Revealed: The unknown singer who almost replaced Bon Scott in AC/DC

Who auditioned back in the day to fill the vacant slot Bon Scott left behind ? Well not much has been lifted of that period of the Australian Rockers. I got this cool story article that talks with the man who nearly got the slot. But moreover it shows how the story went on after he didn't made it. Rock 'n' Roll still writes some of the most surprising stories with many twist and turns. 

It has been written by Rock Candy author Hojo and is taken of the latest issue number 25 of the Rock Candy magazine. You can order the print magazine directly at www.rockcandymag.com Each copy purchased online comes with a free download in pdf format. 

The front cover of Rock Candy issue 25.

In the latest issue of Rock Candy Magazine editor HoJo interviews the man who almost replaced legendary AC/DC frontman Bon Scott after the singer’s untimely death in 1980. 

Steve Burton was an unknown vocalist in Birmingham, England, earning a living working as a roadie for a number of bands, including Judas Priest. Two roadie friends from Birmingham, Terry Lee and Keith Evans, were working for AC/DC – Terry as lighting director and Keith as Angus Young’s guitar tech. When Bon died on 19 February 1980 both suggested ‘Burtie’ for the vacant vocalist’s slot. 

“I went down to London to audition for the band,” Burtie confirms in the Rock Candy Mag interview. “I got along fine with everyone and thought I did well, but for whatever reason I didn’t get the gig and it went to Brian Johnson, of course. But I must have made an impression on the band, because soon afterwards I got a call asking if I’d be interested in working with Angus and Malcolm Young’s nephew, Stevie. He was putting a new band together in Birmingham and Malcolm had told him he should get hold of me.” 

Stevie and Burtie ended up forming Starfighters, and within three months the band was offered the support slot on the UK leg of AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’ tour. Malcolm was so impressed with the group that he ended up working with Starfighters on a demo that led to the band signing to Jive Records. 

“We played the last show of the tour at the Victoria Apollo Theatre in London,” recalls Burtie. “And as soon as AC/DC had finished their set Malcolm came off stage, towelled himself down, threw his jacket on and jumped in the minibus with us. We went straight to Morgan Studios in Willesden and from 11 o’clock at night until nine the next morning we recorded with Malcolm helping us out. We did two songs, ‘Alley Cat Blues’ and ‘Rock ’Em Dead’, and those two songs got us signed to Jive.”

Starfighters recorded two albums for Jive, ‘Starfighters’ in 1981 and ‘In-Flight Movie’ in 1982, but success proved elusive and the group soon split. “I’d given up everything for the band,” says Burtie. “Because you know how it is. You’re on your way to stardom, you’re going to settle in America, all that stuff. I ended up working in my mate’s caff in Birmingham for two years flipping burgers!” 

The singer isn’t bitter, though, despite his former bandmate Stevie Young having gone on to replace Malcolm in AC/DC back in 2014. “I’ve never been jealous of anyone’s success,” says Burtie. “Whatever happens in life you’ve got to carry on, whether it be playing in a band or shovelling sh*t all day.” Read this, and many other fascinating stories – including how Ronnie James Dio nearly joined glam rock band Sweet – in issue 25 of Rock Candy Mag. 

About Rock Candy mag 

Rock Candy Mag is a 100-page, full-colour bi-monthly rock mag, created in the UK. It covers the sights, sounds and smells from the greatest era in hard rock music, the ’70s and ’80s. Put together by respected UK rock journalists Derek Oliver, Howard Johnson and Malcolm Dome – all frontline writers for the legendary Kerrang! magazine in the golden era – Rock Candy Mag is available in print format with a free digital download version for anyone who buys the mag online at www.rockcandymag.com.

CD Review: JC Crash - Electrified (2016)

Get down to this dirty classic rock 'n' roll and metal album and enjoy a good ride of tunes reminscent of old days but not forgetting the here and now. Life is here, life is now - check out JC Crashs new album!

Intoduction

This CD found the way into my postbox one day and made me curious with it's hairy child on the cover looking angry. Moreover the two snakes in the JC Crash logo were a eyecatcher so I was more than willing to risk a ear. A decision I shouldn't regret - the music won my heart from the start. It all centers around the saying inside the booklet "Legends never die" - dedicated to Bon Scott (1946-1980).

The cover of JC Crash's "Electrified" album, (c) by JC Crash, used with kind permission.

Summary

This album is a smasher to all those loving the pub rock sound that AC/DC made a big band back in the day. It's rough, dirty, hard and loud. The riffs are the core of the music. They constantly pump the energy that this release spreads in your mind along with the powerful vocals that are held in the style of Bon Scott's way of singing.

Nevertheless JC Crash's "Electrified" album is far more than "only" a hommage to glory days of the past. The production is held in today's modern and clear way without losing the mood of the old sound systems (which is perfectly represented by the picture of the speaker on the album backside). In contrast to typical releases of back in the day the record has far more variations to offer. You'll wonder how different the tunes sound like.

The album starts out fairly midtempo and traditionel. The lyrics of "She's no angel" are great - you should have a look inside the booklet of the CD and enjoy the little one night stand story all for yourselves.

"Gone but not forgotten" pays tribute to the Scott era again but shows how the band would transfer it to today's songwriting. It comes with a modern sounding riff and the tempo shows many variations throughout the whole duration. "Powder my soul" comes along with longer solos, something which is normally not to be found in music of such a genre where the riff and constant song structure dominate the music all the while.

"High 'n dry" could be a hit single in my ears. It's held in the midtempo and has a up to date modern melodic chorus inside. I guess this one could be in rotation for quite some time on rock radio stations. "Two minutes to midnight" stands out because of the blues influenced song structures. The refrain remains in your ears for a long time after listening.

"Bighead" is a good example on how the second half of the twelve tracks of the longplay sound like. Those numbers are held in the more straighter style with clear song structures all along the way and sing and scream along refrains with it. Both halfs of the record have something to offer and both are a bit different when compared to the other one. Have some re-listen and you'll know what I mean.

Purchase-Link

You can pick up a silver disc directly from the band's webshop for 12 Euro plus shipping and handling. Other alternatives are available through a digital download on portals such as Amazon, iTunes or Spotify.

Player

The Youtube albumtrailer is a good way to get a idea of most of the songs of "Electrified".


Contact data

Get in touch with JC Crash on Facebook, Twitter or see their homepage.