Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has always been vocal about his musical heroes. But when it comes to choosing his favorite band of all time, the guitarist has a clear answer: AC/DC, particularly the band’s classic lineup with the late Bon Scott at the helm.
Ian’s admiration for the Australian rock icons highlights the lasting influence of one of hard rock’s most celebrated frontmen and the unmistakable sound that helped define AC/DC’s early years.
A Lunchroom Listening Experience That Changed Everything
Ian traced his love for AC/DC back to his junior high school days in Queens, New York. He recalled hearing Bon Scott’s voice for the first time while listening to the band’s 1978 album Powerage in his school lunchroom.
The song that immediately caught his attention was “Rock ‘N’ Roll Damnation.”
From that moment, Ian knew he had discovered something special. He explained that AC/DC didn’t necessarily stand out because of an elaborate image or larger-than-life presentation. Instead, the band offered something different through its straightforward rock ‘n’ roll sound.
For Ian, Bon Scott made all the difference.
“I had never heard anything like it,” the guitarist explained in a video uploaded to the official Bon Scott YouTube channel, adding that AC/DC became his generation’s equivalent of Led Zeppelin and The Beatles.
He also emphasized that his admiration specifically centers on the band’s Bon Scott era, describing that period as his favorite music to listen to.
Bon Scott’s Lyrics Made AC/DC Different
Beyond his distinctive voice, Scott’s songwriting played a major role in winning Ian over.
The Anthrax guitarist particularly admired the way Bon delivered stories through his lyrics. Songs such as “It’s a Long Way to the Top” and “Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer” captured everyday experiences with an attitude that felt authentic rather than overly polished.
Ian even described Bon’s writing as “relatable and so real life and just hardcore – real. There’s no fluff, there’s no bull.”
Malcolm Young Taught Scott Ian How To Play Guitar
Scott wasn’t the only AC/DC member who left a lasting impression on Ian. Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young also played a crucial role in shaping his musical development.
In fact, Ian credited Malcolm with teaching him how to play rhythm guitar.
As a teenager, he spent countless hours listening to AC/DC records and playing along with Malcolm’s guitar parts. He eventually developed his own rhythm-playing approach by studying the late guitarist’s techniques.
Ian has previously called Malcolm the greatest rhythm guitarist of all time.
During a 2018 interview with Gretsch, he described the immediate excitement he still experiences whenever he hears AC/DC’s signature guitar chords.
He also explained that playing big, open chords gives him a different kind of satisfaction because Anthrax’s music relies heavily on downpicking, palm muting and fast alternate picking.
For Ian, returning to AC/DC’s music brings him back to the fundamentals that first inspired him to pick up a guitar.
Watch his full interview below.
