AC/DC

     A group of old men came into town. Long graying hair, craggy faces, comfortable paunches and riding in SUV's,  they could have been anyone coming in from the beach or heading out to the hills.  But these guys are special.

   In Fremantle, there is a statue of a particular Scottish emigre' whom you might not expect to be immortalized in such a way. Not a famous explorer, founding father, politician, priest or pioneer.  He did not die heroically (indeed, he is the poster child for not downing bottles of liquor as if bottles of pop) nor did he die old. Charismatic, driven with an appetite for thrills, this bagpipe playing man captured Western Australian fancy in a big way. He is Bon Scott,  long dead leader of a band favored by college guys, AC/DC. 

   And the band plays on. Somehow, recordings are not enough for people who enjoy songs with titles like "Highway to Hell" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" so Bon's  bandmates still tour.  Angus Young, wearing his trademark schoolboy uniform onstage, doesn't hold up to close inspection anymore and frontman Brian Johnson doesn't need elastic vocal cords to howl out hits first sung 35 years ago.

   So, for two (I suppose) magical nights, Perthians were thrilled that AC/DC had come home.  Grandpas brought their sons who brought their sons to the concert. The Premier (Governor) of WA was in the mosh pit. The TV news channels did liveshots. Everyone seemed abuzz over the whole "Acca Dacca" thing.
   I don't get it, but there you have it. Perhaps another look at music here another day.