There have been a huge number of books on AC/DC over the years (though nothing official so far) and almost, it seems, as many books about their highly original and influential former lead singer Bon Scott. There’s a huge legend around the man of course, and hailing (as far as his Australian roots are concerned) from Fremantle out in Western Australia there are many stories still untold.
Jesse Fink’s book is an interesting read and a great page-turner whether you’re particularly interested in Bon himself of just a lover of a great Rock and Roll story. A few years back now in 2013 the same author released ‘The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC’ another great read for AC/DC fans, so if you liked that look into the AC/DC legend you’ll love this one too.
The difficulty anyone has of course with writing about AC/DC is their legendary privacy and the fact that the remaining members of the Bon Scott era band rarely talk to the media and certainty not writers. That of course makes things rather difficult, even acquaintances have to look back through the mists of 37 years since Bon’s passing, and there is the tendency that as memories fade, stories and legends get stronger.
Its those legends and stories that are the backbone of Fink’s book so if you like your Rock and Roll full of tabloid headline grabbing antics, sex, booze and drugs then there’s a steady stream on offer i the first half. Bon,as we all know was rather fond of each of those temptations and Fink has managed to find a few old drinking and snorting acquaintances there’s no one really of note who we haven’t heard from (or similar) before. It’s a shame of course but was always going to be.No one of course from Ac/DC or their management has anything to say.
Where the book falls down for some might be in that one-dimensional approach, though to be fair Fink does take steps to mitigate the excess with a softer, more sympathetic reading of a rock and roller and his human flaws. And he does tell the story well too so you can forgive even some of the more robust forays across old ground.
For most though the major flaw might be in the book’s scope – as we really miss out on the early story of Bon, and though you could argue that, well the book is subtitled ‘The Untold Story of Bon Scott and AC/DC’s Back in Black’ I do believe that Scott’s formative years give a real insight into the later man who wasn’t quite sure where he fitted in despite, or maybe even partly because of the adoration of the fans.
The book is divided into four parts each documenting a year from 1977 to 1980 and each chapter often very tenuously given the title of an AC/DC song rather than a chapter number. Where it excels is in the detail of those 4 years that really set up the legend of the band and it’s there that you’ll find the real gems especially in the US part of the story which is often rather glossed-over.
Of course with an AC/DC story a lot of what we do get is all rather established,but there are shards of detail here and a clear delight on Fink’s part of telling the story that it makes even the most retrod tale fresh again.
The second half of the book is the most interesting and potentially controversial as Fink delves into a number of loose ends around the singer’s death with not a conspiracy story un-soundchecked. You get everything from the circumstances of his death, why, where, who might have been with him through to the age old question of whether he did in fill or in part write the lyrics to ‘Back in Black’.
Only 33 when he died, Bon Scott was one of rock’s true originals and over time has ended up as one of the biggest figures in Rock mythology along with the likes of Hendrix, Morrison, Lennon, Mercury, Joplin, Moon and Bonham, all who suffered similarly untimely deaths. Jesse Fink’s book puts the microscope on the years that made AC/DC into the legendary band they are today and seeks to get a grip on the unanswered questions around Bon Scott’s death. It’s a riveting read.