The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Kirriemuir comes alive for rock homage
Annual pilgrimage to Angus town to salute iconic AC/DC frontman
AC/DC fans from across the globe got the party started last night as they poured into Kirriemuir to pay homage to the town’s rock star son Bon Scott.
The Wee Red Town came to life against a backdrop of Harley-Davidson engines as the popular annual Bonfest got under way with performances from Rocker, Snappin’ Turtles and Sonnet 65.
Bonfest has been organised by local group DD8 Music every year since 2006 and the festivities continue today with Rocker jumping on board a lorry to recreate the video for AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top.
Pubs in Kirriemuir will be hosting live music today and tomorrow but the highlight of the festival will be AC/DC UK headlining tonight’s sold-out town hall gig, with support from Emerald Sunday and the Amorettes.
Today will also see a street market pop up from 11am, with a barbecue, Bonfest beers brewed by Kirrie Ales, face painting and family fun, including the Karen Laird School of Dance dancing to AC/DC tracks from 3.30pm.
Fans will also flock to the Gateway to the Glens Museum’s free exhibition. It features items belonging to Neil McDonald, who has the biggest AC/DC collection in the UK.
Bonfest committee chairman John Crawford said the festival has come a long way since it started off as a Saturday afternoon with a few local bands.
John believes Bon Scott is the greatest rock frontman of all time.
He said: “I still love AC/DC but, in my opinion, they are two different bands.
“I firmly believe that the best albums they made were of the Bon era – Powerage, High Voltage and Let There Be Rock were all just pure 70s rock.”
Infamous as a hard-living, headlinegrabbing star of stage and studio, Scott commanded the adoration and attention of millions.
He died in 1980 aged just 33, leaving a hole in rock music – but Bonfest keeps his spirit alive in Angus.
With brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, Ronald Bon Scott forged AC/DC’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest rock bands.
Fans continue to honour his contribution to the AC/DC success story 34 years after his premature death and flood Kirrie for a three-day event that has seen most local accommodation sold out for months.