The spirit of Bon Scott came out to party in the Big Apple for an electrifying tribute

Jul 10, 2024

Bon’s Birthday Bash (celebrating Bon Scott’s 78th birthday): 09 July 2024, Arlene’s Grocery, NYC:

Authorized by the Bon Scott Estate, the first OFFICIAL US tribute concert took place in NYC celebrating the late iconic AC/DC Singer & Lyricist, on what would have been his 78th birthday. Led & facilitated by NYC Guitarists John Jackson & Paul McGilloway, an All-Star Cast of reputable Rock & Roll Musicians rounded out the House Band, & in addition 16 Singers were brought in to each tackle a classic AC/DC Song, many of which were performed as the infamous 1977 “secret” CBGB show, a long-gone venue which stood not far in location from Arlene’s Grocery.

In pre-show conversations with the House Band members, it was disclosed that this was the FIRST of what the official Estate hopes to become an annual event leading up to his 80th birthday & beyond. With the intention to promote this inaugural concert in an intimate setting, only 80 tickets were sold to the event. Paul, playing the role of Angus Young, performed the gig with a 1971 Gibson SG guitar, a model very similar to the one used by Angus himself during the recording of the early albums. Throughout the evening, he played with the vigor & passion of his Hero, even doing his best to replicate many of his signature moves. And his counterpart John, in the role of Malcolm Young, playing the rhythm guitar parts & singing background vocals with such precision, & cool as a cucumber in the shadows of the stage.

In a risky move by including 16 different Singers & with only ONE full run-through & rehearsal with the full unit, the “who’s who” of the rotating Cast behind the Mic stand was certainly the most unpredictable yet exciting part of the 100-minute set. They were all stellar, but then there were some GREAT moments, highlights including Mal Irvine on full overdrive throughout “Sin City”, Jimmy Kunes’ bluesy pipes on “Problem Child”, & Dave Seubert’ full on Rock & Roll charisma on “If You Want Blood (You Got It). On the former, Mal boasted how he can still fit in his cut-off denim jacket 40 plus years later, one that he put the name of Bon on the back of it after his death, when he himself was only a teen.

On this night however, it was the Females that opened the most eyes, killing it on several of their performances: Sultry show MC Devon Marie tearing it up with such energy on “Riff Raff”, the raspy vocals of larger than life Maria Lina Canales on “T.N.T”, & the showstopping performance of “Whole Lotta Rosie” by Lena Hall, complete with her full-throttle prancing on-stage. Oh yeah, and then there was her outfit, a chic & hip denim recreation of something Bon would have sported in 1975.

The night concluded with an “everyone on stage” sing-a-long to “Highway To Hell”, closing out an evening that far exceeded my expectations! Top notch & A class musicians joining forces for a killer night of great songs celebrating a Rock & Roll legend – Bon, up in the heaven’s, I’m certain was downing a Pint or so, having a few drags on his Fags & laughing in his Scottish accent!

-Metal Walt

Here is exclusive Metal Mayhem ROC Video of highlights from the show:

SINGERS:
Jimmy Kunes - Problem Child
Mikki May - Highway To Hell
Devon Marie (Rubix Cube) - Riff Raff
Adrian Heirholzer - Touch Too Much
Mal Irvine - Sin City
Diane Lutz (StevieMac) - It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll)
Peter Shaw (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - Let There Be Rock
Ciaran Sheehan (Phantom Of The Opera) - The Jack
Chandler Mogel (Double Vision) - Shot Down In Flames
Lena Hall (TONY Winner) - Whole Lotta Rosie
Dave Seubert (Ten Ton Mojo) - If You Want Blood (You Got It)
Emily Duff - Girls Got Rhythm
Shilpa Ray - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Paul Bertolino - Love At First Feel
Cra Hopp - Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
Maria Lina Canales (Frida Kill) - T.N.T.

HOUSE BAND:
Paul McGilloway (All Zepped Up, Bad Co. & Beyond) – Lead Guitar
John Jackson (The Jayhawks, Ray Davies) – Rhythm Guitar
Greg Smith (Rhino Bucket) - Bass
Jules Radino ( Blue Oyster Cult)- Drums

Metal Mayhem ROC MERCH:

https://metalmayhemroc.etsy.com/

Metal Mayhem ROC SOCIALS:

https://metalmayhemroc.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@metalmayhemroc1851

https://www.facebook.com/groups/metalmayhemroc

https://www.instagram.com/metalmayhemroc/

https://twitter.com/MetalmayhemR

https://metaldevastationradio.com/

http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Bon Scott SOCIALS & merchandise LINKS:

https://www.bonscottofficial.com