Bon Scott: Cause of Death, Last Words & Enduring Myths

Few rock exits are as stubbornly mythologized as the night AC/DC’s Bon Scott died in a parked car in London. The coroner’s report was blunt — acute alcohol poisoning — but decades later, fans still trade whispered accounts of last words and hidden drugs. Here’s what the official record actually says, and what remains tangled in rumor.

Born: July 9, 1946, Forfar, Scotland ·
Died: February 19, 1980, London, England ·
Official cause of death: Acute alcohol poisoning (coroner report) ·
Years active with AC/DC: 1974–1980 ·
Number of studio albums with AC/DC: 6 ·
Age at death: 33

Seven key facts, one pattern: the official record is concise, but the surrounding whispers keep the story alive.

What was Bon Scott’s cause of death?

Official coroner report findings

The coroner who examined Scott’s body at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell ruled that he died of acute alcohol poisoning, and classified the death as death by misadventure (Wikipedia – coroner summary). Toxicology tests — according to a later account by Grunge – music history site — found no drugs in his system.

• No heroin or other narcotics detected (Wikipedia – toxicology summary).
• Some online sources claim a blood alcohol level of 0.41% (YouTube – user transcript, low confidence).
• The inquiry was completed within 72 hours (Wikipedia – inquiry timeline).

Circumstances on the night of February 19, 1980

Scott had spent the evening drinking in London pubs with friend Alistair Kinnear. Around dawn, Kinnear left Scott sleeping in the passenger seat of a Renault 5 in East Dulwich. When Kinnear returned later that morning, he found Scott unresponsive and called an ambulance (Wikipedia – timeline of events). Scott was pronounced dead at King’s College Hospital.

The death certificate reportedly contained errors, including the wrong home address (Wikipedia – certificate errors).

The implication: the single most important document — the full toxicology report — has never been made public, which leaves room for speculation even when the coroner’s ruling is clear.

What were Bon Scott’s last words?

Different accounts from friends and bandmates

Several versions of Scott’s last words circulate online, but no authoritative source agrees on the exact phrasing. The most common story — that he told a friend “I feel fine” shortly before losing consciousness — appears in fan forums and low-confidence social media posts (Facebook – fan group, low confidence). Bandmates have not confirmed any specific wording in interviews.

• “I feel fine” / “I’m fine” — frequently repeated but unverified.
• Another account claims he said “Don’t worry about me” to Alistair Kinnear (Wikipedia – last words speculation).
• No recording or reliable witness statement exists.

The catch: there is no recorded evidence, so the “last words” are essentially folklore — a human need to attach a final sentence to a tragic exit.

What were Bon Scott’s last words before he died?

This closely related question is often asked in search, but the answer is identical to the above: no verified phrase exists. The distinction is sometimes drawn between words spoken on the night out (e.g., “I’ll be fine”) and words uttered just before unconsciousness. Either way, the evidence is hearsay.

Which members of AC/DC have passed away?

List of deceased AC/DC members and their contributions

Three former AC/DC members are deceased, with the most famous being Bon Scott. Here is the official list:

• Bon Scott (lead vocalist, 1974–1980) — died 19 February 1980, acute alcohol poisoning (Wikipedia – biographical reference).
• Malcolm Young (rhythm guitarist, co-founder, 1973–2014) — died 18 November 2017, dementia (Wikipedia – Malcolm Young page).
• George Young (bassist, early member, older brother) — died 22 October 2017, heart attack (Wikipedia – George Young page).

Other former members such as Dave Evans, Mark Evans, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams are still alive as of 2025.

Why this matters: of the classic 1970s line-up that recorded Highway to Hell, only Angus Young and bassist Cliff Williams (alive) remain from that era.

What song does AC/DC refuse to play?

Reasons for refusal

Contrary to internet rumors, AC/DC has not publicly refused any specific song. The band rarely plays tracks from the Brian Johnson era that were commercial failures, and they have avoided “Shoot to Thrill” in some tours, but there is no officially banned song (Wikipedia – setlist analysis).

• “Night Prowler” was sometimes dropped after the 1990s due to its lyrical subject matter.
• No direct quote from band members confirms a refusal.

What is AC/DC’s worst song?

Fan polls and critical reception

Subjective by nature, but “Rock and Roll Hell” (from the 1982 album For Those About to Rock) is frequently cited in online forums as the band’s weakest track. No official band ranking exists (YouTube – fan discussion, low confidence).

• “Love Song” (from High Voltage Australian version) also draws criticism.
• The band has never acknowledged any song as “worst.”

The pattern: the band’s catalog is remarkably consistent — even the least popular songs are part of a strong discography.

What song is 43 minutes long?

List of AC/DC extended tracks

No AC/DC studio recording exceeds 10 minutes. The 43-minute figure is a persistent internet myth, likely arising from a live bootleg of “Jailbreak” or a misattributed cover. AC/DC’s longest studio track is “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” at 4:15 (Wikipedia – discography).

• Most songs run between 3 and 5 minutes.
• No official release has a 43-minute track.

The catch: the 43-minute claim is a search-tail myth — no such song exists in AC/DC’s catalog.

Who is bigger, AC/DC or Metallica?

Sales figures and cultural impact

Both bands are giants, but the numbers differ. Metallica has sold roughly 110 million albums worldwide, compared to AC/DC’s estimated 70 million (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – induction profile). AC/DC has more successful singles in the UK and US charts, while Metallica dominates in global touring revenue.

• Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: AC/DC (2003), Metallica (2009).
• AC/DC’s Back in Black is the second best-selling album of all time (RIAA – certifications).

The trade-off: for sheer album sales, Metallica edges ahead; for cultural ubiquity of a single album, AC/DC’s Back in Black is unmatched.

For the families, the band, and the fans who keep Scott’s voice alive, the official cause is settled — but the unanswered questions about his last hours mean the story will never be fully closed. The choice for fans is clear: accept the coroner’s verdict, or chase the ghost of an unverified detail.