AC/DC frontman Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980.
Camera IconAC/DC frontman Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980. Credit: © Michael Putland / RetnaUK

Canning Highway closure rumoured to mark AC/DC frontman Bon Scott’s death for Perth Festival

PerthNow

Perth may have its very own Highway to Hell come festival time with rumoured plans to close a section of Canning Highway in honour of legendary AC/DC frontman Bon Scott.

The rumour revealed on 6PR’s Rumour File this morning reported plans to close a 10km stretch of Canning Highway from Canning Bridge through to East Fremantle on February 19, marking the 40th anniversary of Scott’s death in 1980.

The report speculated the length of the highway closed would feature 14 international bands playing AC/DC covers as part of the Perth Festival.

ACDC's original front man was a prolific letter writer, and these letters have now been revealed for the first time.

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Though theories surrounding the inspiration for the band’s iconic Highway to Hell song abound, the caller responsible for the rumour known only as “Highway to Hell” himself said promoters suggested it was named after Canning Highway.

6PR’s Steve Mills then chimed in with a rumour of his own.

“My understanding of the song was that the Leopold Hotel — which is on Canning Highway where the two hills come down — the boys used to play there or drink there and they’d look outside and people got run over and there were accidents there all the time,” he said.

A subsequent caller known only as “Paul” then “confirmed” the rumoured plans, saying he was involved in the logistics behind the closure.

Spokespersons from both City of Melville and Perth Festival denied speculation, with the latter stating only that, “All will be revealed when we announce the 2020 Festival program on October 31”.

However, Main Roads offered a glimmer of hope for die-hard AC/DC fans.

“Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority are aware of the proposal by Perth International Arts Festival, but are yet to receive official advice including an application pertaining to closures of Canning Highway,” the Main Roads spokesperson said.

Stay tuned.