Meta Description: Discover how AC/DC overcame the loss of Bon Scott by introducing Brian Johnson, creating the iconic “Back in Black” album, and continuing their legacy in rock music.
How AC/DC Overcame the Loss of Bon Scott and Thrived with Brian Johnson
Not many bands can endure the loss of their lead singer, particularly if that singer is as important to the group’s sound as Bon Scott was to AC/DC. Scott was a key member who helped establish the hard rock icons as one of the best rock and roll bands of their time. He joined them in 1974, and when he tragically died in 1980 from alcohol poisoning, AC/DC faced the difficult decision of whether to carry on or give up.
AC/DC Finds a New Voice in Brian Johnson
AC/DC eventually came upon the English vocalist Brian Johnson after going through a list of possible Bon Scott replacements. The Australian group was able to maintain their dominance of the hard rock scene worldwide with Johnson. Fans of the band are divided about the vocalist, with many preferring Bon Scott’s distinctive tones. However, Johnson was crucial to the band’s continued existence, and they never lost their intense affection and respect for Scott.
The Challenge of Replacing Bon Scott
Naturally, it was by no means simple to replace Scott. Arguably the best album in AC/DC’s vast discography, Highway to Hell was Scott’s final release with the group before his tragic passing. It was always going to be hard to top the record’s genius. Things got even worse when Brian Johnson joined the group. He was a completely new frontman. But from the first few tracks of Johnson’s debut album, Back in Black, all skepticism regarding the singer’s background was dispelled.
“Hells Bells”: A Tribute to Bon Scott
The band’s new chapter paid a moving homage to their fallen comrade on the album’s lead single, “Hells Bells.” In essence, the whole Back in Black album pays homage to their friend and former bandmate, Bon Scott. However, “Hells Bells” pays a particularly clear tribute to Scott. A solemn, slow bell tolls to open the song, and Angus Young’s well-known guitar riff eventually takes over.
Recording the iconic funeral bell for the tribute took a lot of work. The band first tried recording the sound at Loughborough Carillon Tower, but the quality was just too poor. At that point, most bands would have used a basic studio sound effect. However, AC/DC chose differently. They had a massive one-ton bronze bell made from scratch, specifically for use on the recording.
“Hells Bells” began to take shape after employing a total of fifteen microphones to record the bell’s tolling, performed by the man who had built it. Though it might not seem like the most sincere ode to Scott, the anthem “I got my bell, I’m gonna take you to hell, I’m gonna get you, Satan get you” stands out. It’s exactly the kind of tribute that seemed to fit the vocalist’s life more than anything else. In actuality, Johnson claims that Scott’s ghost was present in the space when he was writing those lines.
The Legacy of “Back in Black”
By extension, “Hells Bells” and Back in Black both celebrated the band’s history and solidified the amazing new era of AC/DC. It’s possible that the hard rock group would have become obscure and failed to bounce back from Bon Scott’s passing. That album played a crucial role in their recovery and ensured AC/DC’s place in rock history.
Conclusion
AC/DC’s ability to overcome the loss of Bon Scott and thrive with Brian Johnson is a testament to their resilience and dedication to rock music. With iconic tracks like “Hells Bells” and the legendary Back in Black album, AC/DC not only paid tribute to their fallen comrade but also forged a powerful new chapter in their storied career.
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