Bon Scott Statue (Australia)

The life-size bronze statue of Bon Scott at Fishing Boat Harbour in Fremantle is the most visited of the several AC/DC and Bon Scott landmarks in the port city where he grew up. Sculpted by Greg James and unveiled in January 2008 on what would have been Scott's 62nd birthday, the statue depicts him in full rock performance mode -- chin raised, eyes half-closed, microphone in hand -- the image that defined him during the AC/DC years. It stands near the water in one of Fremantle's most popular public precincts, surrounded by restaurants and the working boats that give the harbour its character.

Fremantle has a legitimate claim on Bon Scott that goes beyond the usual relationship between a town and its famous export. Scott's family emigrated from Scotland in 1952 when he was six, settling first in Melbourne and then in Fremantle when his father found work there. He attended John Curtin College of the Arts, drifted through various bands, got into serious trouble with the law as a teenager, spent time in juvenile detention, and emerged as the kind of man the port town's rough working-class culture had shaped. Fremantle Cemetery, where Scott is buried, is a few kilometres from the harbour statue.

The Fishing Boat Harbour statue is freely accessible at all hours and is a focal point for fans completing the Fremantle Bon Scott circuit: the cemetery, the mural near the Federal Hotel, and the harbour statue. The harbour itself is a lively waterfront precinct with fish and chip restaurants and market stalls, making it a pleasant place to linger. The statue's inscription reads: 'R.B. 'Bon' Scott, 1946-1980, Rock Legend'.