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Live Wire: Bon Scott: A Memoir by Three People Who Knew Him Best
From his early days with The Valentines, through to the rise of AC/DC, Live Wire gives us the real story of what it was like to be Bon Scott's friend, tour with him, and be part of the close-knit world out of which one of biggest bands of all time emerged. With Bon, there was always sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll, but this deeply personal insight also shows the humor, intelligence, and warmth of the man. From dilapidated apartments in inner Melbourne, through to the legendary early years of AC/DC, Live Wire is a revealing portrait of Bon, told by three of the people who knew him best. John Darcy was Bon's roadie and mate. Gabby is Darce's wife and was a close friend of Bon's. And Mary Renshaw was—as AC/DC's former bass player Mark Evans called her—Bon's soulmate and companion. As Bon said, it's a long way to the top. And Mary, Darce, and Gabby were with him every step of the way. They lived with him, they loved him, and this is how they remember him.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2015
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22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2016
Great book about Bon Scott before AC/DC, not as much info on the AC/DC days.
Fantastic stories about the Rock 'n Roll world and Australia in the 60's and 70's. Loved two of the authors, Darc and Gab's bits but didn't care for the third author, Mary.
Darc and Gab's bits were funny, honest and stayed on focus; the stories were about them but involved Bon, they didn't make anything up or speculate. They clearly knew and loved the man.
Mary, the third author, clearly also knew and loved the man. However her stories read like an old woman waffling and always, always, ALWAYS insisted that in some way she was involved with or caused all of the major decisions that affected Bon's life. The songs were about her. He told her things he told no one else. Big parts of her story read like they were made up or truths warped to make her more important than she actually was. Found it very irritating.
To sum up,
Darc's bit: 5/5
Gab's bit: 5/5
Mary's bit 3/5 (redeemed from a 1 or 2 by final chapters)
Fantastic stories about the Rock 'n Roll world and Australia in the 60's and 70's. Loved two of the authors, Darc and Gab's bits but didn't care for the third author, Mary.
Darc and Gab's bits were funny, honest and stayed on focus; the stories were about them but involved Bon, they didn't make anything up or speculate. They clearly knew and loved the man.
Mary, the third author, clearly also knew and loved the man. However her stories read like an old woman waffling and always, always, ALWAYS insisted that in some way she was involved with or caused all of the major decisions that affected Bon's life. The songs were about her. He told her things he told no one else. Big parts of her story read like they were made up or truths warped to make her more important than she actually was. Found it very irritating.
To sum up,
Darc's bit: 5/5
Gab's bit: 5/5
Mary's bit 3/5 (redeemed from a 1 or 2 by final chapters)
June 18, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable book to read for anyone interested in Bon Scott The only thing that turned me off was Mary Renford's insistence she was number one to the reader & that her friendship with Bon was that of soulmates even though Bon had a wife Irene and several girlfriends and lovers before and after his marriage during the course of this book,I think in her mind it was all wishful thinking as my belief is that they were just friends as anyone was that knew and had met Bon as he was just that kind of guy, a friendly sort of person. Other than this the book was an interesting read that kept me entertained for hours. I gave it a four star rating and would have given it a five star if it was'nt for Mary Renford's narcissism
October 21, 2016
I really liked this book, but lord it made me sad as much as it gave me joy.
Such a great read, but each author telling stories about Bon that made me want to cry from the loss of such a wonderful, funny and loveable larrkin that became famous as the lead singer of AC DC.
By the end of the book, I also felt sad at the loss of Bon and now feel like I have missed the chance to see a great talent evolve if Bon had lived.
Such a great read, but each author telling stories about Bon that made me want to cry from the loss of such a wonderful, funny and loveable larrkin that became famous as the lead singer of AC DC.
By the end of the book, I also felt sad at the loss of Bon and now feel like I have missed the chance to see a great talent evolve if Bon had lived.
May 27, 2017
Not so much a professional biography as a collection of scattered memoirs from those closest to AC/DC singer Bon Scott, with the majority of the book covering his bubblegum pop years with the band The Valentines. Oftentimes redundant, and the authors wander off to include their own biographies. I wasn't disappointed by this inexpensive book, but I'm happy to see others exist.
December 15, 2018
Interesting stories about Bob. But seemed to draw a lot on this from public interviews rather than personal insight. Timeline jumped around a lot, so it was a bit hard to follow. More information about the authors than Bon. Still interesting for big fans.
October 19, 2016
I had heard about a new book about Bon Scott on the radio and when I saw this new in the library I grabbed it. On reflection of the other Bon Scott titles, I may have confused it with 'My Bon Scott', which I probably should read now as well!
This was a really good book, written by three friends who knew Bon in his early rock and roll days. One was a roadie and two were fans, one of whom is still with the roadie. I was a bit younger than these people in the seventies, but they would be the age of older teenagers I saw as a 10-year-old and of whom I was fascinated! I remember the girls in the mini dresses and long white socks with lace on the top and guys, who like Bon, only ever wore jeans. No shoes or shirts. The stories of Bon never having any footwear to go into venues and having to undertake a quick hunt to buy thongs certainly reminded me of these times.
It was a good book. I enjoyed the different chapters from the different narrators. I liked the memories of certainl streets in Melbourne and early rock gig days and the movement away from 'Bubblegum Pop' to hard rock. These too brought back a lot of memories.
My only criticism was about the Go Set magazine top 40 updates and the constant rankings of the bands and the competitve nature of who was on top. I think a small part of that would have been enough.
The stories surrounding Bon's death were really sad. I really felt for him and his friends at home.
Thanks for bringing back some great seventies memories and keeping Bon the mate, the lover and the friend's memories alive.
This was a really good book, written by three friends who knew Bon in his early rock and roll days. One was a roadie and two were fans, one of whom is still with the roadie. I was a bit younger than these people in the seventies, but they would be the age of older teenagers I saw as a 10-year-old and of whom I was fascinated! I remember the girls in the mini dresses and long white socks with lace on the top and guys, who like Bon, only ever wore jeans. No shoes or shirts. The stories of Bon never having any footwear to go into venues and having to undertake a quick hunt to buy thongs certainly reminded me of these times.
It was a good book. I enjoyed the different chapters from the different narrators. I liked the memories of certainl streets in Melbourne and early rock gig days and the movement away from 'Bubblegum Pop' to hard rock. These too brought back a lot of memories.
My only criticism was about the Go Set magazine top 40 updates and the constant rankings of the bands and the competitve nature of who was on top. I think a small part of that would have been enough.
The stories surrounding Bon's death were really sad. I really felt for him and his friends at home.
Thanks for bringing back some great seventies memories and keeping Bon the mate, the lover and the friend's memories alive.
April 9, 2016
Absolutely loved this book. I admit I'm not a huge Acca Dacca fan but read an excerpt which really sucked me in so then just had to read the book. I'd like to say it was an eye opener but it details the kind of stuff I expected dear old Bon would have got up to. A must for AC/DC & music lovers alike. Very nostalgic.
January 2, 2016
Little bit of a slow start but warmed to be a very interesting read.
A lot more on Bon's time with The Valentines, so dovetailed well with Irene's book about Bon which was more around the Fraternity days.
Of course, AC/DC content as well.
A lot more on Bon's time with The Valentines, so dovetailed well with Irene's book about Bon which was more around the Fraternity days.
Of course, AC/DC content as well.
December 22, 2015
If you love reading about the Australian music scene in the 1970's. And you love AC/DC This is definately a summer read from you.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews