LENDA HARD ROCK AUSTRALIANA BON SCOTT VAI TER DIREITO A ESTÁTUA



SYDNEY (Billboard) - In an unusual ruling, the grave site of AC/DC singer Bon Scott in Fremantle Cemetery in Western Australia was classified with a heritage listing Wednesday (February 15).

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Scott's legend has grown since February 19, 1980, when he died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 33.

Heritage listings usually are reserved for buildings, but the grave was recognized because it is visited by thousands of fans each year, a reflection of AC/DC's global popularity. A 2004 Australian movie, "Thunderstruck," centered on a group of AC/DC fans journeying across the country to visit Scott's resting place.

"For that particular form and style of music, AC/DC were very significant in bringing that kind of music to the world," says Kim Haynes, the National Trust's Western Australia heritage officer.

In addition, the Western Australia Bon Scott fan club's efforts to erect a Scott statue in Pioneer Park opposite the Fremantle railway station have received the blessing of Fremantle mayor Peter Tagliaferri.

Fremantle Council is discussing the idea, and Tagliaferri is hopeful the statue will be up by the end of the year. But Doug Thorncroft, president of the fan club, is pushing for a July unveiling, to coincide with what would have been Scott's 60th birthday. The club is starting a campaign to raise the $60,000 price tag for the statue.

Saturday, bands around Australia are holding tribute nights for Scott to mark the anniversary of his death. At Melbourne's Hi Fi Bar, AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck will be joined onstage by former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans before a crowd expected to include Scott's widow, Irene.

Reuters/Billboard