Rock Greats Honor Bon Scott on Late AC/DC Singer’s 80th Birthday

Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, and other rock greats have paid tribute to the late Bon Scott on what would have been the AC/DC singer’s 80th birthday.

To mark the 80 years since Scott’s birth on July 9, 1946, his estate has been sharing rare archival footage of the singer in action on his official YouTube channel, as well as enlisting the likes of Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, Helmet’s Page Hamilton and more to commemorate Scott.

“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,” Halford, wearing a Bon Scott shirt, said in his video tribute. 

“Bon had a rare gift: He made people feel alive,” he continued. “His voice carried mischief, grit, humor, and honesty. He sang with the conviction of someone who had lived every word, and that authenticity continues to resonate across generations.”

Elliott shared an anecdote about still owing Scott “10 quid” from when Scott bought him drinks when Def Leppard and AC/DC toured together in 1979. “Bless him, he never got it back,” Elliott said. “Learned a lot from Bon Scott from watching him every night. This guy knew how to command a crowd. Phenomenal frontman. Great, underrated singer.”

Shortly after the release of Highway to Hell, Scott died in February 1980 at the age of 33. His former bandmates in AC/DC will embark on the latest North American leg of their Power Up Tour this Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.