Bon Scott | Alcohol Poisoning Death

Australian rockstar Bon Scott was the frontman and songwriter of the legendary classic rock band AC/DC. Unfortunately, besides being known for his rock ‘n’ roll music and partying lifestyle, he’s also known for his untimely alcohol-related death in 1980.

How Did Bon Scott Die?

Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 in London at the age of 33. He was in a car owned by his friend Alistair Kinnear, a Renault 5. 

Scott was known to drink when he was bored, and that may have been what happened the day he died—his cause of death was acute alcohol poisoning and was officially classified as death by misadventure. 

He had gone to the Music Machine club the night before with friends where he drank heavily before falling asleep in Kinnear’s car.

Kinnear was the one who found Scott and called the authorities. Scott was taken to King’s College Hospital in Camberwell, London where he was pronounced dead.

Heroin Overdose Theory

There are theories that Bon Scott’s death was actually caused by a heroin overdose and not alcohol poisoning. Jesse Fink, the author of The Last Highway, believes that Scott suffered a heroin overdose and then aspirated on his own vomit until he died.

About Bon Scott

Bon Scott was born Ronald Belford Scott in Angus, Scotland on July 9, 1946, to Charles Belford Scott and Isabelle Cunningham Mitchell, and he spent most of his early years in Kirriemuir. He had two younger brothers named Derek and Graeme. 

At the age of 6, his family moved to Australia. They lived in Melbourne and then moved to Fremantle, Western Australia. It was there that he joined the Fremantle Scots Pipe Band drums.

First Band & Marriage

Scott formed his first band in 1964 called The Spektors and was the band’s drummer and an occasional vocalist. He went on to perform in two other bands including The Valentines and Fraternity. 

Scott married Irene Thornton in 1972, but they divorced in 1977. They remained friends until his death in 1980.

AC/DC

In 1974, Scott saw AC/DC in concert for the first time and replaced the original lead singer and vocalist, Dave Evans, that same day. 

The band included guitarists Malcolm Young and Angus Young, as well as Mark Evans on bass and Phil Rudd on drums. The band’s popularity started in Australia and then became huge in the mid to late 70s once Bon Scott joined.

After Scoot joined AC/DC, the band became well-known for multiple albums including High Voltage, Highway to Hell, T.N.T, Let There Be Rock, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

On Jan. 27, 1980,  the final show of the Highway to Hell tour took place at the Gaumont Theatre in Southampton, U.K. This would end up being Scott’s last show.

AC/DC After Scott’s Death

The band would have achieved huge commercial success but Scott died in 1980 before that could happen. After Scott’s death, the band thought they might disband but instead recruited Brian Johnson of the rock band Geordie to take over Scott’s role.

The band then released the Back in Black album five months after Scott’s death and it paid tribute to him. It became the second-best-selling album of all time.

Bon Scott’s History Of Substance Abuse

Bon Scott had a long history of substance abuse. He was well-known for drinking alcohol and doing drugs like cocaine and heroin. There were even two times when he overdosed on drugs and had to go to the hospital, and some still suspect heroin is what ultimately took his life.

Did Bon Scott Attend Alcohol Or Drug Rehab?

There is little evidence as to whether Bon Scott received any addiction treatment. Although he was treated at a hospital for two heroin overdoses, it doesn’t seem like he sought out or received any form of alcohol or drug rehab in his lifetime.

Recovery Is Possible

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, you don’t have to do it alone. 

Recovery is possible by developing coping mechanisms and relapse prevention tools, attending professional addiction treatment, and maintaining a network of ongoing support.

To learn how we treat alcohol and drug addiction, including heroin and cocaine abuse, please contact Ark Behavioral Health today.