost dropped by Atlantic until pretty much the Highway To Hell album! There struggles on the road in the early days, there disrespect in Australia, and there hard fight as they discovered that it really is a long way to the top, if you wanna rock n roll!

The only reason I drop it one star is that I feel that Walker has a grudge about the Young Brothers. He seems ticked about them not wanting to be interviewed for the book, and maybe having something to do with the movie not being made? But he speaks about there shyness like it was some kind of disgrace, and he just doesn't seem to have much nice to say about Angus or Malcolm, and I get a strong vibe that he feels that the Youngs pushed him into his grave, and drove him to drink himself to death. But I don't think so, Bon i'm sure died of a broken heart after splitting up with his girl. Then it doesn't seem to talk about AC/DC's success after Bons death, it mentions the 80's and early 90's, but doesn't mention the success they had with LIVE performances as they always did from the beginning. He seems to have gone out of his way to try to make it look like AC/DC died when Bon did, and blames the Youngs for it.

But apart from some bad blood issues; I think the book is great, letting us see the Bon that we never knew, and his days with Fraternity and the Valentines, even back with the Spektors, his hay days in Perth and what Bon would get up to, the great story's of friends memory's of Bon, and the sad tragedy that Bon was seen as the wild legendary front man of a great powerful rock band, but on the inside, just your average Joe looking for friends and love, and who sadly didn't get to settle down as he wanted to

Rest In Peace Ronald Bon Scott - We Salute You

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BON SCOTT MASTERPIECE!, July 7, 2001

By 

Stephen E. Malo "King of the Six String" (Litchfield, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Highway to Hell : The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott (Paperback)

Before we get started, let's make one thing clear. I am an AC/DC nut. They are my favorite band and have been for 15 years. Sorry to the elders, but being 29 I got in ASAP in the mid to late 80's.

I love this book. I thought I knew it all, but I did not. Bon possibley being thrown out of the band? Contradictory to everything I've read or heard.

The book is gripping, especially the 2nd half. A must read for any AC/DC fan who thought he knew it all. Trust me...you don't.

Great read and great buy. Well written. Highly recommended.

I hope the author writes the "Brian Years". I need to know more...

Steve Malo Litchfield, CT USA

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bon Scott is etched into my heart & soul and will remain there FOREVER!, October 16, 2005

By 

Ms Stef "Stef" (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highway to Hell : The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott (Paperback)

If you are going to read a biography about Bon Scott and/or AC/DC then THIS book is definately the one to read.

Very well written. Intelligent, detailed, honest and was definately written from the heart. A truly excellent piece of work.
The author had had encounters with Bon personally and seeked out Bons friends & family for information and had Bons parents consent and blessing to do so. Bons mother said, after Clinton Walker asked if it was ok to write a book about Ronald Belford Scott, "Bon would have liked that".
Alberts, who had the AC/DC rights were uncooperative. How absolutely arrogant of them.
In any case Clinton Walker did a brilliant job and this is definately a MUST READ for all Bon Scott lovers.
I was only 7 or 8 years old around the time AC/DC brought out "It's a long way to the top - if you wanna rock n roll", living in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and loved it instantly as I did every other song AC/DC brought out when Bon was singing with the band. Sorry Brian but there is just no comparison.
Bon has made a deep impact into so many millions of lives and the whole world, I'm sure, still mourns this brilliant artist and lover of music (and women).
Bon left us far too early but he will NEVER be forgotten. He will always be loved.