AC/DC’s original lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980. His exact date of death was 19 February 1980, when he was 33 years old.
Scott, born Ronald Belford Scott, was born in Scotland in 1946 and grew up in Western Australia. He joined AC/DC in 1974 and became the band’s second lead vocalist, following Dave Evans. His gritty voice and rebellious lyrics helped define albums including Let There Be Rock, Powerage, and Highway to Hell.
Scott died in London after a night out. The coroner’s report recorded acute alcohol poisoning and classified the death as misadventure. Because the death occurred shortly after AC/DC’s breakthrough with Highway to Hell, it created uncertainty about the band’s future. The remaining members briefly considered disbanding.
Instead, AC/DC recruited Brian Johnson, formerly of the British band Geordie. The group completed Back in Black later in 1980 as a tribute to Scott. That album became one of the best-selling records in music history, while Johnson continued as AC/DC’s lead singer. A common mix-up is placing Scott’s death in 1979, the year Highway to Hell was released, but he died the following year.