The Reason AC/DC Refuse To Play “It’s A Long Way To The Top”

Bon Scott’s shocking death shocked the rock world and hit AC/DC hard. The singer died soon after a wild night out from “acute alcohol poisoning.” He was only 33 years old. It broke the fans’ hearts, especially since the band was about to become famous all over the world. Still, AC/DC believed Scott would’ve wanted them to carry on. And so, they did—but with one major exception: there’s one hit from Bon’s era that they’ve never played since his passing.

A Life on the Edge

Bon Scott had always lived fast. He wasn’t just wild on stage—his off-the-road lifestyle was just as intense. According to his former Fraternity bandmate, Bruce Howe, Scott’s most dangerous moments came during his downtime.

“That’s when he would start taking risks, doing wild things,” Howe said. “On days when he was bored, there was no future, there was only now. He didn’t give a bugger about whether he lived or died the next day. He’d try anything – magic mushrooms, marijuana, alcohol – and he would take risks on his motorbike.”

Without the structure of touring or recording, Scott often spiraled into reckless behavior. Sadly, those risks finally caught up with him.

The Song That Says It All

One song that perfectly captured Bon’s untamed spirit is “It’s A Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’N’ Roll).” It’s an AC/DC classic that celebrates the wild highs of rock life—while also hinting at the steep price that comes with it.

Former bassist Mark Evans noted how the song’s legacy has only grown since its release. “In time, it became iconic and associated with the band, but oddly enough the band doesn’t play it,” Evans shared. “It has become a lot bigger song in time than when it first came out.”

Angus Young also explained its deeper meaning: “‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ really summed us up as a band. It was the audience that really allowed us to even get near a studio.” That track opened doors for them—and helped define their identity.

One Final Performance

The last time AC/DC performed the song was at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1979—just weeks before Scott passed away. After that, they retired it out of respect. Brian Johnson, who stepped in as lead singer after Bon, believed playing it again wouldn’t feel right.

The track was so closely tied to Bon’s life and persona that revisiting it onstage felt off-limits. Though fans would love to hear it live, the band made a quiet but powerful choice to keep it off the setlist.

It’s a touching reminder that even after decades, Bon Scott remains at the heart of AC/DC. Some songs are more than just music—they’re memories. And this one? It’s Bon’s anthem.