PLANS to erect a statue of the late AC/DC singer Bon Scott in his Scottish hometown have been approved by councillors.
The 2.4m-high bronze statue, which will stand in Kirriemuir, Angus, is due to be unveiled at the annual Bonfest event in April, held to celebrate the singer's life. AC/DC backed the fundraising campaign to commemorate the singer who died in 1980, aged 33.
Fans succeeded in raising the £45,000 needed to erect the statue, which has been designed by John McKenna.
A memorial garden in honour of Bon Scott, will also be created.
The statue depicts Scott, in sleeveless denim jacket and very tight trousers, clutching a set of bagpipes – the instrument he played on the group’s song It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ’n’ Roll). McKenna previously designed the Jock Stein Memorial at Celtic Park in Glasgow.
The council received over 80 letters of support for the new statue.
Main points of support were that it would enhance existing tourism, boost the local economy and would visually improve the area.
Vivien Smith, head of planning and place at Angus Council told councillors: "The proposal would provide a new tourist attraction in the town, in a manner that is compatible with relevant development plan policy."
Bon Scott fronted AC/DC from 1974 until his death from acute alcohol poisoning in London.
In 2008, a lifesize bronze statue of him was erected in Fremantle, Western Australia. His family emigrated from Scotland to Australia in 1952.
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